Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (2024)

It is important for architects to fully understand the definitions of (and procedures for measuring) building floor areas. Building area square footage calculations done by the architect are often used to set rental rates or negotiate zoning variances so maintaining precise measurements is critical. Errors could cost your client a significant sum of money.

Unfortunately, definitions for building areas vary around the world. Since different codes, standards, and jurisdictions each use their own definitions for area measurements,it is critically important that the architect confirm what standard of measurement should be used. It is advisable to review the definitions before each measurement exercise since they can be similar and easily confused.

  • Building Area
  • Gross Floor Area
  • Net Floor Area
  • Building Gross Square Feet
  • Construction Gross Area (deprecated)
  • BOMA Gross Area 4 - Construction Method
  • Exterior Gross Area (deprecated)
  • BOMA Gross Area 1 - Leasing Method
  • BOMA Gross Area 2 and Gross Area 3
  • Gross Measured Area (deprecated)
  • Boundary Area
  • Usable Area
  • Rentable Area
  • Net Assignable Area
  • Zoning Floor Area

In addition to building codes like the International Building Code, there are a couple of other recognized standards for measuring buildings in North America:

BOMA: The Building Owners and Managers Association has been publishingstandards for measuring building areassince 1915. BOMA Standards are most commonly used for buildings that are leased to tenants. They have specific standards for office, industrial, multi-unit residential, retail, and mixed use buildings. BOMA standards adhere to ANSI processes. They are available for purchase fromAmazonor directly fromthe BOMA website.

FICM: The National Center for Education Statistics publishes theirFacilities Inventory and Classification Manual, which is most often used as the standard for measuring post-secondary educational buildings. The FICM is available as afree PDF download.

IFMA: TheInternational Facility Manager’s Associationpublishes theStandard Classification for Building Floor Area Measurements for Facility Management. The standards are incorporated under ASTM E1836.

There are a number of building area definitions that architects should be familiar with. As mentioned earlier,you should confirm what definition should be used for the specific purpose you are undertaking.The following area definitions are commonly used in North America.

It is important to note that different parties will calculate different areas of the exact same building even if they use the exact same method. This is normal and expected due to the complexity of running the calculations. Square footages are considered accurate when the discrepancy between two calculations is less than 2%.

Building Area

Building Area is defined by building codes and is the allowable size of the building based on fire hazard and type of construction. The measurement should not be used in lease agreements or for calculating rent payments. Always be sure to check your local code for the proper definition in your jurisdiction.

According to the2018 International Building Code, Building Area is defined as:

The area included within surrounding exterior walls, or exterior and fire walls, exclusive of vent shafts and courts. Areas of the building not provided with surrounding walls shall be included in the building area if such areas are included within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above.

Building Area is the footprint of the building measured to the inside face of the exterior walls. All enclosed spaces are included and deductionsare notmade for mechanical shafts, vertical circulation, interior walls, or structural elements. Internal courtyards that are open to the sky above are excluded from Building Area.

Gross Floor Area (GFA)

Gross Floor Area is used to calculate occupant load and is a sum of all occupiable and nonoccupiable spaces for a given area. It may also include exterior covered spaces that are part of the building's occupiable space. Gross Floor Area is not used for lease agreements.

The Gross Floor Area is defined by the2018 International Building Codeas:

The floor area within the inside perimeter of the exterior walls of the building under consideration, exclusive of vent shafts and courts, without deduction for corridors, stairways, ramps, closets, the thickness of interior walls, columns or other features. The floor area of a building, or portion thereof, not provided with surrounding exterior walls shall be the usable area under the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above. The gross floor area shall not include shafts with no openings or interior courts.

Other codes, including local building codes, may have a different definition. For instance, the 2015 edition ofNFPA 101: Life Safety Codedefines Gross Floor Area as:

The floor area within the inside perimeter of the outside walls of the building under consideration with no deductions for hallways, stairs, closets, thickness of interior walls, columns, elevator and building services shafts, or other features, but excluding floor openings associated with atriums and communicating spaces.

Net Floor Area (NFA)

Net floor area is used to calculate occupant load based on building codes. It is measured to the inside face of a room's walls. Net floor areadoes notinclude accessory areas as described below.

Net Floor Area is defined by the2018 International Building Codeas:

The actual occupied area not including unoccupied accessory areas such as corridors, stairways, ramps, toilet rooms, mechanical rooms and closets.

