House Square Footage Calculator
Enter the dimensions of each room or section to calculate the total area.
How to Calculate the Square Footage of a House
Calculating the square footage of a house is a fundamental skill for homeowners, buyers, and DIY enthusiasts. Whether you are ordering new flooring, selling your home, or checking property tax assessments, accuracy matters. Most houses are not perfect rectangles, so the best way to measure is to break the home down into smaller, manageable sections.
The Basic Square Footage Formula
For any rectangular room, the formula is simple:
If you have a room that is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide, the total area is 120 square feet.
Step-by-Step Measuring Guide
- Gather Tools: You will need a laser measure or a long tape measure, a notepad, and a calculator.
- Measure Room by Room: Measure the length and width of every finished room. Stick to the interior walls for individual room size, or exterior walls if calculating the gross living area (GLA).
- Handle Irregular Shapes: If a room has an L-shape, divide it into two rectangles. Calculate each separately and add them together.
- Account for Closets: Don't forget to include closet depths in your measurements if you want the total floor area.
- Total the Sum: Add the square footage of all rooms together to get the house total.
– Living Room: 15′ x 20′ = 300 sq ft
– Kitchen: 10′ x 12′ = 120 sq ft
– Bedroom: 12′ x 12′ = 144 sq ft
Total: 564 sq ft
Converting Inches to Feet
If your measurements include inches, you must convert them to decimals before multiplying. To do this, divide the number of inches by 12.
- 3 inches = 0.25 feet (3/12)
- 6 inches = 0.5 feet (6/12)
- 9 inches = 0.75 feet (9/12)
Example: A room that is 10 feet 6 inches wide should be calculated as 10.5 feet.
What counts as "Square Footage"?
In real estate, "finished square footage" usually refers to areas that are heated, cooled, and finished (drywall, flooring, ceiling). Typically, unfinished basements, garages, and open porches are not included in the total living area (GLA) calculation, though they add value to the property.