1. Area = Length × Width
2. Area = '+l+' ft × '+w+' ft
3. Area = '+area+' sq ft
1. Area = '+l+' × '+w+' = '+area+' sq ft
2. Total Cost = Area × Price
3. Total Cost = '+area+' × $'+p+'
4. Result = $'+totalCost.toFixed(2)+'
1. Net Area = '+l+' × '+w+' = '+area+' sq ft
2. Waste (10%) = '+area+' × 0.10 = '+waste.toFixed(2)+' sq ft
3. Total Material = '+area+' + '+waste.toFixed(2)+' = '+totalMaterial.toFixed(2)+' sq ft
4. Total Cost = '+totalMaterial.toFixed(2)+' × $'+p+' = $'+totalCost.toFixed(2)+'
Using the Sq Foot Calculator
Whether you are measuring a single room for new carpet, estimating the size of a backyard for landscaping, or calculating the total livable space of a home, this sq foot calculator is designed to provide fast and accurate results. By simply entering the length and width of an area, you can determine the total square footage and even estimate the total cost of materials like flooring, paint, or turf.
To get the most accurate results, ensure you are measuring in feet. If you have measurements in inches, divide them by 12 first to convert them to feet before entering them into the calculator.
- Length (ft)
- The longest dimension of the rectangular space you are measuring, expressed in decimal feet.
- Width (ft)
- The shorter dimension of the area, perpendicular to the length, expressed in decimal feet.
- Price per Sq Ft ($)
- (Optional) The unit cost of the material you plan to purchase. This allows the tool to function as a budget estimator.
How It Works: The Square Footage Formula
The fundamental math behind a sq foot calculator is straightforward multiplication. For any rectangular or square area, the formula is:
Area (sq ft) = Length (ft) × Width (ft)
If you are calculating total costs, the formula extends to:
Total Cost = Area × Price per Square Foot
- Standard Units: Always use feet for both dimensions to get square feet directly.
- Flooring Waste: Professionals usually recommend adding 10% to your total square footage to account for cuts, breaks, and waste during installation.
- Irregular Shapes: If your room is not a perfect rectangle, break it down into smaller rectangles, calculate each area separately, and then add them together.
Real-World Calculation Example
Scenario: You want to install hardwood flooring in a master bedroom that measures 14 feet long and 16 feet wide. The flooring you chose costs $6.50 per square foot.
Step-by-step solution using the sq foot calculator:
- Enter Length: 14 ft
- Enter Width: 16 ft
- Calculate Area: 14 × 16 = 224 sq ft
- Add Waste (Optional but recommended): 224 + (224 × 0.10) = 246.4 sq ft
- Calculate Cost: 246.4 sq ft × $6.50 = $1,601.60
- Final Result: You need to buy approximately 247 sq ft for a total cost of $1,601.60.
Common Questions
How many square feet is a 12×12 room?
A 12×12 room is exactly 144 square feet. This is calculated by multiplying 12 (length) by 12 (width).
How do I convert inches to square feet?
If you measured in inches, multiply the length (in) by the width (in) to get square inches, then divide that result by 144 (since there are 144 square inches in a square foot). Alternatively, divide each individual dimension by 12 first, then multiply them.
Why do I need to add a "waste factor"?
When installing materials like tile or laminate, you will inevitably have to cut pieces to fit corners or edges. Those off-cuts are often unusable. A 10% waste factor ensures you don't run out of material mid-project, which is especially important if the product's dye lot or batch might change later.
How do I calculate square footage for a circle?
To find the square footage of a circular area, measure the radius (distance from the center to the edge) in feet. The formula is Area = π × r². For example, a circle with a 10-foot radius is roughly 314.16 square feet.