Question 1

How do I calculate the square footage of an L-shaped room?

Accepted Answer

Split the L-shaped room into two separate rectangular sections. Measure the length and width of each section. Calculate the area for both sections, then add them together. For example, if Section A is 10' x 12' (120 sq. ft.) and Section B is 8' x 6' (48 sq. ft.), the total room area is 168 square feet. You can easily do this in our calculator by clicking "Add Another Area / Room" and entering both sets of dimensions.

Question 2

How many square feet does a gallon of paint cover?

Accepted Answer

As a general rule of thumb, one gallon of high-quality interior wall paint covers approximately 350 to 400 square feet with a single coat. Keep in mind that textured walls (like orange peel or knockdown textures) and porous surfaces (like new, unprimed drywall) will absorb more paint, reducing coverage to about 250 to 300 square feet per gallon.

Question 3

What is the difference between gross living area (GLA) and net area?

Accepted Answer

Gross Living Area (GLA) is the standard metric used in real estate appraisals and MLS listings. It measures the total finished, heated, and livable space of a house using the exterior dimensions of the home (measuring from the outside walls). Net area, on the other hand, measures the actual usable floor space inside the rooms, excluding wall thicknesses, structural columns, and unconditioned spaces like garages or unfinished attics.

Question 4

How do I calculate square footage if my measurements are in inches?

Accepted Answer

First, multiply the length in inches by the width in inches to find the total square inches. Then, divide that number by 144 to get the equivalent square footage. Alternatively, you can convert your individual inch measurements to decimal feet first by dividing each number by 12, then multiplying them together. Our tool allows you to select "Inches" directly in the dropdown menu to handle this calculation automatically.

Question 5

How do I calculate the square footage of a staircase?

Accepted Answer

To calculate a staircase for carpet or hardwood runners, measure the width of a single tread (the flat step you step on) and the height of a single riser (the vertical back of the step). Add these two numbers together to find the run-and-rise length. Multiply this combined length by the width of the stairs to find the area of one step. Finally, multiply that area by the total number of steps on the staircase.

Question 6

Should I round my measurements up or down?

Accepted Answer

When estimating materials, always round your individual wall measurements up to the nearest half-inch or inch. Rounding down will cause your calculated area to be slightly smaller than the physical space, which increases the risk of running short on flooring, wallpaper, or tiles.

Question 7

How do I calculate square yards from square feet?

Accepted Answer

Since one yard is 3 feet, a square yard is 3 feet by 3 feet, which equals 9 square feet. To convert square feet to square yards, divide your total square footage by 9. For example, if a room is 180 square feet, the calculation is 180 divided by 9, which equals 20 square yards.

Question 8

Do I need to subtract closets when buying flooring?

Accepted Answer

Unless you plan to leave the closets bare or use a completely different flooring material inside them, you should not subtract closet areas. In fact, closets should be measured as separate rectangular areas and added to your project total, as they require extra perimeter cuts and thresholds.

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