🏠 House Area Calculator
Enter your living space and lot size to easily understand your property’s true dimensions
Total finished, above-grade living area
Total land area including house and yard
Not included in official sq ft listings
Separate from living space
Calculate price per sq ft
Common House Sizes
📊 Property Composition
House Footprint
—
Yard & Outdoor Space
—
📋 Detailed Information
Coverage Ratio
–%
Lot Size
— acres
Basement
— sq ft
Garage
— sq ft
Price/sq ft
$–
Metric Size
— m²
- Enter your property details to see the analysis
The finished, above-grade living space of your home. Includes bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bathrooms.
Finished basement space is NOT included in official listings but adds significant usable area.
Garage space is always separate from living area. 2-car garage ≈ 400-500 sq ft.
Key metric for comparing home values. National average is around $150-200/sq ft.
Understanding Apartment Area Calculator
Apartment area calculator helps you understand the real living space you’re getting when buying an apartment. Many property listings show a larger area measurement that includes wall thickness, while the actual usable living space is smaller. This tool instantly calculates both measurements and shows you the exact difference, helping you make informed decisions about your property purchase.
The difference between gross floor area and net floor area typically ranges from 5-11% of the total space. This might seem small, but in a 70 square meter apartment, you could be losing 3.5 to 7.7 square meters of actual living space. That’s roughly the size of a small bedroom or walk-in closet. Understanding this difference is essential before signing any purchase agreement.
How to Use This Tool
Using the calculator is straightforward. Enter the gross floor area from your property brochure or sales documents in the first field. Then enter the net floor area from the property registry or deed in the second field. Click “Calculate Area” and you’ll instantly see a detailed breakdown of your apartment’s actual dimensions.
Don’t have the documents handy? Try the preset buttons for common apartment types: 2BR (60㎡), 3BR (75㎡), 4BR (90㎡), or Large (110㎡). These presets give you realistic examples of how the calculation works. You can also click “Sample Input” to see the tool in action with example data before entering your own numbers.
Gross Floor Area vs. Net Floor Area
Area measurement in apartments uses two different standards, and knowing both is crucial. Gross floor area measures from the center line of exterior and interior walls, making it the larger of the two measurements. This is typically what you’ll see in marketing materials and property listings. Net floor area measures from the inside surface of walls, giving you the actual living space where you can place furniture and move around.
Why does this difference exist? Walls aren’t just thin dividers—they have substantial thickness, especially exterior walls that include insulation, moisture barriers, and structural elements. When you measure from the wall centerline (gross area), you’re including half the wall thickness on all sides. Corner units with more exterior walls naturally have a larger difference between gross and net measurements.
The typical 5-11% difference varies based on several factors. Concrete construction has thicker walls than wood frame, leading to larger differences. Smaller apartments show a higher percentage difference because walls occupy a larger proportion of the total space. Studio apartments often have the biggest gap, while larger units show smaller percentage differences even though the absolute square meter difference might be similar.
Understanding Your Results
Results display several key metrics to help you understand your apartment’s true size. The main cards show both the actual living area (based on net floor area) and the advertised area (based on gross floor area) in square meters and converted measurements. This side-by-side comparison makes it easy to see exactly how much space you’re actually getting versus what’s advertised.
The area composition bar graph provides a visual breakdown showing how much space is actual living area versus wall thickness. Below that, you’ll find detailed metrics including the net-to-gross ratio, wall thickness area, tatami mat conversion, and the overall area ratio. These numbers help you compare different properties objectively.
Pay special attention to the net ratio percentage—this tells you what portion of the advertised space is actually usable. A higher percentage means more efficient use of space. When comparing apartments, a unit with a 92% net ratio gives you significantly more living space than one with an 87% ratio, even if both advertise the same gross area. This makes the net ratio a valuable comparison tool when evaluating multiple properties.
Making Smart Property Decisions
Use this calculator when comparing multiple apartments to make accurate comparisons. Two apartments advertised as 70 square meters might actually provide 65 and 63 square meters of living space—a 2 square meter difference that matters when planning furniture layout or evaluating price per actual square meter.
