How to measure a room
Measure wall to wall at floor level along the longest straight runs. Write down feet and inches, then turn the inches into a decimal by dividing by 12. Three inches is 0.25 feet, six is 0.5, and nine is 0.75.
Most rooms aren't perfect boxes. Closets, bay windows and hallway nooks are easiest to treat as their own small rectangles. Measure each one and put it in a new section, and the calculator adds them up. Our guide on how to measure a room has more detail and a few common mistakes to avoid.
Worked example: an L-shaped living room
- Main area: 15 × 12 = 180 sq ft
- Dining nook: 8 × 6 = 48 sq ft
- Total: 228 sq ft
- In square yards: 228 ÷ 9 = 25.3
Odd shapes
For a triangle, multiply the base by the height and halve it. For a circle, multiply the radius by itself and then by 3.14. Enter either result as a length with a width of 1 and it gets added to the total.
Once you have the number, take it to the flooring calculator or the tile calculator to see how much material to buy.
Square feet, yards and meters
Carpet is sometimes priced by the square yard, and many product sheets list coverage in square meters. One square yard is 9 square feet. One square meter is about 10.76 square feet. The results panel shows all three so you don't have to convert by hand.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert inches to feet for square footage?
Divide the inches by 12 and add the result to the feet. A wall that measures 11 feet 4 inches is 11.33 feet.
How do I find the square footage of an L-shaped room?
Split the L into two rectangles that don't overlap. Find the area of each by multiplying length by width, then add them together.
Do closets count in a room's square footage?
For buying flooring, yes, if the same floor goes into the closet. For other purposes, such as a home listing, the rules vary by area, so check the standard used locally.
How many square feet are in a square yard?
Nine. A square yard is 3 feet by 3 feet.
Results are estimates for planning. Product coverage, site conditions and installation methods vary, so check manufacturer guidance before you buy.