How to Calculate Square Footage of a Wall
Decorating or renovating? We know how difficult and stressful that can be. That's why we created the wall square footage calculator to help you with these tasks — no matter what wall covering you decide on 🖌️
Follow our guide below to discover how to find square feet of a wall — you'll also learn some tips & suggestions on how to improve your walls' design.
How to Use the Wall Square Footage Calculator
Figuring out square feet has never been easier. Follow these instructions:
-
Choose your measurement system:
- US Imperial — lengths in feet (ft), area in square feet (ft²)
- Metric — lengths in meters (m), area in square meters (m²)
-
Choose your room's shape:
- Rectangle — input the lengths of two walls that share a corner; the perimeter is calculated as 2 × (wall 1 + wall 2).
- Square — input the length of one wall; the perimeter is 4 × wall length.
- Other — enter the total measured length of all the walls.
- Enter your ceiling height. If you plan to have a dropped ceiling, remember to account for it — it may affect the result.
-
Estimate the number of doors in your room:
- Standard door: 21 ft² (1.95 m²)
- For double doors, multiply the number by 2.
-
Estimate the number of windows:
- Standard window: 12 ft² (1.11 m²)
- If you don't have any windows, type 0.
- Optional: enter a price per square foot (or per m²) to estimate your total material cost. Choose from 20 world currencies, including the US dollar and Russian ruble.
The Formulas
The wall square footage equation is simple:
Gross wall area = Total perimeter of walls × Ceiling heightTo account for doors and windows:
Net wall area = Gross area − (windows × window area) − (doors × door area)| Opening | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Window (3 × 4 ft) | 12 ft² | ≈ 1.11 m² |
| Standard Door (3 × 7 ft) | 21 ft² | ≈ 1.95 m² |
How to Measure Your Walls
Precise measurement is the key 🔑 — whether you're using the wall sq ft calculator or computing everything yourself:
- Start with drawing a plan of your room — it makes it easier to measure and store data.
- Always use the proper equipment — a steel tape measure or a yardstick.
- Measure the length of your walls, including both doors and windows.
- Determine the height of your walls — measure from the floor to the ceiling. Exclude the length of a dropped ceiling or moulding (coving).
What's Next After Calculating Wall Square Footage?
Are you planning to buy wallpaper? 🌺 Or are you more keen on vinyl wall panels? 🌸 Either way, knowing your net wall area is the first step toward a successful renovation project.
DIY Wall Design Ideas
After learning how to find the square feet of a wall, why not go creative? When planning wall decorations, we usually think inside the box. It's time to let it go!
Tape Designs
Tape allows you to create any kind of geometrical pattern you could possibly think of — wall split in half, complex geometrical colorful shapes, you name it. The most crucial part is to buy good-quality painter's tape. It's better to spend a few extra dollars on tape than to have your hard work ruined.
Frames 🖼️
Large, empty frames glued to a wall and painted with the same wall color add a feeling of prestige and elegance to any interior.
Play with Different Materials
Your walls don't have to be identical. Mix different colors, textures, wallpapers, and materials. If you know how to figure the square footage of a wall, the world is yours!
Moulding
Moulding can create simple yet elegant details on your walls — and it's extremely easy to apply!
FAQs
How do I calculate the square footage of a wall?
Multiply the total perimeter of all walls by the ceiling height to get the gross area. Then subtract the area of doors (21 ft² each) and windows (12 ft² each) to get the net area.
How many square feet is a standard door?
A standard door measures 3 × 7 ft = 21 square feet (≈ 1.95 m²).
How many square feet is a standard window?
A standard window measures 3 × 4 ft = 12 square feet (≈ 1.11 m²).
Do I need to subtract doors and windows when painting?
Yes! It's standard practice to subtract doors and windows from the gross wall area when estimating paint, wallpaper, or any other wall covering material.