Area Calculator
Calculate area from dimensions (length x width) or convert between square feet, square meters, acres, and hectares. Perfect for real estate, flooring, and land measurement.
Area Measurement Guide
Area measures the size of a two-dimensional surface. In the US, square feet (sq ft) is the standard unit for residential and commercial properties, while acres are used for land parcels. Internationally, square meters (m2) and hectares (ha) are the norm. Understanding area units is essential for real estate, construction, landscaping, and flooring projects.
Area Calculation Formulas
Rectangle: Area = Length x Width
Triangle: Area = Base x Height / 2
Circle: Area = pi x radius-squared (3.14159 x r2)
Trapezoid: Area = (Base1 + Base2) x Height / 2
Example: A room 14 ft x 18 ft = 252 sq ft = 23.4 m2
Area Unit Conversion Table
| From | To | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| Square feet (sq ft) | Square meters (m2) | 0.0929 |
| Square meters (m2) | Square feet (sq ft) | 10.764 |
| Acres | Square feet (sq ft) | 43,560 |
| Acres | Hectares (ha) | 0.4047 |
| Hectares (ha) | Acres | 2.471 |
| Hectares (ha) | Square meters (m2) | 10,000 |
| Square yards (sq yd) | Square meters (m2) | 0.8361 |
| Square miles | Square kilometers | 2.59 |
US Home & Property Size Reference
| Property Type | Typical Size (sq ft) | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment | 300-600 sq ft | 28-56 m2 |
| 1-bedroom apartment | 600-900 sq ft | 56-84 m2 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 900-1,400 sq ft | 84-130 m2 |
| Average US home | ~2,014 sq ft (median) | ~187 m2 |
| Average new build | ~2,430 sq ft | ~226 m2 |
| Standard lot (suburban) | 7,000-10,000 sq ft | 650-930 m2 |
| Football field (US) | 57,600 sq ft | 5,351 m2 |
| 1 acre | 43,560 sq ft | 4,047 m2 |
Flooring & Material Estimation Guide
- Step 1: Measure each room's length and width in feet. For irregular shapes, break the room into rectangles and add the areas.
- Step 2: Add 10% for standard installations (cutting waste, breakage, and spare tiles for future repairs).
- Step 3: For diagonal or herringbone patterns, add 15-20% waste factor.
- Step 4: Divide total area by coverage per box/bundle (printed on the product packaging) to determine quantities.
- Paint coverage: 1 gallon of paint typically covers 350-400 sq ft per coat. A 12x14 ft room with 8 ft ceilings has about 416 sq ft of wall area (minus windows/doors).
Gross vs. Net Area in Real Estate
In US residential real estate, listings typically quote gross living area (GLA), measured from the exterior walls and including all finished living space. Garages, unfinished basements, and attics are usually excluded. In commercial real estate, the rentable area (based on BOMA standards) includes a proportionate share of common areas, while the usable area excludes shared spaces. The "loss factor" (difference between rentable and usable) typically ranges from 15-25% in commercial buildings.
Land Area Quick Reference
- 1 sq ft = 0.0929 m2
- 1 sq yd = 9 sq ft = 0.836 m2
- 1 acre = 43,560 sq ft = 4,047 m2 = 0.4047 ha
- 1 hectare = 10,000 m2 = 2.471 acres = 107,639 sq ft
- 1 sq mile = 640 acres = 259 hectares = 2.59 km2
- Standard city block (US): ~2-5 acres depending on city
Important Notes
- Always verify which area measurement a listing uses: gross, net, rentable, or usable
- Square footage in real estate appraisals follows ANSI Z765 standards -- only above-grade finished living area counts
- Lot sizes may be quoted in sq ft, acres, or fractions of an acre depending on the region
- When comparing international properties, be aware that different countries measure area differently (interior vs. exterior walls, inclusion of balconies, etc.)