Building Gross Square Feet (BGSF)

Be sure to get clarification on the exact measurement methodology when a person asks for the Gross Square Footage of a building.

Building Gross Square Footage does not have a specific definition that can be referenced. It is used informally to determine construction costs or building value, usually by contractors. The measurement should not be used in lease agreements or for calculating rent payments. Do not confuse BGSF withBuilding Area(defined above), which is a code-based definition that limits the size of a building.

BGSF should also not be confused with other formalized definitions of Gross Area. BOMA has multiple definitions for Gross Area (see below); building codes referenceGross Floor Area; and other standards (FICM, IFMA, LEED, etc.) provide their own definitions.

Building Gross Square Footage is usually the area of construction to the outside face of the exterior walls. Covered areas like porches, terraces, and entry alcoves may be included, but not always. "Open to below" areas in multi-story voids (atria) are excluded from BGSF – only the first floor of a multi-story open space is included.

Construction Gross Area (CGA) -Deprecated

Construction Gross Area was deprecated in BOMA 2018 Gross Areas. It has been replaced byGross Area 4 - Construction Method, which we describe below.

According to BOMA'sGross Areas of a Building: Standard Methods of Measurement, 2009, Construction Gross Area is defined as:

The total of all the horizontal floor areas (as viewed on a floor plan) of all floors of a building contained within their building perimeters excluding voids (except for occupant voids), interstitial space, roofs, unexcavated areas, crawl spaces, un-structured on-grade parking and other site improvements. Make no deductions for columns or any structural elements within the building perimeter.

CGA is a larger measure than Exterior Gross Area since it includes covered, but unenclosed, spaces that are considered to be within the building perimeter. It may be useful for defining construction cost or building value. CGA is very similar to Building Area, defined above.

BOMA Gross Area 4 - Construction Method

BOMA/ANSI Z65.3, Gross Area 4 replaces the previous Construction Gross Area (CGA) and is used for estimating construction costs or maintenance costs. It was introduced in ANSI/BOMA Z65.3-2018. Gross Area 4 represents the largest square footage calculation since it includes all areas.

The BOMAGross Areas of a Building: Standard Methods of Measurement, 2018identifies BOMA Gross Area 4 as the sum of all areas within the boundary lines of Space Classifications A, B, C, D, E, and F. This includes the following:

  • Space Classification A: Floor Area, Parking Area, and Connectors
  • Space Classification B: Balconies, Exclusive Use Covered Galleries, and Finished Rooftop Terraces
  • Space Classification C: Unenclosed Occupant Circulation and Roofless Structured Parking
  • Space Classification D: Public Use Covered Galleries and Sheltered Area (Industrial)
  • Space Classification E: Building Voids
  • Space Classification F: Other Rooftop Areas, Unenclosed Connectors, Decks, and Plazas

The following images depict Gross Area 4 for a simple building in cyan:

Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (1)
Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (2)
Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (3)

Exterior Gross Area (EGA) -Deprecated

Exterior Gross Area was deprecated in BOMA 2018 Gross Areas. It has been replaced byGross Area 1 - Leasing Method.

According to BOMA'sGross Areas of a Building: Standard Methods of Measurement, 2009, Exterior Gross Area is defined as:

The total of all the horizontal floor areas (as viewed on a floor plan) of all floors of a building contained within their measure lines, excluding voids (with the exception of occupant voids), interstitial space, unexcavated space and crawl space. Make no deductions for columns or any structural elements within the measure line.

Unenclosed spaces (such as balconies, terraces, entry alcoves, roofs, and colonnades) are EXCLUDED from the Exterior Gross Area measurement. The EGA may be appropriate for use in zoning and Floor Area Ratio calculations.

Exterior Gross Area is also used by the IFMA, which defines EGA as:

The area of the floor measured to the outside face of the walls that enclose the floor(s) of the building.

BOMA Gross Area 1 - Leasing Method

BOMA/ANSI Z65.3, Gross Area 1 is similar to the previous Exterior Gross Area (EGA) and is used for calculating the gross area of a building that is leased to a single occupant. It was introduced in ANSI/BOMA Z65.3-2018.