Consider the net floor area when budgeting for furniture and planning room layouts. That attractive 3-bedroom apartment might not fit your king-size bed and dressers once you account for the actual room dimensions based on net area. Measure your existing furniture and use the net floor area measurement to determine what will realistically fit in each room.
Location matters for area calculations too. Corner units and end units typically have more exterior walls, leading to larger differences between gross and net areas. Ground floor and top floor units might have thicker floors or ceilings. Ask about these factors when viewing properties, and always request both gross and net area measurements before making an offer.
Calculator Features
Dark mode provides comfortable viewing in low-light conditions. Toggle between light and dark modes using the moon icon in the top right corner. The calculator remembers your preference for future visits, ensuring a consistent experience every time you use it.
The preset buttons offer quick access to common apartment sizes, while the reset button clears all inputs instantly. These features make it easy to compare multiple properties quickly, entering different measurements and seeing instant results without any complicated setup or configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the typical difference between gross and net floor area?
Expect a 5-11% difference in most apartments. For a 70 square meter gross area apartment, the net area typically ranges from 62 to 66 square meters. Studio apartments and corner units usually show larger differences, while interior units in larger buildings tend to have smaller gaps. Construction type also matters—concrete buildings generally have thicker walls than wood frame construction.
Why do property listings use gross floor area?
Gross floor area is the standard measurement in property marketing because it’s measured from wall center lines, which makes the apartment appear larger. This measurement method is consistent across properties, making comparisons easier. However, always ask for net floor area measurements to understand the actual usable living space you’re paying for. Both measurements are legitimate—they just serve different purposes.
Does a higher net ratio mean a better apartment?
A higher net ratio generally means more usable living space, which is advantageous. However, thicker walls might indicate better insulation, soundproofing, or structural integrity. Consider the overall value—an apartment with slightly lower net ratio but superior insulation and noise reduction might be worth more than one with thin walls and high net ratio. Use net ratio as one factor among many when evaluating properties.
Are balconies included in these measurements?
Balconies, terraces, and patios are typically excluded from both gross and net floor area calculations. These outdoor spaces are usually considered common areas with exclusive use rights rather than private property. Always check property documents for exact balcony dimensions if outdoor space is important to you. Some listings may show total living area including balconies, so clarify which measurements you’re seeing.
Can I use this for commercial properties?
This calculator works for any property where you have both gross and net floor area measurements. Commercial properties often have even larger differences due to thicker structural walls, mechanical spaces, and shared corridors. The principles remain the same—understanding the difference between advertised space and usable space helps you calculate the true cost per square meter of actual working area.
Should I negotiate price based on net floor area?
Understanding net floor area gives you negotiating leverage. If comparable properties offer better net ratios at similar prices, that’s a valid point for negotiation. Calculate the price per square meter of actual living space (using net area) rather than advertised space. This reveals the true value and helps you make competitive offers based on what you’re actually getting.
Additional Property Buying Considerations
Area measurements are just one factor in property evaluation. Layout efficiency matters as much as total square meters—a well-designed smaller apartment often feels more spacious than a poorly laid out larger one. Consider traffic flow, natural light, storage space, and ceiling height alongside area measurements.
Examine shared amenities that don’t count toward your net floor area but add value to your living experience. Gyms, pools, parking, storage units, and common rooms enhance daily life. While these don’t appear in area calculations, they significantly impact property value and quality of life. Factor in maintenance fees that support these amenities when evaluating total cost of ownership.
Think about resale value when buying. Properties with good net ratios, efficient layouts, and desirable locations hold value better over time. Market conditions change, but well-designed apartments in prime locations consistently attract buyers. Consider your property not just as a home but as a long-term investment that should maintain or increase its value.
Making Informed Decisions
Understanding the difference between gross and net floor area empowers you to make smarter property decisions. Use this calculator to compare properties accurately, negotiate better prices, and avoid surprises after purchase. The few minutes spent calculating these measurements can save you from costly mistakes and ensure you get the living space you’re actually paying for.
Remember that area is just one piece of the puzzle. Combine these measurements with careful evaluation of location, build quality, amenities, and layout to find your ideal property. Take your time, compare multiple options using consistent metrics, and don’t hesitate to ask sellers for detailed measurements. Informed buyers make better decisions and end up with properties they’ll love for years to come.