Square Footage Calculator
Square Footage Calculator
Info: Calculates the total area in square feet (ft²) and estimates material cost including waste overage.
Report Bug In the US real estate and construction market, size equals value. Whether you are listing a home for sale or buying vinyl planks for a renovation, everything comes down to Square Footage (sq ft). The Square Footage Calculator does more than simple multiplication; it helps you estimate material needs accurately. Experienced contractors know that buying exactly 100 sq ft of flooring for a 100 sq ft room is a rookie mistake. You need to account for cuts, breaks, and corners.
From determining how many gallons of paint to buy (1 gallon covers ~400 sq ft) to checking if a contractor's quote is fair, this tool puts the tape measure power in your hands.
[Image of tape measure on blueprints]📐 The Contractor's Formula
The basic math is Length times Width, but the "Purchasing Formula" includes a safety margin.
(Order Total = Area + 10% Waste)
Variables Defined:
- Length (ft): The longest side of the room.
- Width (ft): The shorter side of the room.
- Waste Factor: Usually 10% for standard rooms, 20% for diagonal layouts.
🛠️ Scenario: The Living Room Renovation
You are replacing the carpet with hardwood in a 15' x 20' Living Room and a connecting 4' x 10' Hallway. How much flooring should you actually order?
[Image of floor plan diagram with room dimensions]| MATERIAL ESTIMATE SHEET Project: Smith Residence | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| AREA / ROOM | DIMENSIONS | NET SQ FT | NOTES |
| Living Room | 15' x 20' | 300 | Rectangular |
| Hallway | 4' x 10' | 40 | High Traffic |
| Total Net Area: | 340 sq ft | ||
| + Waste Factor (10%): | + 34 sq ft | (Cuts/Errors) | |
| ORDER QUANTITY | 374 sq ft | (Round to ~380) | |
Pro Tip:
