How Do You Calculate Square Footage? (Formula & Steps)
Square Footage Calculator
What is Square Footage?
Square footage is a measurement of area, most commonly used to describe the size of a room, building, plot of land, or any 2D surface. It is simply how many squares of 1 foot by 1 foot can fit into a given space. Every real estate listing, construction blueprint, or flooring/painting job uses square footage to measure and price out the project.
One square foot (1 sq ft or ft²) is the area of a square that is exactly 1 foot on each side. For example, a room 10 feet by 10 feet has an area of 100 square feet.
Formula or Logic Behind Square Footage Calculator
The standard formula to calculate square footage (area in sq ft) of a rectangular shape is:
Area (sq ft) = Length (in feet) × Width (in feet)
To work with other units:
- Convert inches to feet: value (in feet) = value (in inches) ÷ 12
- Convert centimetres to feet: value (in feet) = value (in cm) ÷ 30.48
- Convert metres to feet: value (in feet) = value (in meters) × 3.28084
Example:
If a wall measures 15 feet long and 12 feet wide:
Area = 15 × 12 = 180 sq ft
Common Room and Area Sizes in Square Feet
| Length | Width | Area (Sq Ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 10 ft | 100 |
| 12 ft | 12 ft | 144 |
| 15 ft | 10 ft | 150 |
| 12 ft | 15 ft | 180 |
| 20 ft | 10 ft | 200 |
| 12 m | 5 m | 646 |
| 10 in | 10 in | 0.69 |
| 100 ft | 100 ft | 10,000 |
Steps to Use the Square Footage Calculator
- Enter the required values for length and width, and select their units (feet/inches/metres/cm).
- Click on the 'Calculate' button.
- Get instant results showing area in square feet along with a step-by-step breakdown.
Why Use Vedantu’s Square Footage Calculator?
Vedantu’s Square Footage Calculator is easy to use, mobile-friendly and designed for students, homeowners, and professionals. Instantly get accurate area measurements – no complicated math required! Our calculator is trusted and referenced by teachers, built to NCERT and CBSE standards, and regularly verified by maths educators.
Real-life Applications of Square Footage
Understanding square footage is essential in many scenarios:
- Property buying/selling (home sizes, plot measurements)
- Interior renovations – planning tiles, floors, carpets, paint, wallpaper, or furniture fit
- Garden landscaping and fencing
- Construction loan estimations
- Science projects measuring area
- Commercial spaces (shops, malls, offices) rentals
You can also use this tool while preparing for exams, especially for questions on area conversion, real estate math, or any topic involving the calculation of surface area.
Want to explore more helpful maths tools? Check out these useful pages on Vedantu: Area of Rectangle, Square Root Finder, Table of 8, Factors of 12, Algebra Topics
FAQs on Calculate Square Footage Easily Online
1. How do you calculate square footage?
To calculate square footage, multiply the length of a space by its width. Both measurements must be in the same units (e.g., feet, inches, meters). The result is the area in square units. For example, a room 10 feet long and 12 feet wide has an area of 120 square feet (10 ft x 12 ft = 120 sq ft).
2. What is square footage in maths?
In mathematics, square footage (or square feet, sq ft, or ft²) is a unit of area measurement. It represents the amount of space contained within a two-dimensional shape. It's calculated by multiplying the length and width of a rectangle or other shape, using the appropriate formula for that shape's area. It’s frequently used in real-world applications to calculate the size of rooms, land plots, and more.
3. How many square feet is a 12x12 room?
A 12x12 room is 144 square feet. This is calculated by multiplying the length (12 feet) by the width (12 feet): 12 ft x 12 ft = 144 sq ft.
4. What does sq ft mean?
Sq ft is an abbreviation for square feet, a unit of area measurement commonly used in the United States and other countries. One square foot is equal to the area of a square with sides that are each 1 foot long.
5. How to calculate square feet from meters?
To convert square meters to square feet, first convert meters to feet: 1 meter equals approximately 3.28 feet. Then, calculate the area in square feet by multiplying the length and width (both in feet). Alternatively, multiply the area in square meters by 10.764 to directly get the area in square feet.
6. What is the formula for calculating the square footage of a triangle?
The formula for calculating the area of a triangle is: Area = (1/2) * base * height. Make sure both the base and height are measured in the same unit. Once you've found the area, if the units are not feet, convert them to feet (12 inches = 1 foot) to determine the area in square feet.
7. How do I calculate square footage for irregular shapes?
Calculating the square footage of irregular shapes requires dividing the shape into smaller, regular shapes (like rectangles or triangles), calculating the area of each, and then summing the areas. For highly irregular shapes, more advanced techniques (like using a planimeter or digital tools) might be necessary.
8. What is the difference between square feet and cubic feet?
Square feet measure area (two-dimensional space), while cubic feet measure volume (three-dimensional space). Square footage is length x width; cubic footage adds depth: length x width x depth.
9. How many square feet are in a square yard?
There are 9 square feet in 1 square yard. Since 1 yard is equal to 3 feet, a square yard is 3 feet x 3 feet = 9 square feet.
10. How do I use a square footage calculator?
Most square footage calculators require you to input the length and width of the area you're measuring. Choose the appropriate unit (feet, inches, meters, etc.). The calculator will then perform the calculation (length x width) and display the result in square feet. Some calculators allow you to add multiple areas for a total calculation.
