When it comes to buying, selling, or renovating a home, understanding the square footage is crucial. Knowing how to calculate the square footage of a house is an essential skill that can help you make well-informed decisions and optimize the usage of available space. In this article, we will guide you through the process of calculating the square footage of a house step by step.

Step 1: Measure the length and width of each room

To begin, you need to measure the length and width of each room in your house. This includes bedrooms, living areas, bathrooms, kitchen, hallways, and any other enclosed spaces such as utility rooms or closets.

Step 2: Multiply length by width for each room

Once you have precise measurements for each room, calculate the area by multiplying the length by the width. This will give you an estimate in square feet (sqft) for that specific room.

For example:

Length = 10 feet

Width = 12 feet

Area = Length x Width = 10 x 12 = 120 sqft

Step 3: Add up all individual areas

After determining the area of each individual room, add up these figures to arrive at a total combined area. This accumulated number represents your entire house’s square footage.

For example:

Living Room: 200 sqft

Kitchen: 150 sqft

Bedroom 1: 120 sqft

Bedroom 2: 100 sqft

Bathroom: 50 sqft

Total Area = 200 + 150 + 120 +100 +50 = 620 sqft

Step 4: Include outdoor living spaces (Optional)

If you want an even more accurate calculation that includes outdoor living spaces such as porches or patios, measure those areas separately and add them to your previous result.

Step 5: Calculate gross living area (Optional)

To evaluate the gross living area (GLA) of your house, which only includes heated spaces, simply exclude any room or area that does not have heating, such as a garage or storage shed.

(Living Room + Kitchen + Bedroom 1 + Bedroom 2 + Bathroom) = GLA

Keep in mind that the GLA is often used by real estate agents to list and market the property, so it should only include heated living spaces.

Final Thoughts

Calculating square footage of a house may seem like a daunting task at first, but with careful planning and attention to detail, it can be accomplished easily by following the steps outlined above. Understanding your home’s square footage allows you to make better decisions when purchasing, selling, or renovating. Plus, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for your living space overall.