BOMA'sGross Areas of a Building: Standard Methods of Measurement, 2018defines BOMA Gross Area 1 as the sum of all areas within the boundary lines of Space Classifications A, B, and C. This includes the following:

  • Space Classification A: Floor Area, Parking Area, and Connectors
  • Space Classification B: Balconies, Exclusive Use Covered Galleries, and Finished Rooftop Terraces
  • Space Classification C: Unenclosed Occupant Circulation and Roofless Structured Parking

The following images depict Gross Area 1 for a simple building in purple:

Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (4)
Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (5)
Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (6)

BOMA Gross Area 2 and Gross Area 3

BOMA/ANSI Z65.3, Gross Area 2 is the International Comparison Method, which is compliant with the International Property Measurement Standards. Space Classifications A, B, and D are included in the calculations.

BOMA/ANSI Z65.3, Gross Area 3 is called the Volumetric Method. It is used for design studies that analyze heat gain or other sustainability issue that require building volume. All interior spaces are included (Space Classifications A and E.)

Gross Measured Area -Deprecated

Gross Measured Area is an area measurement that was used in older versions of the BOMA Standards. Current versions of the standards no longer use this term.

The Gross Measured Area of a building is the total area of a building, calculated on a floor-by-floor basis, as measured to the "dominant portion" of an enclosing surface. It does not include spaces outside the building enclosure.

The dominant portion of an enclosing surface is the part of the wall that provides more than 50% of the finished wall between the finished floor and finished ceiling. For instance, curtain wall systems are often more than 50% glass so the measurement line in this case is the interior face of the glass. However in a building that has punched openings, the windows may only represent 30% of the wall surface so the dominant portion would be the interior face of the drywall. If there is no dominant portion, use the inside finished surface of the wall where it intersects the floor as the measuring line.

Boundary Area

Prior to BOMA 2017 for Office Buildings, Boundary Area was called Interior Gross Area (IGA). Interior Gross Area is deprecated by BOMA, but still used by the IFMA.

According to BOMA'sOffice Buildings: Standard Methods of Measurement, 2017:

Boundary Area is established by defining the area of each Floor in a Building according to the Boundary Conditions. The space inside the Boundary Area is the Floor Boundary Area and the total sum of all Floor Boundary Areas is the Building Boundary Area. The Boundary Area is adjusted along the perimeter of each Floor according the the rules outlined in the Boundary Conditions..."

In general, the Dominant Portion method is used to define the Boundary Area. There are a number of exceptions included in the BOMA Standards (external circulation, non-vertical walls, unprotected openings, and voids), but those are beyond the scope of this article. For more information, consult theBOMA Standards.

Interior Gross Area is still used by the IFMA and is defined as:

Portion of the floor(s) that is totally enclosed within the dominant portion.

Usable Area measured as Usable Square Feet (USF)

Usable Area is used in multiple standards, but in general, it is the portion of a floor or building classified as tenant areas and amenity areas. Service areas (restrooms, electrical closets, data closets, etc) are excluded from the measurement. Usable Area is always lower than Rentable Area.

In the BOMA Standards, Usable Area is used under Method A (the Legacy Method) for calculating Rentable Area. It is not used in Method B (Single Load Factor Method).

The following images depict Usable Gross Area in green:

Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (7)
Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (8)
Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (9)

Rentable Area measured as Rentable Square Feet (RSF)

Rentable Area is a term used in the BOMA Standards to identify the portion of a floor or building for which a tenant will pay rent. It is loosely defined as the sum of the tenant's area and the tenants share of the common or shared spaces (amenity and service areas). Landlords may also calculate the Building Rentable Area to identify the income producing area of their building. In that case, the Building Rentable Area is the sum of the building usable area and all of the common spaces (amenity and service areas) that are shared by building occupants.

TheBOMA Standardsprovide two methods of calculating Rentable Area. Only one method should be used throughout the entire building. In both methods, calculating the Rentable Area requires multiplying the total floor area by a ratio that represents the tenant's portion of the floor. The difference between the two methods is in the way the ratio is calculated. Discussion about selecting the correct method for calculating Rentable Area is beyond the scope of this article. For more information, refer to theBOMA Standards.

Other standards define Rentable Area differently so it is important to confirm the definition and calculation method with the building owner.

