How to Calculate Land Area or Plot Area in Square Feet?

Knowing how to calculate land area in square feet is a useful skill that you can easily learn and tackle different property-related projects. Once you know your plot’s area in square feet, you can estimate its total cost and compare its counterparts. It also comes as a handy know-how when handling a home improvement or DIY project. It helps calculate the price of the land by breaking it down into cost per square foot.

Do you plan to purchase a plot or want to get a property loan against a land area you already own? Read on to learn how to calculate the area of land with different sides.

What is Square Footage?

Square feet is a standard unit of measurement used for calculating an area size. You may want to learn how to calculate land area before purchasing, leasing, or taking a loan against it. It is simply the measurement of flat space covering an area. For instance, if a plot is 80 feet wide and 120 feet long, you know its length and width, but what about the surface area it provides? How will you determine how many rooms you can adjust in the plot? Measuring the plot in square feet also helps determine its cost, as most plots have rates per sq. ft.

Calculating the square footage will suggest the surface area available to work with. Things get complicated for irregularly shaped plots. However, the formula to calculate the area of a common square or rectangle land is: 

A = length x width

How to Calculate Square Footage?

Here is a guide to explain how to calculate land area in square feet. The first step is to calculate the dimensions of a plot by measuring its length and width. To measure its length, identify the area's longest side and use a measuring tape to record its dimension. To find the width, repeat the process on the shorter side of the land. The next step is to enter your dimensions into the area measurement formula. For instance, if a land area is 120 feet long and 100 feet wide, enter the values in A = length x width

= 120 ft. x 100 ft. 

= 1200 sq. ft.

The method yields the land area in square feet. You can mention this measurement in mortgage loan documents to give an idea of the property size and value.

Also Read: What Are The Current Circle Rates In Bangalore?

Basic Formula for Square Feet

Knowing how to calculate land area by formula makes you an informed and more knowledgeable seller and buyer. Learning this simple skill will help you compare plots when purchasing and evaluate properties when selling. As mentioned, the basic formula to calculate an area’s size in square feet is:

A = length x width

Enter the plot's length and width in the formula to calculate its area. You need to multiply the plot's length and width to get its area in square feet. However, if you are short on time, you may use an online area calculator to get fast and accurate results. 

Also Read: What Are The Current Circle Rates In Dehradun?

How to Calculate Square Footage in Different Types of Rooms?

Lands of different shapes have different methods of calculating square feet of area. These are the common methods to calculate square feet area for various shapes:

• Squares and Rectangles: Use the formula (A = length x width) to calculate the square or rectangular room area in square feet. Measure each side in feet and enter the values in the formula to calculate. Multiply the width and length of the room together to calculate its area in square feet.
• Triangles: The formula to calculate the area of a triangular room is A = ½ base x height. Here, A is the triangle area in square feet, ½ base is the length of the bottom side, and height is the vertical area from the bottom to the top. 
• Circles: To calculate a circle's area, you must use pi. Its symbol is π, and its value is 3.14. Enter values in the formula (A = π x radius2) to calculate the square-foot area.
• Trapezoids: The formula to calculate the square feet area of a trapezoid is A = [(base length + top length) / 2] x height. Here, base length is the length of the trapezoid’s bottom, top length is the top’s length, and height is the vertical distance from top to bottom. Add the values in feet to calculate its area in square feet.
• Rhombuses: Use this formula to calculate the square feet area of a rhombus: A = distance from one pair of opposite angles x distance from the other pair of opposite angles. 
• Parallelograms: Use this formula to calculate the square footage of a parallelogram: A = base x height. Here, base is the length of the bottom side, and height is the vertical distance from top to bottom. Measure the base and height in feet and multiply them to find the square feet area.

Also Read: What Are The Current Circle Rates In Lucknow?

What is Usable Square Footage?

Usable Square Footage (USF) is the total floor area available for usage in a building or space. Measured from the outer surface of exterior windows and walls, it includes the middle of interior walls adjacent to other spaces, common areas, or hallways. Similar to assessing homes, it involves measuring a space from outside exterior walls rather than inside.

USF is the total space you will occupy by purchasing the plot. Sometimes, it is also called LSF or Leasable Square Footage. Tenants and architects often measure the inside area of the walls, reducing the owner's calculation of the USF. Therefore, it is crucial to know the location of measurements and consider the wall thickness when learning how to calculate land area. It helps take more accurate measurements, decreasing the margin of error.

Also Read: What Are The Current Circle Rates In Ghaziabad?

Process to Calculate Land Area in Square Feet

Calculating land area in square feet involves a few steps:

• Choose a Measurement Unit: Ensure all measurements are in the same unit—either feet or meters.
• Divide the Land into Shapes: If the land is irregular, divide it into shapes (rectangles, triangles, etc.) for easier calculations.
• Measure Each Section: Use a measuring tape or a GPS device to measure the length and width of each section.
• Calculate the Area of Each Section:  For rectangles or squares, multiply length by width. For triangles, use the formula (base * height) / 2.
• Sum Up the Areas: Add the areas of all sections together to get the total land area in square feet.

For complex shapes, break them down into simpler shapes and calculate their areas separately before summing them up. Tools like online area calculators can simplify this process.

Also Read: What Are The Current Circle Rates In Kolkata?

Conclusion

Square feet are a common unit to measure the area of a space. If you want to purchase a plot of land or borrow a property loan against it, knowing how to calculate land area in square feet will be useful. Apply for your desired loan at Hero FinCorp and submit the required mortgage loan documents to get the needed funding. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I calculate the area of a rectangular or square piece of land?

The formula to calculate the area of a rectangular or square piece of land is to multiply its length and width. The formula to use is A = length x width. You can also use online area calculators to calculate the area in a flash second. 

2. How can I measure irregularly shaped land?

Divide an irregularly shaped land into several pieces of standard shapes. Calculate their areas separately and add them to measure their total area in square feet. 

3. What units should I use for land area measurement?

Square feet is the most widely accepted unit for measuring land area. Measure the length and width in feet and multiply them to calculate the land area.

4. Can I use a GPS device to measure land area?

Yes, you can use a GPS device to measure land areas on both flat and wide areas. 

5. Does land elevation affect area calculations?

No, the area calculations are the same for both flat surfaces and hilly terrains.