House Square Footage Calculator
| Room | Dimensions | Area (sq ft) |
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Total Rooms Added:
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Total Square Footage:
0.00 sq ft
Estimated Total Value/Cost:
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How to Calculate the Square Footage of a House
Calculating the square footage of a house is a fundamental skill for homeowners, real estate agents, and DIY enthusiasts. Whether you are buying a home, planning a renovation, or ordering new flooring, accuracy is key to avoiding expensive mistakes.
The Basic Formula
For a standard rectangular room, the formula is simple:
Length (ft) × Width (ft) = Square Footage (sq ft)
If you have a room that is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide, the calculation is 12 × 10 = 120 square feet.
Step-by-Step Measurement Guide
- Clear the Path: Ensure your measuring tape can run flat along the floor from wall to wall.
- Measure Length and Width: Use a tape measure or laser distance tool to find the longest and shortest sides of the room.
- Handle Irregular Shapes: If a room is "L-shaped," break it into two smaller rectangles. Calculate the area of each separately and then add them together.
- Include Closets and Hallways: Don't forget these spaces! Measure each as its own rectangle and add it to the house total.
- Exclude Unfinished Spaces: In many real estate markets, unfinished basements, garages, and attics are calculated separately from "Gross Living Area."
Practical Example: Multi-Room House
Imagine you are measuring a small apartment with the following dimensions:
- Living Room: 15 ft x 20 ft = 300 sq ft
- Kitchen: 10 ft x 10 ft = 100 sq ft
- Bedroom: 12 ft x 14 ft = 168 sq ft
- Bathroom: 5 ft x 8 ft = 40 sq ft
Total Square Footage: 300 + 100 + 168 + 40 = 608 sq ft.
Calculating Material Costs
Once you have your total square footage, you can estimate costs for projects like flooring or painting. Simply multiply your total square footage by the cost of the material per square foot. If luxury vinyl plank flooring costs $4.50 per square foot, a 608 sq ft apartment would require approximately $2,736 in materials (excluding waste and labor).