How Do I Calculate the Square Footage of a Kitchen?

by Robert C. Young
    Use a tape measure to calculate square footage.

    Use a tape measure to calculate square footage.

    Many home-improvement or renovation projects require that you know the square footage of the space in which you are working. Calculating the square footage of a kitchen is a basic mathematical operation. It is easiest when the kitchen is a square- or rectangular-shaped space. It becomes slightly more difficult when the kitchen has dining and storage nooks or other architectural features, or when it has irregular shapes. A metal tape measure works best for measuring across long distances because it remains rigid, allowing you to take measurements alone.


    Extend the tape measure and record the distance from one wall to the opposite wall.


    Move to an adjacent wall, and measure and record the distance to the opposite wall.


    Multiply these two numbers (length and width) to find the square footage.


    Measure the length and width of each bay, alcove or offset, if any, and multiply them to find their square footage. For example, a 4-foot by 3-foot bay has an area of 12 sq. ft.


    Add the square footage of each bay, alcove or offset to your original calculation to determine the square footage of the entire kitchen.

    Things You Will Need

    • Tape measure

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