How to find the square footage of a room
By the Tapepal teamUpdated 5 min read
Quick answer
Measure the length and the width in feet and multiply them. A 12 by 15 ft room is 180 sq ft. Split odd shapes into rectangles and add them up.
On this page5 sections
Rectangular rooms
- Measure the lengthWall to wall along the longest side, in feet.
- Measure the widthWall to wall the other way.
- Multiply12 ft × 15 ft = 180 sq ft.
L-shaped and odd rooms
Draw the room roughly on paper. Split it into rectangles, measure each one, and add the areas. The room above is 35 + 96 = 131 sq ft.
Inches, feet and square yards
| If you have | Do this |
|---|---|
| Feet and inches | Turn inches into feet: 6 in = 0.5 ft |
| Square inches to sq ft | Divide by 144 |
| Square feet to square yards | Divide by 9 |
Scan it instead.Walk the room once with Tapepal. Any shape, every corner, in square feet.Get Tapepal
Buying flooring
Add 10% for cuts and mistakes, or 15% for diagonal layouts. For 131 sq ft, buy about 144 sq ft.
Free toolSquare footageAny room shape, split into rectangles and added up for you.Or get the floor plan
With your iPhone265 sq ft, with every wall.Tapepal draws the plan as you walk the room. Needs an iPhone with LiDAR.
Questions
Do I include closets?
For flooring, yes, if the floor continues into them. For heating or listings, follow the rules you are working to.
How do I measure a room with a bay window?
Measure the main rectangle, then the bay as its own rectangle or half-circle, and add them.
How many square feet in a square yard?
Nine. A square yard is 3 ft × 3 ft, and carpet is often priced by the square yard.
Was this guide helpful?
