How to calculate square feet

Remember when you told your math teacher you’d “never need to know how to do this in the real world”? Well, turns out some things you do. If you’ve ever attempted a project, you know that it takes some figuring to be sure you have adequate supplies — not too few subway tiles, and definitely not way too many. Fortunately, learning how to calculate square feet isn’t as tough as a physics class. And much more rewarding.

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What is square footage?

One square foot is an area that measures one foot-by-one-foot: a square. When you measure the square footage, you’re calculating how many one-foot squares there are, or how much area there is overall. You can then use this number to determine how many bags of landscaping materials you need, for instance, or to determine if your king-size bed will fit when you’re looking at floor plans. 

Calculating square footage

Learning how to measure square footage for a room is simple — just stretch the measuring tape from one side of the room to the other, holding it straight and tight. If you’d prefer, opt for a laser measuring tool or download an app which makes it even easier. Record the length and width. 

Then, to calculate the square footage, multiply those two figures together. Say the space is 10 feet wide by 12 feet long — the room is 120 square feet. If you are covering your kitchen with vinyl plank flooring, for example, you’ll need to purchase at least enough to cover that amount. If one box covers 20 square feet, you’ll need six boxes minimum.

Measuring odd dimensions

If the area is not a perfect square or rectangle, it’s a bit trickier to do a square foot calculation. But still not calculus scary. In this case, divide the room into sections. Measure the length and width of similar areas. For instance, if your room looked like the state of Utah:

• Mentally cut off the northern tip so you have two squares
• Measure that top portion, then calculate its square footage
• Now measure the bottom area, then calculate its square footage
• Then, add those two figures together 

So, if the top space is 6-feet-by-4 feet, it is 24 square feet. The bottom space is 12-feet-by-6-feet, or 36 square feet. Add 24 and 36 — you’ll need enough flooring to cover 60 square feet. 

Get a little extra

Experts suggest adding 5 to 10% more to your final number, whether it’s for wallpaper or carpet, to allow for mistakes or matching patterns. It’s also handy to have some left over for later repairs. If you end up with significantly more than you needed, sell it on KSL Classifieds.

Calculating home square footage

Determining your home square footage should be easy then, right? Just measure the outside walls and you have it. Sorry, it’s a little more complicated — but still completely doable. A home’s true square footage is usually considered the actual living area, excluding garages, attics, patios, etc.

As a result, there could be oddly shaped spaces. To make calculating home square footage manageable, again mentally convert the rooms into squares and rectangles. Determine the square footage for each section, then add all those figures together.

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Will it fit?

Knowing a room’s square footage is also useful when arranging furniture. Will that huge sectional fit into your media room? Or down the stairwell to get it there?

Measure the length and width of the piece to determine its footprint — how much floor space it will cover. You may want to take the item’s height into account as well, particularly if you have high or low ceilings or are planning on stadium seating.

Ready to find the place to test your DIY and measuring skills? Search KSL Homes to find both new and existing properties to buy or rent.