How to Calculate Square Footage
Quick Answer
For a rectangular room:
- Square footage = Length (ft) × Width (ft)
- Square metres = Length (m) × Width (m)
Example: A room 12 ft long and 10 ft wide = 12 × 10 = 120 sq ft.
To convert sq ft to sq metres: multiply by 0.0929. 120 sq ft × 0.0929 = 11.15 m².
1 sq ft = 0.0929 m² | 1 m² = 10.764 sq ft
Calculating the square footage or square metres of a room is essential for buying flooring, tiles, carpet or paint. It also comes up in property listings, rental agreements and renovation quotes. Use the free Area Converter on CalConvs to switch between sq ft, sq metres, acres and hectares.
Rectangular and Square Rooms
Area = Length × Width. Measure both dimensions at the longest points.
Example: Kitchen 4.2 m long and 3.8 m wide. Area = 4.2 × 3.8 = 15.96 m². In sq ft: 15.96 × 10.764 = 171.79 sq ft.
L-Shaped Rooms
Divide the L shape into two rectangles. Calculate the area of each rectangle separately. Add the two areas together.
Example: Rectangle 1: 5 m × 4 m = 20 m². Rectangle 2: 3 m × 2 m = 6 m². Total = 26 m².
Triangular Rooms or Sections
Area = (Base × Height) ÷ 2
Example: Triangular corner room with base 4 m and height 3 m. Area = (4 × 3) ÷ 2 = 6 m².
Circular Rooms
Area = π × radius² (π ≈ 3.14159)
Example: Circular room with diameter 5 m (radius = 2.5 m). Area = 3.14159 × (2.5²) = 19.63 m².
How Much Flooring Do You Need?
Always add a wastage allowance on top of the calculated area.
| Material | Wastage to Add |
|---|---|
| Plain tiles or vinyl | 5 to 10% |
| Patterned tiles | 10 to 15% for pattern matching |
| Carpet (fitted) | 10 to 15% for fitting and seams |
| Laminate or hardwood flooring | 10% for cuts and wastage |
| Large format tiles (60 cm+) | 15% minimum due to large cut waste |
Example: Room area 20 m², laminate flooring (+10%). Flooring needed = 20 × 1.10 = 22 m². If sold in packs covering 2.5 m²: 22 ÷ 2.5 = 8.8 packs. Round up: order 9 packs.
Square Footage in Property and Real Estate by Country
- United States: Property listed in square feet (sq ft). Floor area includes all finished living space.
- United Kingdom: Property listed in sq ft and sq metres. Estate agents use both. Floor area calculations follow RICS guidelines.
- Australia: Property listed in square metres (m²). Land area in square metres for urban plots, hectares for rural.
- India: Flats listed in sq ft in most cities. Carpet area vs built-up area vs super built-up area are three different measurements used.
- Pakistan: Property listed in square yards, marla and kanal. 1 marla = 272.25 sq ft = 25.29 m². 1 kanal = 20 marla = 5,445 sq ft.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate square footage if the room is not a perfect rectangle?
Divide the room into regular shapes (rectangles, triangles). Calculate each section separately. Add all sections together for the total area.
How many square metres is 1,000 square feet?
1,000 square feet equals 92.9 square metres. Calculation: 1,000 × 0.0929 = 92.9 m².
What is the average room size in square metres?
A typical bedroom is 10 to 15 m² (107 to 161 sq ft). A typical living room is 15 to 30 m² (161 to 323 sq ft). A typical kitchen is 8 to 15 m² (86 to 161 sq ft).
Related Tools
- Area Converter: sq ft, m², acres, hectares and more
- Length Converter: measure room dimensions in any unit
- All Unit Converters: 74 converters on CalConvs