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Anoushka Chopra | 04 Mar 2022

A Beginners Guide To Measuring The Square Footage of Your Property

A Beginners Guide To Measuring The Square Footage of Your Property

You will be surprised to know that there is no national standard in place for measuring a residential property. However, we understand that now that you have come across Clicworth, you too are curious to figure out what your home square footage is and how it can impact your home values and future housing-related decisions! 

The easier way to find out the measurements is to search for your property or lease deed and get information on the square footage mentioned in the document itself. The measurements mentioned in the document can be either in sq yards, square feet, or square meters. In case the measurement is not already given in square feet, you can refer to the conversion given below and calculate the square footage on your own, or with the help of a calculator online. 

1 Square Meter = 10.76391042 Square Feet

1 Square Yard = 9.000000878 Square Feet

However, we also have a solution if you have forgotten where your documents are or have no access to them for whatsoever reason!

Have you ever thought of measuring the square footage of your property manually? 

It is true that since there is no standard in place, there is more room for errors and inaccuracies. But worry not! The method and steps that we will explain to you are not only quick but also easy to understand and implement. 

Can you believe that there are only 3 steps that you need to follow, and there you have it; the square footage of your property! 

Equipment Required: Tape Measure, Pen/Pencil, Calculator 

Step 1: Measure The Area 


Start with calculating the square footage of each room, bathroom, kitchen, and balcony area. You need to calculate both length and width. Length can be figured out by measuring the longest side of the area, and the width can be found by locating the shortest side. 

Step 2: Apply The Formula 




Now that you know the length and width of all rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and balcony areas, multiply both these numbers. Hence, 

Length (L) x Width (W) = Square Footage (A) 

Step 3: Add The Areas of All Rooms Together 


Take your time to use the formula mentioned above to measure all the areas in your house. Once you have the square footage of each of these, add all those numbers together. 

This will give you the total square footage of the property. 

If you are the kind of person who grasps and retains better through visual instructions, you can also have a look at the video that will guide you throughout the process. 

No matter what your real estate goals or priorities are, learning how to accurately find out the square footage of your property will always give you an added advantage over other players in the real estate market. You will not only stand a better chance at success but will also know what exactly you are getting yourself into. 

Remember that you are not alone in this journey. Wherever you feel stuck or confused during the measurement process, feel free to contact us. At the very least, we can assure you that we will be there to make sure you make nothing less of wise decisions and increased profits! 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the difference between total area and living area?

The living area is simply another way of saying, “square feet”. The total area is the full amount of space that a property has. It includes spaces like basements, balconies, garages, and anything else that is under the same roof but does not rely on the main air and heating system.

What is and what is not included in the property's square footage?

A home's square footage includes finished spaces. Finished spaces are those that have attributes like ceiling, flooring, heating, cooling, and wall covering. 

What to include - 

  • Living Room 

  • Family Room

  • Kitchen

  • Dining Room

  • Bathrooms

  • Bedrooms

  • Finished Basement 


What Not to Include -

  • Attic

  • Unfinished Basement 

  • Pool House

  • Guest House 

  • Rooms that have a sloping ceiling 

Do I include my closet while calculating square footage?

Yes, closets count as part of the square footage measurement process. Most of the closets are finished and meet the ceiling height requirements and are hence important to include for an accurate calculation. 

Since there is often confusion about the stairways too, we should tell you that they are included in the measurements as well.

How can I calculate the square footage of my closet?

Start by measuring the closet separately. You will have its measurements when you multiply the total length of the closet with its total width. Once closets of a particular room have been measured, add the total square footage of the closet with the total square footage of the room where they are situated. 

What is the average size of houses in India?

The average size of houses in India is 494 square feet in rural areas and 504 square feet in urban areas. 

Are basements included in the measurements of property square footage? 

The answer to this is both yes and no. Since whether or not to include the square footage of basements has been a part of the discussion for years now, whatever you decide to do is acceptable. We suggest that while you do not include the square footage of your basement in a property's total square footage, a good idea is to list it separately. Make sure that if you are including the basement, it needs to be finished.

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