Home Square Footage Calculator
Enter the length and width of each major area in your home to calculate its total square footage. If an area doesn't apply, leave its fields blank.
Main Living Area
Kitchen
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 2
Bathroom
Hallway / Other Area
Understanding and Calculating Your Home's Square Footage
Calculating the square footage of your home is a fundamental step for various reasons, whether you're buying, selling, renovating, or simply trying to understand your property's value. It represents the total area of livable space within your home, typically measured from the exterior walls.
Why is Square Footage Important?
- Property Valuation: Square footage is a primary factor in determining a home's market value. Larger homes generally command higher prices, assuming other factors like location and condition are comparable.
- Renovation Planning: When planning an addition or remodeling project, knowing the existing square footage helps you visualize the scope and potential impact of your changes.
- Insurance Costs: Home insurance premiums can sometimes be influenced by the size of your home, as larger homes may cost more to rebuild.
- Energy Efficiency: A larger home typically requires more energy to heat and cool, so understanding your square footage can help estimate utility costs.
- Real Estate Listings: Accurate square footage is crucial for real estate listings to provide potential buyers with correct information and avoid disputes.
How to Measure Your Home's Square Footage Accurately
While professional appraisers use specific standards (like ANSI Z765-2021), you can get a good estimate yourself by following these steps:
- Gather Your Tools: You'll need a tape measure (preferably a long one, like 25-50 feet), a notepad, a pen, and possibly a helper.
- Draw a Floor Plan: Sketch out a rough floor plan of your home, room by room. Don't worry about artistic quality; just focus on capturing the shape of each space.
- Measure Each Room/Area:
- For rectangular or square rooms, measure the length and width of the room from wall to wall. Multiply these two numbers to get the square footage of that room (Length × Width = Area).
- For irregularly shaped rooms (L-shaped, etc.), break them down into smaller, manageable rectangles. Measure each rectangle separately and then add their areas together.
- Include hallways, closets, and utility rooms in your measurements.
- Exclude Non-Livable Spaces: Generally, square footage calculations for real estate purposes exclude areas that are not considered "livable." This typically includes:
- Garages (attached or detached)
- Unfinished basements or attics
- Outdoor spaces like patios, decks, and porches
- Spaces with ceilings lower than 7 feet (though local regulations may vary)
- Sum It Up: Add the square footage of all the livable areas you've measured to get your home's total estimated square footage.
Tips for Accuracy
- Measure Twice: Always double-check your measurements to minimize errors.
- Be Consistent: Use the same measuring technique for all rooms (e.g., always measure to the inside of the wall).
- Account for Openings: Don't subtract for doorways or small openings within a room; measure the full wall-to-wall dimensions.
- Consider Multi-Story Homes: For multi-story homes, calculate the square footage of each floor separately and then add them together.
- When in Doubt, Consult a Professional: If you need a highly accurate and legally recognized square footage, especially for selling your home, it's best to hire a professional appraiser.
Example Calculation:
Let's say you have a small home with the following dimensions:
- Main Living Area: 20 feet long x 15 feet wide = 300 sq ft
- Kitchen: 10 feet long x 12 feet wide = 120 sq ft
- Bedroom 1: 12 feet long x 10 feet wide = 120 sq ft
- Bedroom 2: 11 feet long x 10 feet wide = 110 sq ft
- Bathroom: 8 feet long x 5 feet wide = 40 sq ft
- Hallway/Other: 15 feet long x 3 feet wide = 45 sq ft
Total Square Footage: 300 + 120 + 120 + 110 + 40 + 45 = 735 sq ft
Using the calculator above, you can easily input your own home's dimensions to get a quick and accurate estimate of its total square footage.