The following images depict Rentable Area. The blue area represents the occupant area and the pink area represents common spaces (circulation, amenity, and service areas). The sum of the blue and pink areas is equal to the Rentable Area:

Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (10)
Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (11)
Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (12)

Net Assignable Area measured as Net Assignable Square Feet (NASF)

Net Assignable Area is used when calculating areas in post-secondary educational institutions (colleges, universities, related research buildings, etc.) using the FICM. Simply stated, NASF is the sum of spaces that can be assigned to people or programs within the ten major space use categories (classrooms, laboratories, offices, study areas, special use space, general use areas, support rooms, healthcare, residential, and unclassified space.) Excluded from NASF are the three non-assignable space categories (building service area, circulation area, and mechanical area) that are required for the operation of the building.

Net Assignable Area is measured to the inside face of each individual space, so wall thicknesses are excluded from the calculations – wall thicknesses are considered part of the Structural Area of the building or space.

Do not make deductions for structural columns or projections. It would take more effort than it is worth to exclude them from the calculations since these elements are such a small percentage of the overall space in the building.

The following images depict Net Assignable Area in purple:

Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (13)
Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (14)
Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (15)

Zoning Floor Area measured as Zoning Gross Square Feet (ZGSF)

Zoning Floor Area is a measurement of a building for the purposes of adhering to a municipality's zoning code. It is established by individual jurisdictions, usually cities or towns. In general, Zoning Area is calculated by determining the gross building area and subtracting certain spaces like mechanical rooms, elevator shafts, stairwells, open atria, exterior balconies, terraces, and other areas as defined in local codes. Since each municipality has their own zoning code, it is important to confirm the local standards prior to making measurements.

FAR, or Floor Area Ratio, is usually calculated as the Zoning Floor Area divided by the total site area. It is used by many municipalities to limit the size of buildings that may be constructed in certain locations. This may also be called a Lot Coverage ratio.

Help make Archtoolbox better for everyone. If you found an error or out of date information in this article (even if it is just a minor typo), please let us know.

Building Area Square Footage Calculations - Archtoolbox (2024)

FAQs

How do architects calculate square footage? ›

Measure the length and width of the building's walls. Multiply the length and width measurements to find square footage. Remember to multiply the square footage times the number of floors in the building if your facility has more than one floor.

How do you calculate buildable square footage? ›

Key Takeaways

To calculate the land-to-building ratio, divide the square footage of the land parcel by the square footage of the building.

How do you calculate build size? ›

Measure the width, followed by the length, and then multiply these. Say your length is 3.9m and your width is 2.1m, your equation for the room will be 3.9m x 2.1m = 8.19m2. It's that simple! Once you have the measurements for each room you add these together and voila!

Is there an app that calculates square footage? ›

This app is a specialized calculator for computing square feet of floor area. Enter length and width measurements for any number of rectangles, and the app will calculate the total number of square feet. The app works for any shape that can be broken into rectangles. You can enter dimensions in feet, inches, or both.

What is the formula for area answer? ›

The area is measurement of the surface of a shape. To find the area of a rectangle or a square you need to multiply the length and the width of a rectangle or a square. Area, A, is x times y.

What formulas can we use to calculate area? ›

Area and Perimeter Formula Chart
FiguresArea FormulaVariables
Area of RectangleArea = l × wl = length w = width
Area of SquareArea = a2a = sides of the square
Area of a TriangleArea = 1/2 b×hb = base h = height
Area of a CircleArea = πr2r = radius of the circle
2 more rows
Sep 30, 2020

How do you calculate total floor area? ›

To calculate feet squared (or sq. ft. for short), determine the length and width of the area you are working with, measured in feet. Multiply the length by the width and you'll have the square feet. Here's a basic formula you can follow: Length (in feet) x width (in feet) = area in sq. ft.

How do you calculate the total volume of a building? ›

Whereas the basic formula for the area of a rectangular shape is length × width, the basic formula for volume is length × width × height. How you refer to the different dimensions does not change the calculation: you may, for example, use 'depth' instead of 'height'.

How many square feet is a 10x10 building? ›

How many square feet is a 10x10 room? The square footage of a room 10 feet wide by 10 feet long is 100 square feet. Find the square footage by multiplying the width (10 ft) by the length (10 ft).

What is the best formula to use when calculating the area of a square? ›

The area of a square is equal to (side) × (side) square units. The area of a square when the diagonal, d, is given is d2÷2 square units. For example, The area of a square with each side 8 feet long is 8 × 8 or 64 square feet (ft2).

What is the 345 squaring method? ›

To get a perfectly square corner, you want to aim for a measurement ratio of 3:4:5. In other words, you want a three-foot length on your straight line, a four-foot length on your perpendicular line, and a five-foot length across. If all three measurements are correct, you'll have a perfectly square corner.

