How to Calculate Area in Square Feet

Understanding how to measure area in square feet (ft2) is not only highly beneficial for business and real estate dealings but also helpful for excelling in your upcoming geometry exam. To calculate the area in square feet of a space, you simply need to find the square footage of all the different sections of that space and then add them up. If you’re wondering how to measure square footage, follow these steps.

Divide the space into manageable sections. If you're having difficulty calculating the square footage, the problem might be that you're working in an area that's not just a simple rectangle with one length and width. The space may include various protruding squares or have an irregular shape. All you need to do is break the space down into squares or rectangles. To calculate the total square footage of the entire area, you'll need to find the square footage of each section and then add them together.

• Use faint lines to separate different sections.
• Label the areas as A, B, and C for easier identification.

Measure the length and width of the first space. Using a measuring tape or a ruler, determine the length and width of the first space you’ve created – Space A.

• The length of the space is 12 feet, and the width is 15 feet.

Multiply the length of the first space by its width. To find the area in square feet, simply multiply the length by the width, just like calculating the area of a rectangle.

• Example: 12 feet x 15 feet = 180 square feet

Measure the length and width of the second space, referred to as Space B. The length of Space B is 20 feet, and the width is 10 feet.

Multiply the length of the second space by its width. The result will give you the area of the second space in square feet. This is how you can find the square footage of Space B:

• Example: 20 feet x 10 feet = 200 square feet.

Measure the length and width of the third space, Space C. The length of Space C is 20 feet, and the width is 35 feet.

Next, multiply the length of the third space by its width. The result will give you the area of the third space in square feet. Here’s how you calculate the square footage of Space C:

• Example: 20 feet x 35 feet = 700 square feet

Then, add the total areas of the three spaces together. Once you’ve calculated the area of all these spaces, you’ll have the total square footage of the entire space. Here’s how you calculate the total area:

• Area of Space A + Area of Space B + Area of Space C = Total Area in square feet
• 180 + 200 + 700 = 1080 square feet

Estimate square footage. If you're looking for an approximate square footage, you can measure the exterior of your house and then subtract any areas that aren't included in the square footage, such as staircases or the garage porch.

Calculate the square footage of a space with a half-circle shape. If part of your house is shaped like a half-circle, you can calculate the area of the full circle and then divide it by two. To do this, measure the length of the line that divides the circle into two halves, which is the diameter of the circle.

• Then, divide by 2 to get the radius, and use the formula A = πr^2, where r is the radius, and finally, divide by 2 to get the area of the half-circle in square feet.

Find the square footage of a space that is nearly symmetrical. If you're measuring a space that is almost square or rectangular, with just a small corner missing from the square or rectangle, you’ll first calculate the area of the entire space, including the missing part. Then, find the area of the missing part and subtract it from the total area of the space; the remaining number will give you the actual area you're looking for. This method will save you a lot of time.

• If you have an oddly shaped space, break it down into smaller, more regular shapes, then measure the area of each shape and add the results together.