Understanding methods to calculate the sq. ft of a home is important whether or not you’re shopping for, promoting, or renovating a house. Sq. footage determines property worth, tax assessments, and even how a lot flooring or paint you want. However measuring a house’s dimension isn’t at all times so simple as it appears. Some areas rely towards complete sq. footage, whereas others, like garages and unfinished basements, might not. For instance, in cities like San Francisco and Chicago, native constructing codes can affect what counts as livable house.
This Redfin information walks you thru methods to measure sq. footage precisely and solutions widespread questions, like “Is a garage included in square footage?”
How is the sq. footage of a home calculated?
Sq. footage is usually measured following the ANSI (American Nationwide Requirements Institute) pointers, which offer a standardized technique to calculate dwelling dimension. The ANSI technique requires measuring the outside dimensions of the home, together with all completed, livable areas.
Right here’s the way it works:
Measure the outside: Professionals measure from the skin partitions to calculate complete sq. footage. Wall thickness is included within the complete however not subtracted.
Embrace completed areas: Any heated, livable house that meets top and accessibility necessities is counted. This consists of primary dwelling areas, bedrooms, loos, and completed attics with not less than 7 ft of clearance.
Exclude non-livable areas: Garages, unfinished basements, and areas requiring you to go away the principle home aren’t included within the dwelling’s sq. footage. Nevertheless, completed basements could also be famous individually in listings.
Measure every ground individually: For multi-story properties, every degree’s livable house is measured and added collectively to find out the whole sq. footage.
Whereas ANSI pointers are extensively used, native actual property markets might have totally different guidelines. All the time examine regional rules to make sure correct measurements, particularly when itemizing or appraising a house.
4 easy steps to measure the sq. footage of your property
Step 1: Collect your instruments
To measure a house’s sq. footage, you’ll want:
A measuring tape or laser distance measurer
Pencil and paper (or a digital note-taking app)
Calculator
A laser measurer is very helpful for giant areas and gives extra exact measurements.
Step 2: Divide your property into measurable sections
As a substitute of making an attempt to measure the complete home in a single go, break it into smaller, rectangular sections equivalent to particular person rooms, hallways, and closets. This technique minimizes errors and makes calculations simpler. For non-rectangular rooms (like L-shaped areas), divide them into smaller rectangles and measure individually.
Step 3: Measure every room’s dimensions
For every room or part, comply with these steps:
Measure the size and width in ft.
Multiply the size by the width to get the sq. footage of that part.
For instance, if a bed room is 12 ft lengthy and 10 ft huge, the calculation is:
12 x 10 = 120 sq. ft
You’ll then repeat this for each part of the home.
Step 4: Add up the sq. footage
When you’ve measured every part, add all of the values collectively to get the house’s complete sq. footage.
Instance of calculating the whole sq. ft of a home:
Room
Measurement (ft)
Sq. Ft
Front room
15 × 20
300
Kitchen
10 × 15
150
Bed room 1
12 × 10
120
Bed room 2
12 × 12
144
Rest room
8 × 6
48
Hallways & closets
N/A
100
Complete sq. footage
–
862 sq. ft.
What counts in direction of the sq. footage of a home?
Sq. footage usually consists of completed, livable areas inside the house. Right here’s what often counts and doesn’t rely in official measurements:
Included in sq. footage of a house:
✅ Completed bedrooms, dwelling rooms, kitchens, and loos✅ Heated and cooled areas (e.g., central HVAC or everlasting heating supply)✅ Completed basements (in the event that they meet livable house requirements)✅ Enclosed sunrooms (if heated and completed)
Not included in sq. footage of a house:
❌ Is a storage included in sq. footage? No, garages aren’t counted in sq. footage as a result of they aren’t completed, livable areas.❌ Unfinished basements, even when enclosed❌ Attics or lofts that don’t meet top necessities (usually not less than 7 ft excessive)❌ Porches, decks, and patios (except enclosed and heated)
Verify native pointers
For those who’re promoting a house, examine native actual property pointers, as definitions of “livable square footage” can differ.
As an illustration, properties in Los Angeles have particular guidelines for measuring livable house, significantly on the subject of balconies, garages, or basements, which is probably not counted within the complete sq. footage except they’re absolutely completed. NYC has stringent constructing codes that differentiate between “habitable” and “non-habitable” areas, that means sure rooms or areas won’t rely towards the whole sq. footage in the event that they don’t meet particular standards (like home windows or ceiling top). And in Seattle, the principles round livable sq. footage could also be influenced by zoning legal guidelines and constructing permits, with sure areas like lofts or small upstairs rooms being counted in another way from customary dwelling areas.
measure irregular-shaped properties and areas
If your property isn’t a easy rectangle, don’t fear. You’ll be able to nonetheless measure the sq. footage of your property, however you’ll have to make use of just a few totally different strategies.
L-shaped areas: Divide them into two rectangles, measure individually, and add their sq. footage.
Triangular areas: Measure the bottom and top, then use the system:
(Base×Top)/2
Round areas (like turrets or spherical rooms): Measure the diameter (the space throughout the circle by its middle), then divide the diameter by 2 to get the radius. Then use the system:
π×r2
measure multi-story properties
Every degree needs to be measured individually and added collectively. The whole sq. footage consists of all completed areas throughout all flooring however excludes unfinished attics and basements.
measure open ground plans
For open-concept areas with out clear room divisions:
Measure the total size and width of the open space.
Subtract areas not included within the livable house (e.g., stairwells, unheated sunrooms).
Why correct sq. footage issues
Understanding methods to measure sq. footage appropriately is vital for:
Actual property listings: Patrons examine properties primarily based on worth per sq. foot.
Dwelling value determinations: Sq. footage impacts property worth.
Renovations: Understanding the precise dimensions helps with supplies and budgeting.
Property taxes: Native governments assess taxes primarily based on your property’s sq. footage.
Sq. footage performs a vital position in a house’s worth, so each patrons and sellers ought to make sure the quantity is correct. Even small discrepancies can affect dwelling pricing, value determinations, and purchaser negotiations. Right here’s what every social gathering ought to think about:
For sellers: keep away from overstating or understating your property’s dimension
Confirm, don’t assume: Even you probably have builder ground plans, the as-built sq. footage can differ from the unique designs on account of adjustments made throughout building. All the time measure independently or rent an expert appraiser.
Keep away from pricing pitfalls: Itemizing your property with incorrect sq. footage can result in mispricing, which could scare off patrons in the event that they later discover discrepancies throughout an appraisal or inspection.
Authorized and moral concerns: Misrepresenting sq. footage (even unintentionally) might result in authorized disputes or purchaser calls for for a lower cost. Some states have disclosure legal guidelines requiring sellers to offer correct dwelling measurements.
For patrons: don’t rely solely on itemizing numbers
Verify the measurements: Actual property listings typically pull sq. footage from tax data, which is probably not up to date or correct. Ask for current value determinations or measure the house your self.
Know what’s included: Some listings might embrace non-livable areas like completed basements, sunrooms, or enclosed patios within the complete sq. footage. Verify what’s counted, particularly in states the place guidelines differ.
Appraisal discrepancies can have an effect on financing: If the appraiser measures a decrease sq. footage than what’s listed, it might affect mortgage approval and residential worth assessments, resulting in renegotiations.
