How do I calculate the price per square foot?
Properties for sale or rent all have their own sizes with different prices. In situations like this, it's good to have a fairer metric to aid comparisons. A common way to measure a property's value for money in the real estate industry is the price per square foot of livable floor space (we generally don't include lofts, cupboards, etc.).
The equation to calculate this metric is:
price per square foot = price ÷ floor space (ft²)
You can use the same formula for rental properties by replacing price with the monthly rental cost:
rent per square foot = monthly rent ÷ floor space (ft²)
How much is a square foot?
You can visualize a square foot as a square with sides one foot in length — that's 12 inches × 12 inches = 144 square inches. In everyday terms, a square foot is roughly the size of a large laptop computer.
In the metric system, a square meter (m²) is the standard unit for floor space and is roughly ten times the area of a square foot. More precisely:
- 1 square meter = 10.764 square feet
- 1 square foot = 0.0929 square meters
Our calculator supports both imperial (square feet) and metric (square meters) systems, so you can work with whichever unit is most familiar to you.
How to use the cost per square foot calculator
- Choose the unit system — Imperial (sq ft) for the US market, or Metric (sq m) for international properties.
- Select the mode — Purchase price (buying) or monthly rent (renting).
- Pick your currency — We support 20 major world currencies including USD and RUB.
- Choose how many properties to compare — 1, 2, or 3 properties at once.
- Enter the details — For each property, optionally give it a name, then enter its price/rent and floor area.
- Hit Calculate — The calculator instantly shows you the price per square foot (or sq m) for each property and highlights the best value.
You can also use this calculator in reverse: if you know the average price per square foot in your area and the floor area of your home, enter a target total price and area to see what you could list your property for.
Examples of comparing properties by price per square foot
Let's say you are interested in three properties:
- Property 1: $290,000 for 1,400 sq ft → $207.14 / sq ft
- Property 2: $310,000 for 1,200 sq ft → $258.33 / sq ft
- Property 3: $400,000 for 2,400 sq ft → $166.67 / sq ft
Although Property 3 has the highest asking price, its price per square foot is the lowest — making it the best value for money in terms of space. Our calculator highlights this automatically so you never miss the best deal.
Currencies supported
The calculator supports 20 major world currencies: USD, RUB, EUR, GBP, JPY, CNY, CAD, AUD, CHF, INR, BRL, MXN, KRW, SEK, NOK, DKK, PLN, TRY, ZAR, and AED. The Russian ruble (₽) is available as the second currency option right after the US dollar.
FAQs
- What does price per square foot tell you?
- It tells you how much you pay for each unit of floor space. A lower price per square foot means you get more space for your money — a useful metric when comparing properties of different sizes and prices.
- Is a higher or lower price per square foot better?
- A lower price per square foot generally means better value for money in terms of space. However, location, condition, and amenities also play a major role in a property's overall value.
- Can I use this for rental properties?
- Yes! Switch the mode to "Rent" and enter the monthly rent instead of the purchase price. The calculator will show you the rent per square foot, which helps you compare rental options fairly.
- What's the difference between square feet and square meters?
- Square feet are used in the United States and a few other countries, while square meters are the standard in most of the world. 1 sq m ≈ 10.764 sq ft. Use the unit selector to switch between them.
- How many properties can I compare?
- You can compare up to 3 properties side by side. The calculator automatically identifies and highlights the best value property in green.