Price per square foot turns very different numbers into something you can compare: a $385,000 house against a $520,000 one, a rent of $2,100 against $2,450, or two contractors’ quotes for the same job. This price per square foot calculator does the division for you, shows the equivalent per square metre and per square yard, and works in reverse to turn a price per square foot into a total.
The formula
Price per square foot = total price ÷ square feet
Total cost = price per square foot × square feet
If your area is in square metres, choose m² in the calculator; it converts to square feet automatically and also shows the price per square metre.
Worked examples
- Buying a home: a 1,850 sq ft house listed at $385,000 is $385,000 ÷ 1,850 = $208.11 per sq ft.
- Renting an apartment: $2,100 a month for 900 sq ft is $2.33 per sq ft per month.
- Commercial lease: in the US, office and retail rent is usually quoted per square foot per year. At $24/sq ft/year, 1,500 sq ft costs $36,000 a year, or $3,000 a month.
- A flooring quote: 650 sq ft at $4.50 per sq ft installed is $2,925.
How to use price per square foot when buying a home
- Collect recent sales of similar homes nearby: same type, similar age, condition and lot.
- Divide each sale price by its living area to get a price per square foot.
- Take the typical (median) figure and multiply it by the size of the home you are looking at.
- Adjust for what the number can’t see: updates, views, a larger lot, a garage, a pool.
Make sure every home in the comparison is measured the same way. A figure that includes a finished basement is not comparable with one that counts only above-grade living area. Our guide to house square footage explains the difference.
Price per square foot for common home sizes
Find your home’s size in the left column and its price along the top.
| Home size | $250k | $400k | $550k | $750k |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $250 | $400 | $550 | $750 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $167 | $267 | $367 | $500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $125 | $200 | $275 | $375 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $100 | $160 | $220 | $300 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $83 | $133 | $183 | $250 |
Why price per square foot can mislead
- Small homes look expensive. Kitchens, bathrooms and land cost the same whatever the size of the house, so smaller homes usually have a higher price per square foot.
- Land is included. A home on a large or prime lot will show a high price per square foot even if the house itself is modest.
- Measurement differences. Listings, appraisals and tax records can report different square footage for the same home.
- Condition and finish. A renovated home and a dated one of the same size can differ greatly in value.
Per square foot, per square meter or per square yard?
The same price can be expressed in different units, and mixing them up is a common source of confusion. One square meter is 10.764 square feet and one square yard is 9 square feet, so $3 per sq ft equals $32.29 per m² or $27 per sq yd. The first calculator shows all three, so you can compare a US listing with a European one, or a carpet quote per square yard with a flooring quote per square foot.
Construction and renovation costs
Builders and remodelers often quote per square foot, but what is included varies widely. Before comparing quotes, confirm whether the figure includes materials, labor, permits, design, demolition and finishing, and whether it is based on living area or total area. The second calculator above is handy for checking that a quote’s total matches its rate.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate price per square foot?
Divide the total price by the area in square feet. A $300,000 home with 1,500 sq ft is $300,000 ÷ 1,500 = $200 per sq ft.
How do I calculate a total cost from a price per square foot?
Multiply the price per square foot by the area. 400 sq ft of flooring at $3.25 per sq ft is 400 × 3.25 = $1,300.
How do I convert price per square foot to price per square meter?
Multiply the price per square foot by 10.764. $20 per sq ft equals about $215.28 per m².
Is commercial rent per square foot monthly or yearly?
In the US, commercial rent is usually quoted per square foot per year. Divide by 12 for the monthly rate per square foot.
Why do smaller homes have a higher price per square foot?
Expensive parts of a home, such as the kitchen, bathrooms and the land, cost roughly the same regardless of size, so they are spread over fewer square feet in a smaller home.
Which square footage should I use?
Use the same measure for every home you compare, ideally the finished above-grade living area. Mixing figures that include basements with ones that don’t will distort the comparison.
Does price per square foot include the land?
Yes, when you divide a home’s sale price by its living area, the land value is included in the result.
What is a good price per square foot?
There is no single answer: it depends on location, property type, age and condition. Compare a home’s price per square foot with recent sales of similar homes in the same neighborhood.