Square Footage Calculator
Enter the dimensions of your room to calculate the total area.
Example: 12 ft 6 in
Example: 10 ft 0 in
Enter the price of flooring or paint per sq ft
Total Area
0
Square Feet (ft²)
Estimated Total Cost
$0.00
How to Calculate Square Footage of a Room
Calculating the square footage of a room is a fundamental skill for home improvement projects, such as installing new flooring, painting walls, or purchasing furniture. The basic formula for a rectangular area is simple: Length × Width = Square Footage.
However, real-world rooms often involve inches and fractions. To get an accurate measurement, follow these steps:
- Measure the Length: Use a tape measure to find the longest distance across the floor from one wall to the opposite wall.
- Measure the Width: Measure the distance across the floor in the perpendicular direction.
- Convert Inches to Decimals: If your measurement is 10 feet 6 inches, divide the inches by 12 (6 ÷ 12 = 0.5). Your measurement is 10.5 feet.
- Multiply: Multiply the decimal length by the decimal width to find the total square feet.
Example Calculation
Suppose you have a bedroom that measures 12 feet 4 inches long and 10 feet 8 inches wide.
- Length: 12 + (4 / 12) = 12.33 feet
- Width: 10 + (8 / 12) = 10.67 feet
- Calculation: 12.33 ft × 10.67 ft = 131.56 square feet
Tips for Irregularly Shaped Rooms
If your room is not a perfect rectangle (e.g., L-shaped or has alcoves), the best strategy is to divide the room into smaller, manageable rectangles. Calculate the square footage of each section individually and then add the totals together.
Pro Tip: When buying flooring or tile, experts recommend adding a "waste factor" of 10% to your total square footage to account for cuts, mistakes, and future repairs.