Can Google Maps estimate square footage? ›

Yes, Maps has a built-in area calculator that automatically works out this figure for 2D objects. If you want to calculate area in Google Maps, you will need to zoom into the property or location that you're interested in. Once close enough, Google will show the property boundaries if they are available.

Is square Fit app free? ›

It's compatible with Apple and Android devices and free to use.

What is the best free measuring app? ›

Best Measurement Apps for Android and iOS Devices (2022)
  • AR Ruler App.
  • Measure.
  • Moasure.
  • Angle Meter.
  • Google Maps.
  • Bubble Level – Angle Meter.
  • Roomscan Pro.
  • GPS Fields Area Measure.
Dec 20, 2021

How big of a building can be built on 1 acre? ›

Therefore, on a one-acre parcel of approximately 43,560 sq. ft., a 25% coverage factor equates to a maximum building size of a little over 10,000 sq. ft. This Rule holds true regardless if the building is either one or two stories.

How is building density calculated? ›

DENSITY WILL BE MEASURED BOTH AS THE RATIO OF GROSS FLOORSPACE TO SITE AREA (THAT IS, OF BUILDINGS WITHIN THE CURTILAGE) TOGETHER WITH THE NUMBER OF HABITABLE ROOMS PER HECTARE.

How many square feet is a 20x20 building? ›

How many square feet is a 20x20 room? The square footage of a room 20 feet wide and 20 feet long is 400 square feet. The square footage is found by multiplying the width (20 ft) by the length (20 ft).

Can architects do structural calculations? ›

The Architects Practice Act allows architects to prepare, stamp, and sign structural calculations and structural drawings since the definition for scope of architectural practice includes “… the design, in whole or in part, of buildings …” except for the structural calculations and structural drawings for a hospital, ...

How do you calculate square footage from blueprints? ›

Multiply the length by the width and you'll have the square feet. Here's a basic formula you can follow: Length (in feet) x width (in feet) = area in sq. ft.

How do architects measure a house? ›

Measure The Room

First, take a set of overall dimensions, recording key spans of the room such as the length of corridors, walls, and diagonals. Then, working in a clockwise way, begin taking detailed dimensions that subdivide these overall dimensions to include windows, doors, and other fixtures.

How many square feet is a 30x50 building? ›

30x50 Steel Building

A 30x50 metal building gives you 1,500 square feet of open space.

How many square feet is a 40x60 building? ›

With 2,400 square feet of space, our 40×60 sized buildings offer plenty of room to work with. One of our most popular sizes, these buildings are a great option for commercial metal garages, small business office spaces, or retail spaces with multiple framed opening options – including roll-up doors.

How many square feet is a 12x24 building? ›

12x24 Sheds. Square footage: 288 sq. ft.

Can I do my own structural calculations? ›

'Whether you have an architect drawing up your home improvement plans or you are producing them yourself, you'll need a structural engineer to step in and provide structural drawings and calculations.

Can I use a structural engineer instead of an architect? ›

Where architects can cover a wide range of services, structural engineers tend to specialise in only a few key areas - namely, making your house stand up. Structural engineers are mainly needed if you're doing anything that might affect the structure of your home.

How much should structural calculations cost? ›

You can expect to pay around £100 an hour for a structural engineer in 2022. Some may charge by the hour, while others will quote you a set cost for a particular job.

What is the fastest way to calculate price per square foot? ›

The formula to calculate price per square foot is price divided by size (in square feet). So for example, if you have a 2,000-square-foot house selling for $300,000 you take the total price, then divide it by the square footage, which would give you $150 per square foot.

How do you calculate square footage from multiple measurements? ›

Measure the length of the area and the width of the area (in feet). Then multiply those two numbers together and you will have the total square footage or area of the rectangle.

What is the proper way to measure the square footage of a house? ›

Measure the length and width, in feet, of each room. Then, multiply the length by the width to calculate that room's square footage. For example: If a bedroom is 12 feet by 20 feet, it is 240 square feet (12 x 20 = 240). For each room, write the total square footage in the corresponding space on your sketch.

What method is usually used to measure property? ›

There are three common real property measurement methods; the Gross Building Area (GBA), Gross Living Area (GLA), and the American National Standard Institute (ANSI). While each method is specific in what areas are included and excluded, all of them calculate the property size based on square footage.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 6131

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.