How to calculate square footage?

Calculating square footage can be invaluable in many scenarios—be it buying flooring, painting walls, designing a space, or any of its many uses! Understanding how to calculate square footage will save money and time! Measuring square footage is easier than you think with our step-by-step guide!

What Is Square Footage

It measures the area of any given space in square feet and gives an idea of the dimensions of any given room, house, or plot of land.

Know Your Square Footage to Succeed;

• Estimate material costs
• Plan furniture layouts
• Meet building requirements

Tools You Will Require 

Before getting underway, collect these essential tools.

• Utilizing either a tape measure or laser measure.
• Make use of a calculator (or use your phone).
• Pen and paper will give you the answers.

How to Calculate Square Footage Step by Step

Here are the steps for measuring and calculating square footage:

Step One: Determine Length

Using your measuring tape and survey the length of the room from wall to wall using foot measurements; write this figure down as soon as completed.

Step Two: Calculating Width 

To take an accurate measure, step two is measuring the width of a room from side to side and noting its number.

Step Three: Multiply Length by Width

Multiply the length by width to estimate square footage.

Example: If a room measures 10 feet long by 12 feet wide you could estimate its square footage with this method.

Length = 10 feet

Width = 12 feet

Square footage = 10 × 12 = 120 square feet

Handling Irregular Spaces

Not all spaces can be divided neatly into rectangles; therefore, for irregularly shaped areas that space is divided into sections and calculate each section’s square footage before adding together all your totals.

Example of L-Shape Room:

• Widen up the area into two rectangles to create an L-shape in your space.
• Measure both length and width for every segment of a project.
• Calculate the square footage for both sites.
• Add the results together until an accurate total has been arrived at. 

This method ensures a more precise result.

How to Measure Multiple Rooms

If you are measuring an entire house or apartment:

• Measure each room separately.
• Write down the square footage for each.
• Add them up for an estimate of the total area.

This approach works well when creating blueprints or estimating home value.

Tips to Take Accurate Measures

• Utilize an assistant: Allowing someone else to help hold your measuring tape can greatly enhance accuracy and precision.
• Measure twice: To reduce errors, double-check all numbers before entering them in an Excel document or making calculations.
• Convert inches to feet: If your measurements include inches, divide by 12 to convert to feet.

Example: 8 feet 6 inches = 8 + (6/12). Thus 8.5 feet equals an accurate measure.

Why the Square Footage Matters

Homeowners, renters, and professionals all understand that square footage plays a significant role. This factor impacts:

• Real estate pricing
• Renovation budgets
• Interior design plans

knowing how to calculate square footage empowers you to make informed decisions about real estate pricing, renovation budgets, and interior design plans.

In search of roof installation services around Edmonton? Our experts at A2ZRoofing ensure top-quality materials and professional service for lasting protection!

The Bottom Line

How to calculate square footage? – Calculating square footage is an incredibly straightforward yet essential task, which allows you to accurately evaluate any space by measuring its length and width and multiplying them both together, taking into account irregular shapes where applicable.

Now you are well prepared to tackle your next project with confidence!Read more: How to calculate square feet roof?