How to Calculate per Square Feet Rate

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Per Square Foot Rate Calculator

Calculate the cost per unit area for real estate, flooring, or construction materials.

Calculation Result

The rate per square foot is:

How to Calculate Rate Per Square Foot

Calculating the per square foot (PSF) rate is an essential skill for homebuyers, real estate investors, and DIY renovators. It allows you to compare the relative value of different properties or materials regardless of their total size.

The fundamental formula is simple:

Price per Square Foot = Total Cost ÷ Total Square Footage

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Determine Total Cost: This is the purchase price of the property or the total invoice amount for materials like hardwood or tile.
  2. Find the Total Square Footage: If it's not provided, measure the length and width of the area in feet and multiply them (Length × Width = Square Feet).
  3. Divide: Take the Total Cost and divide it by the Total Square Footage.
Real-World Example:
If you are looking at a home priced at $350,000 with a total living area of 1,750 square feet:
$350,000 / 1,750 = $200 per square foot.

Why the PSF Rate Matters

In real estate, the PSF rate helps you identify if a property is overpriced compared to the neighborhood average. In construction, it helps you estimate the budget for flooring, painting, or roofing projects. For instance, if you know the average tiling rate is $8 PSF and you have a 200 sq. ft. room, your estimated cost will be $1,600.

Important Considerations

  • Gross vs. Net Area: In commercial real estate, distinguish between "usable" square footage and "rentable" square footage which includes shared spaces.
  • Lot Size: For single-family homes, the PSF usually refers to the interior living space, not the total lot size including the yard.
  • Quality of Finish: A higher PSF rate doesn't always mean a bad deal; it might reflect premium materials, luxury upgrades, or a superior location.
var currentMode = 'simple'; function toggleAreaMode(mode) { currentMode = mode; if (mode === 'dim') { document.getElementById('simpleAreaInput').style.display = 'none'; document.getElementById('dimAreaInput').style.display = 'block'; } else { document.getElementById('simpleAreaInput').style.display = 'block'; document.getElementById('dimAreaInput').style.display = 'none'; } } function calculatePSF() { var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('totalPrice').value); var area = 0; var displayArea = 0; if (currentMode === 'simple') { area = parseFloat(document.getElementById('totalArea').value); displayArea = area; } else { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('lengthInput').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('widthInput').value); area = length * width; displayArea = area; } var resultBox = document.getElementById('psfResultBox'); var displayValue = document.getElementById('psfDisplayValue'); var breakdownText = document.getElementById('breakdownText'); if (isNaN(price) || isNaN(area) || area <= 0 || price < 0) { alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for both price and area."); resultBox.style.display = 'none'; return; } var psfRate = price / area; displayValue.innerText = "$" + psfRate.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + " /sq ft"; breakdownText.innerHTML = "Total Cost: $" + price.toLocaleString() + " Total Area: " + displayArea.toLocaleString() + " sq. ft."; resultBox.style.display = 'block'; resultBox.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' }); }

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