To find the total square footage of one or more areas, you first calculate the square footage of each individual space and then add those measurements together.
Calculating Square Footage: The Basics
Square footage is a measurement of area, representing the size of a two-dimensional space. It tells you how many one-foot-by-one-foot squares fit within that space.
For a simple rectangular or square area, calculating the square footage is straightforward. According to The Home Depot, you "multiply the length of the space in feet by the width of the space in feet."
- Formula: Square Footage = Length (in feet) × Width (in feet)
Example: If a room is 10 feet long and 12 feet wide, the square footage is 10 feet × 12 feet = 120 square feet.
How to "Add" Square Feet for Multiple Areas
Adding square feet typically refers to finding the total area of several different spaces or a single complex-shaped space broken down into simpler parts. You cannot simply add lengths or widths together; you must calculate the area of each section first.
Here's the process for finding the total square footage of multiple rooms or an irregular area:
- Divide the Area(s): If you have multiple rooms or one irregularly shaped room (like an L-shape), divide the total space into simple rectangular or square sections.
- Measure Each Section: For each individual section you've created:
- Measure the length in feet.
- Measure the width in feet. Ensure your width measurement is perpendicular to your length measurement. As mentioned in the reference, measure the dimensions needed for the calculation process.
- Calculate Square Footage for Each Section: Using the formula (Length × Width), calculate the square footage for each individual section.
- Add the Section Areas: Add the square footage measurements of all the individual sections together to get the total square footage of the entire area.
Step-by-Step Example
Let's say you want to find the total square footage of two rooms:
- Room 1: 15 feet long, 10 feet wide
- Room 2: 12 feet long, 8 feet wide
- Calculate Room 1 Area: 15 feet × 10 feet = 150 sq ft
- Calculate Room 2 Area: 12 feet × 8 feet = 96 sq ft
- Add Areas Together: 150 sq ft + 96 sq ft = 246 sq ft
The total square footage of the two rooms is 246 sq ft.
Handling Irregular Shapes
For areas that aren't simple rectangles, visualize how you can break the space down. For example, an L-shaped room can be split into two rectangles.
| Section | Length (ft) | Width (ft) | Square Footage (Length x Width) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Section | 20 | 10 | 200 sq ft |
| Side Section | 8 | 5 | 40 sq ft |
| Total | - | - | 240 sq ft |
(Note: Ensure the dimensions you use for the smaller rectangles correspond to the actual layout and don't double-count or miss any area.)
Why is this important?
Knowing how to calculate and add square footage is essential for various tasks, including:
- Estimating materials (flooring, paint, wallpaper)
- Determining property size for buying or selling
- Planning furniture layout
- Understanding heating/cooling needs
By breaking down spaces and applying the simple multiplication and addition steps, you can accurately determine the total area in square feet.
