Inches to Square Feet Calculator
Calculate surface area and project costs instantly
Total Square Footage:
0.00 sq ft
Estimated Material Cost:
$0.00
Total Square Inches: 0 sq in
How to Convert Inches to Square Feet
When measuring a room, a countertop, or a garden bed, we often take measurements in inches because they are more precise for smaller spaces. However, most materials like flooring, tiles, and turf are sold by the square foot. This calculator simplifies the conversion process.
The Conversion Formula
To calculate square footage from inches, you must first find the total square inches and then divide by the number of square inches in one square foot (144).
Area (Sq Ft) = [Length (in) × Width (in)] / 144
Why 144? Since 1 foot equals 12 inches, a square foot is 12 inches by 12 inches. 12 × 12 = 144.
Practical Example
Imagine you have a tabletop that measures 48 inches long and 24 inches wide:
- Multiply length by width: 48 × 24 = 1,152 square inches.
- Divide by 144: 1,152 ÷ 144 = 8 square feet.
- If your wood costs $10 per square foot, your total cost would be $80.00.
Measuring Tips for Accuracy
- Always Add Overrun: For flooring or tile projects, it is standard practice to add 10% to your total square footage to account for cuts, waste, and mistakes.
- Be Consistent: Ensure both measurements are in inches. If you have a measurement in feet and inches (e.g., 5′ 2″), convert the feet to inches first (5 × 12 = 60 + 2 = 62 inches).
- Irregular Shapes: For L-shaped rooms, break the space into smaller rectangles, calculate each separately, and add the results together.