Calculating the living area in square feet is an important task in real estate appraisals, leases or space planning. All usable rooms are measured and added together to determine the exact total area. This guide explains step by step how to calculate the living area in square feet and what to look out for.
Calculator
Calculation: Length (l) * Width (b) = Surface area2
Table
| Length | Width | |
|---|---|---|
| 5ft | 3ft | 15ft2 |
| 4ft | 4ft | 16ft2 |
| 7ft | 5ft | 35ft2 |
| 10ft | 4ft | 40ft2 |
| 8ft | 6ft | 48ft2 |
All information is without guarantee
Use calculator:
- Enter the length of the living space in feet (ft).
- Enter the width of the living space in feet (ft).
- Click on "generate" to get the result.
Calculating the living space in square feet
The living space of a house or apartment is a decisive factor when it comes to the value of a property, planning renovations or furnishing furniture. In many countries, especially in the USA, the living space is measured in square feet (ft²). This unit indicates how large a certain area is and is crucial for determining the price, rent or use of a living space. But how do you calculate the living space in square feet?
1. Basics of area calculation
To calculate the living space in square feet, the floor plan of the property is first required. Each individual room area is determined and later added together. The living space is the sum of all usable rooms, such as the living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. In general, only closed rooms that are habitable are taken into account.
The area is calculated by multiplying the length and width of each room: Area (in square feet) = Length (in feet) × Width (in feet)
2. Steps to calculate the living space in square feet
Step 1: Measure rooms individually
Each room should be measured individually. To do this, measure the length and width in feet. If a room is irregularly shaped, it can be helpful to divide it into simpler shapes such as rectangles or squares and calculate the individual areas separately. The results of these sub-areas can then be added together to get the total area of the room.
Example: A living room is 15 feet long and 12 feet wide. The area of the room is: 15 ft × 12 ft = 180 ft2
Step 2: Add all the areas
After the areas of all the rooms have been determined, they are added together to get the total living space in square feet. This method takes into account all the usable interior spaces of the property.
Example:
- Living room: 180 ft²
- Bedroom 1: 120 ft²
- Bedroom 2: 100 ft²
- Kitchen: 80 ft²
- Bathroom: 40 ft²
The total living space is: 180 + 120 + 100 + 80 + 40 = 520 ft2
Step 3: Consider special features
It is important to note that certain areas such as balconies, terraces, basements, or garages are often not included in the living space calculation unless they are fully enclosed and habitable. Certain local building codes or real estate guidelines may determine what counts as living space and what does not.
3. Converting other units of measurement
If the measurements are in another unit, e.g. meters, they must first be converted to feet. One meter is approximately 3.281 feet. The formula for conversion is: Width in feet = width in meters × 3.281
The area in square feet can then be calculated as described above.
Example: A room has a length of 5 meters and a width of 4 meters.
5 m × 3.281 = 16.405 ft
4 m × 3.281 = 13.124 ft
The area in square feet is: 16.405 ft * 13.124 ft = 215.4 ft2
4. Practical tips for calculating area
- Measure accurately: Use a tape measure that shows feet and inches to make the measurements as accurate as possible.
- Create a sketch: A simple sketch of the floor plan can help keep track of the individual measurements and ensure that no area is forgotten.
- Use electronic tools: Digital measuring devices or apps can make measuring and converting units easier. 5. Importance of calculating living space
The accurate calculation of living space in square feet is not only important for real estate purchases and sales, but also for rental agreements, renovation projects or when choosing the right furniture. Correctly specifying the living space ensures transparency and is a decisive factor in the value and usability of a property.
Overall, calculating the living space in square feet is a simple but crucial task for anyone who works with real estate or wants to get a better overview of their living space.