How to Calculate Square Footage? (original) (raw)
Last Updated : 3 Oct, 2025
The square footage formula is used to determine the surface area varies from one surface to the other based on the shape of the surface. Let's study the square footage formula in detail.
For some of the geometric shapes like squares, circles, rectangles, and triangles, we can find the area or square footage with simple formulas as given below.
Take a look at the square footage formulas for different geometric figures listed below:
Square Footage Formula for a Triangle
If the shape is a triangle, then the square footage or the area of a triangle is calculated by finding the product of the base (b) and height (h), and then the result is multiplied by half.
Square Footage Formula for a Triangle
The formula for the square footage of a triangle is given as follows:
**Area of Triangle **= ½ × b × h
where, "b" and "h" are the base and height of a triangle measured in terms of the feet.
Square Footage Formula for a Circle
To compute the square footage or area of a circle, we need the radius (r) of the circle that is measured in terms of feet.
Square Footage Formula for a Circle
The formula for the area of a circle is given as follows:
**Area of Circle = πr 2
Where "r" is the radius of the circle which is **measured in terms of the feet.
Square Footage Formula for a Parallelogram
If the shape is a parallelogram, then the square footage or the area of a parallelogram is calculated by finding the product of the base (b) and height (h).
Square Footage Formula for a Parallelogram
The formula for the area of a parallelogram is given as follows:
**Area of Parallelogram = b × h
Where "b" and "h" are the base and height of a parallelogram **measured in terms of the feet.
Square Footage Formula for a Trapezoid
To calculate the square footage or area of a trapezoid, we need the lengths of its parallel sides and the perpendicular distance between them.
Square Footage Formula for a Trapezoid
The formula for the area of a trapezoid is given as follows:
**Area of Trapezoid = ½ × h(a + b)
where,
- "h" is Perpendicular Distance between Parallel Sides
- "a" and "b" are Lengths of Parallel sides measured in terms of feet.
Square Footage Formula for a Rectangle
If the shape is a rectangle, then the square footage or the area of a rectangle is calculated by finding the product of the length (l) and breadth (b).
Square Footage Formula for a Rectangle
The formula for the area of a rectangle is given as follows:
**Area of Rectangle = l × b
Where "l" and "b" are the length and breadth of a rectangle **measured in terms of the feet.
Square Footage Formula for a Square
If the shape is a square, then the square footage or the area of a square is calculated by finding the square of its side length since every side of the square measures the same.
The formula for the area of a square is given as follows:
**Area of Square = a 2
Where "a" is the side length of a square **measured in terms of the feet.
**Read More:
**Example 1: Calculate the total area (in square feet) of the circular field if its radius is 14 ft. [π = 22/7]
**Solution:
Given,
- Radius of Circular Field (r) = 14 ft
Using the square footage formula of a circle,
Area of a circle = πr2
= 22/7 × (14)2
= 22/7 × 196 = 616 sq. ft
Hence, the area of the circular field is 616 sq. ft.
**Example 2: Find the area or surface footage of a parallelogram whose base and height are 8 ft and 12 ft, respectively.
**Solution:
Given,
- Base of a parallelogram = 8 ft
- Height of the parallelogram = 12 ft
By using the square footage formula of a parallelogram,
Area of a parallelogram = base × height
= 8 × 12 = 96 sq. ft
**Example 3: A room is in the shape of a trapezoid. Calculate the square footage of the room if the lengths of its parallel sides are 12 ft and 15 ft, and the perpendicular distance between them is 20 ft.
**Solution:
Given,
- Perpendicular distance between parallel sides (h) = 20 ft
- Lengths of its parallel sides are 12 ft and 15 ft
a = 12 ft and b = 15 ft
By using the square footage formula of a trapezoid,
Area of Trapezoid = ½ × h (a + b)
= ½ × 20 × (12 + 15)
= 10 × 27 = 270 sq. ft
Hence, the square footage of the room is 270 sq. ft.
**Example 4: Determine the square footage of a rectangular field if its length and breadth are 50 ft and 34 ft, respectively.
**Solution:
Given,
- Length (l) of a rectangular field = 50 ft
- Breadth (b) of the rectangular field
By using square footage formula of a rectangle,
Area of a rectangle = length × breadth
= 50 × 34
= 1700 sq. ft.
Hence, the square footage of a rectangular field is 1700 sq. ft.
**Example 5: Calculate the height of a triangular surface whose area and base length are 280 sq. ft. and 21 ft., respectively.
**Solution:
Given,
- Total area of triangular surface = 280 sq. ft
- Base length of triangular surface = 21 ft
We have,
Area of triangular surface = ½ × base × height
⇒ 280 = 1/2 × 21 × h
⇒ 21h = 560
⇒ h = 560/21 = 26.67 ft
Hence, the height of the triangular surface is 26.67 ft.