How to accurately measure square footage for your home- Kotak Bank

22 AUGUST, 2019

The knowledge of how to calculate square feet becomes very handy while buying or selling a property. The square footage of a home is a key element that determines the value of the property and taxes you will be paying if you live there. The square footage also gives you an idea of what kind of renovations can be done in the house.
Understanding the calculations of the house’s square footage is very easy. Here are the things that you need to understand to calculate the square feet of a house.

How to calculate the square footage of a room?
Every square foot of your house is not counted as total square footage, as the area enclosed by walls is excluded from it. The calculations required to find out the square footage of a simple room can be done by using a basic mathematical formula. So, take out your measuring tapes and count the length and width of the room. Multiply the width by length, and you will have your answer.
For example, say a room is 25 feet wide by 15 feet long, then the total area of that room will be,
25 x 15 = 375 square feet.

How to calculate the square footage of the whole house?
Calculation of the square footage of the entire house is as easy as the same of a single room. Break down your whole home in small boxes and measure each box individually. Calculate the square footage of all boxes by the same formula (length x width). Now, add the square footage of all boxes to calculate the same of your entire house.
For example, the total square footage of 1BHK flat can be,

Part of house	Square footage
Living room	500
Bedroom	300
Kitchen	200
Bathroom	100
Hallways	50
Total-	1,150 square feet

Measuring the square footage of a house in India: FAQ

What is the difference between the total area and living area?
The total area of your house includes the basements, balconies, garages and all other spaces under the same roof. Whereas, the living area only contains rooms like a living room, bedroom, and kitchen.

Are unfinished spaces added in the total square footage of the house?
To be included in the total square footage, the areas of the house need to be finished. Therefore, generally unfinished areas like basements are not added in the total square footage of your home as long as you separate them as overall finished square footage.

What are different terms used to describe the area of a house in India?
In India, three terms are used to describe the area of the house,

Carpet Area
Build-up Area
Super Build-up Area

What is the carpet area of the house?
Just like the words go, the carpet area of any house is an actual area that can be covered by a carpet. Carpet area excludes the thickness of walls. Moreover, areas such as the lobby, lift, stairs, etc. are not part of the carpet area of your house. Carpet area is the area you get to use in any residential unit. The carpet area of the house reflects liveable footage of the house.

If you are buying or selling a house in India, calculating the carpet area is essential. As the carpet area reflects the total square footage of residence that you can calculate in the same ways discussed above. When you focus on the carpet area, you become able to understand the actual usable area in different rooms like the kitchen, bedroom, living room, etc.

What is the built-up area of the house?
In simple words, the built-up area is carpet area plus wall area, i.e., the thickness of the inner wall units. The built-up area also included other areas like dry balcony, flower beds, and so on.

What is the super built-up area?
Also called as a saleable area by the builders, the super built-up area includes the built-up area as well as other common areas like lift, lobby, corridor, etc. Some builders also include amenities like clubhouse, swimming pool, and garden in the common area.

Why measuring the square footage of your house is beneficial for you?
The total square footage mainly influences the price of the property. Therefore, once you know how to calculate your home’s square footage, it becomes easier to determine the value of the property. Knowing the price of the house enables you to calculate the specific amount you will require to buy it. Based on the amount, you can easily apply for the home loan. Moreover, knowing the price of the house and home loan you require to buy it, you can calculate the EMI on loan by using a home loan EMI calculator for further financial planning.

How to accurately measure square footage for your home?

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