How Do You Calculate Square Footage of a House

by

House Square Footage Calculator

Enter the dimensions (in feet) for each section of your house. You can add up to 4 sections below. For more, simply add their square footage manually.

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

function calculateSquareFootage() { var totalSqFt = 0; // Section 1 var s1Length = parseFloat(document.getElementById("section1Length").value); var s1Width = parseFloat(document.getElementById("section1Width").value); if (!isNaN(s1Length) && !isNaN(s1Width)) { totalSqFt += (s1Length * s1Width); } // Section 2 var s2Length = parseFloat(document.getElementById("section2Length").value); var s2Width = parseFloat(document.getElementById("section2Width").value); if (!isNaN(s2Length) && !isNaN(s2Width)) { totalSqFt += (s2Length * s2Width); } // Section 3 var s3Length = parseFloat(document.getElementById("section3Length").value); var s3Width = parseFloat(document.getElementById("section3Width").value); if (!isNaN(s3Length) && !isNaN(s3Width)) { totalSqFt += (s3Length * s3Width); } // Section 4 var s4Length = parseFloat(document.getElementById("section4Length").value); var s4Width = parseFloat(document.getElementById("section4Width").value); if (!isNaN(s4Length) && !isNaN(s4Width)) { totalSqFt += (s4Length * s4Width); } document.getElementById("totalSquareFootageResult").innerHTML = "Total Livable Square Footage: " + totalSqFt.toFixed(2) + " sq ft"; } // Initial calculation on page load for default values window.onload = calculateSquareFootage;

Understanding and Calculating Your Home's Square Footage

Knowing the accurate square footage of your house is crucial for many reasons, whether you're buying, selling, renovating, or simply trying to understand your home's value and utility costs. Square footage represents the total area of livable space within your home, measured in square feet.

Why is Square Footage Important?

  • Real Estate Value: It's one of the primary factors determining a home's market value. A larger square footage generally commands a higher price.
  • Renovations and Projects: Contractors often quote projects (like flooring, painting, or roofing) based on square footage.
  • Utility Costs: Larger homes typically require more energy to heat and cool, impacting your utility bills.
  • Property Taxes: In some areas, property taxes are partially based on the size of your home.
  • Insurance: Homeowner's insurance premiums can be influenced by the total area of your dwelling.

How to Measure Your Home's Square Footage Accurately

Calculating square footage involves breaking down your home into simple rectangular or square sections, measuring each, and then summing them up. Here's a step-by-step guide:

  1. Gather Your Tools: You'll need a tape measure (preferably a long one, 25-30 feet), a notepad, a pen, and possibly a calculator.
  2. Draw a Floor Plan: Sketch a rough outline of each floor of your house. Don't worry about artistic quality; focus on capturing the shape of each room or distinct area.
  3. Measure Each Section:
    • For each rectangular or square room/area, measure its length and width in feet. Measure from wall to wall.
    • If a room has an irregular shape (e.g., an L-shape), divide it into smaller, manageable rectangles. Measure each smaller rectangle separately.
    • Round your measurements to the nearest inch or tenth of a foot for better accuracy (e.g., 10 feet 6 inches is 10.5 feet).
  4. Calculate Area for Each Section: Multiply the length by the width for each section (Length × Width = Square Footage).
  5. Sum All Sections: Add up the square footage of all the individual sections you measured. This will give you the total livable square footage for that floor.
  6. Repeat for Each Floor: If your house has multiple stories, repeat the process for each floor and then add the totals from all floors together.

What to Include and Exclude

Generally, "livable square footage" includes heated, finished areas of your home. Here's a common breakdown:

  • Include: All finished rooms (bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, finished basements/attics with adequate ceiling height).
  • Exclude: Unfinished basements, garages, attics without proper flooring/finishing, outdoor spaces (patios, decks, porches), and areas with ceiling heights below 7 feet (though this can vary by local code).

Using the Calculator

Our House Square Footage Calculator simplifies this process. Simply enter the length and width (in feet) for up to four distinct sections or rooms of your house. The calculator will automatically sum these areas to provide your total estimated square footage. If your house has more than four sections, you can calculate the additional sections manually and add them to the calculator's result.

Example Calculation:

Let's say your house has the following main sections:

  • Living Room: 20 feet long x 15 feet wide = 300 sq ft
  • Kitchen/Dining: 12 feet long x 10 feet wide = 120 sq ft
  • Master Bedroom: 25 feet long x 20 feet wide = 500 sq ft
  • Second Bedroom: 8 feet long x 7 feet wide = 56 sq ft

Using the calculator with these values, the total square footage would be 300 + 120 + 500 + 56 = 976 sq ft.

While this calculator provides a good estimate, for official purposes like appraisals or listings, it's always best to consult with a professional appraiser or real estate agent who can provide a certified measurement.

Leave a Comment