The formula
How it works
Find the floor area of a room or space from its length and width, then multiply up for several identical areas and add a price to estimate the cost of flooring, turf or paint.
FAQ
How do I handle an L-shaped room?
Split it into rectangles, work out each area separately, and add them together. Enter one rectangle, note the area, then repeat for the next and sum the results.
Should I add extra for waste?
Yes — for tiling, flooring or turf, add about 10% to allow for cuts, offcuts and mistakes. Order the total area plus that margin so you do not run short.
How do I convert square feet to square meters?
Divide by about 10.76, since one square metre equals roughly 10.76 square feet. Switching the units toggle does this conversion for you automatically.
How do I measure a room for accurate square footage?
Measure the length and width at floor level with a tape measure or laser measure, in a straight line wall to wall, and round to the nearest inch or centimetre for consistency.
Does square footage include closets and alcoves?
For most DIY and material-ordering purposes, yes — measure them as separate small rectangles and add their area to the total.
How many square feet are in an acre?
One acre equals 43,560 square feet, which is useful when converting a large lot or land measurement down to a room-sized comparison.
What is the difference between area and square footage?
They mean the same thing — square footage is simply area expressed in square feet rather than square metres or another unit.
About the square footage calculator
This calculator works out the area of a rectangular space from its length and width, and can total up several identical areas and estimate a cost. Area — measured in square feet or square metres — is the number you need whenever you buy something that covers a surface, from carpet and laminate to turf, tiles and paint. Getting it right means ordering the correct amount without wasteful over-buying or a frustrating shortfall.
How to use it
Choose feet or metres, then enter the length and the width of the space. The calculator multiplies them to give the area — a room 12 ft by 10 ft is 120 square feet. If you have several identical areas, such as ten matching rooms, set the quantity and it multiplies the total for you. Add a price per square foot or metre to see the material cost. For odd shapes, break them into rectangles and add the areas.
The formula
The area of a rectangle is length times width, . Both measurements must be in the same unit, so the answer is in square feet if you worked in feet, or square metres if you worked in metres. For multiple identical areas you multiply by the count, and to convert between systems, one square metre is about 10.76 square feet. Total cost is simply the area times the price per unit area.
Where it is used
Square footage is the everyday currency of building and property. Estate agents quote floor area to price and compare homes, and buyers use it to judge value per square foot. Builders and DIYers use it to order flooring, tiles, turf, insulation and paint in the right quantity, and landscapers use it for patios, decking and lawns. It also drives rents for offices and shops, which are commonly priced per square foot or metre.