Square Footage Calculator

Calculate the square footage of any space quickly and accurately. Perfect for flooring, painting, landscaping, and construction projects.

Imperial
Metric
🔲

Rectangle

Circle

📐

Triangle

🔶

Irregular

Pro Tip

For complex shapes, break down the area into simple geometric shapes (rectangles, circles, triangles) and add them together using the irregular shape option.

Results

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Enter Dimensions

Fill in the dimensions for your selected shape and click "Calculate Square Footage" to see the results.

Common Uses for Square Footage

🏠
Flooring

Calculate materials needed for tile, hardwood, carpet, or laminate flooring.

🎨
Painting

Determine how much paint you'll need for walls, ceilings, or exterior surfaces.

🌱
Landscaping

Plan for sod, mulch, or decorative stone coverage in your yard.

🏗️
Construction

Estimate materials for decking, roofing, concrete, or other building projects.

How to Calculate Square Footage

1

Measure Dimensions

  • For rectangular areas, measure the length and width
  • For circular areas, measure the radius (distance from center to edge)
  • For triangular areas, measure the base and height
2

Apply the Formula

  • Rectangle: Area = Length × Width
  • Circle: Area = π × Radius²
  • Triangle: Area = (Base × Height) ÷ 2
3

For Irregular Shapes

  • Divide the area into simple shapes (rectangles, circles, triangles)
  • Calculate the area of each section separately
  • Add all section areas together for the total square footage
4

Account for Waste

  • For most projects, add 5-10% extra for waste
  • For complex patterns or diagonal installations, add 15-20%
  • For irregularly shaped rooms, add 10-15%

Common Conversion Factors

1 square foot
= 0.093 square meters
1 square meter
= 10.764 square feet
1 square yard
= 9 square feet
1 square foot
= 0.111 square yards
1 acre
= 43,560 square feet
1 square foot
= 144 square inches

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate the square footage of a room?

To calculate the square footage of a rectangular room, measure the length and width of the room in feet, then multiply these two numbers together. For example, a room that is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide has 120 square feet (12 × 10 = 120). For irregularly shaped rooms, divide the space into rectangles, calculate each area separately, and add them together.

How much flooring do I need to buy?

After calculating the square footage of your space, add 5-10% extra for waste, cuts, and mistakes. For complex patterns like herringbone or diagonal installations, add 15-20% extra. For example, if your room is 120 square feet, you should purchase 126-132 square feet of flooring (adding 5-10%). Always check the manufacturer's recommendations, as some materials may require more overage.

How do I calculate square footage for paint?

For painting, calculate the square footage of each wall by multiplying its height by its width. Add all wall areas together, then subtract the area of windows and doors (typically 20 sq ft per door and 15 sq ft per window). One gallon of paint typically covers 350-400 square feet, so divide your total square footage by 350 to determine how many gallons you'll need. For textured surfaces or dark walls that need multiple coats, plan for additional paint.

What's the difference between square feet and cubic feet?

Square feet (sq ft) measures area - the size of a two-dimensional surface. It's used for flooring, paint, roofing, etc. Cubic feet (cu ft) measures volume - the amount of three-dimensional space. It's used for calculating soil, mulch, concrete, or other materials where depth is important. To convert from square feet to cubic feet, multiply the square footage by the depth in feet. For example, if you need 2 inches (0.167 feet) of mulch for a 100 sq ft garden, you'll need 16.7 cubic feet of mulch (100 × 0.167 = 16.7).

How accurate is this calculator?

This calculator provides highly accurate results based on the measurements you enter. However, the final accuracy depends on the precision of your measurements. For best results, measure each dimension twice and use a proper measuring tool. Remember that real-world spaces may have irregularities that affect the actual square footage. For critical applications like purchasing expensive materials or professional construction, consider having measurements verified by a professional.

Need help estimating larger projects?

Our team of experts can provide personalized assistance for complex construction projects.

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