Square Metre Calculator
Free Square Metre Calculator for UK property, flooring, and gardening. Calculate area in m² from dimensions. Convert between m², ft², yards, acres.
Last updated: February 2026
Square Metre Calculator
Calculate area in m² for UK property, flooring, painting, and gardening projects
Rectangle or Square Area
Quick Flooring Tip
When ordering flooring, always add 10% extra for wastage on straight laying, or 15% extra for diagonal patterns. For carpet, add at least 5% for seaming and fitting.
UK Average Room Sizes 2025
Understanding typical UK room dimensions helps you plan renovations, compare properties, and estimate material requirements. These figures are based on RIBA research and property market data.
| Room Type | UK Average (m²) | In Square Feet | Minimum (Building Regs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Bedroom | 8-10 m² | 86-108 ft² | 6.5 m² (70 ft²) |
| Double Bedroom | 12-15 m² | 129-161 ft² | 10.2 m² (110 ft²) |
| Master Bedroom | 15-20 m² | 161-215 ft² | 11.5 m² (124 ft²) |
| Living Room | 17-25 m² | 183-269 ft² | 12 m² (129 ft²) |
| Kitchen | 10-15 m² | 108-161 ft² | 5.5 m² (59 ft²) |
| Bathroom | 4-6 m² | 43-65 ft² | 2.5 m² (27 ft²) |
| En-suite | 3-4 m² | 32-43 ft² | 1.5 m² (16 ft²) |
| Home Office | 6-9 m² | 65-97 ft² | 5 m² (54 ft²) |
| Garage (Single) | 15-18 m² | 161-194 ft² | 15 m² (161 ft²) |
New-Build vs Period Properties
UK new-build homes have shrunk significantly. The average new-build living room is now just 15.8 m², compared to 24 m² in Victorian homes. When house hunting, always check actual room dimensions rather than relying on marketing descriptions.
Area Calculation Formulas
Different shapes require different formulas. Here's how to calculate area for common shapes you'll encounter in property and DIY projects:
Rectangle / Square
Example: Room 5m × 4m = 20 m²
Circle
Example: Radius 3m → 3.14159 × 9 = 28.27 m²
Triangle
Example: Base 6m, Height 4m → 0.5 × 6 × 4 = 12 m²
Trapezoid
Example: Parallel sides 3m & 5m, Height 4m → 0.5 × 8 × 4 = 16 m²
Measuring L-Shaped Rooms
For L-shaped, T-shaped, or irregular rooms, divide the space into simple rectangles. Calculate each rectangle's area separately, then add them together for the total. Always measure at floor level, not at skirting board height.
Area Unit Conversion Reference
UK property agents often mix metric and imperial measurements. Use this table to convert between common area units:
| Unit | = Square Metres (m²) | = Square Feet (ft²) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Square Metre (m²) | 1 | 10.764 |
| 1 Square Foot (ft²) | 0.0929 | 1 |
| 1 Square Yard (yd²) | 0.8361 | 9 |
| 1 Square Inch (in²) | 0.000645 | 0.00694 |
| 1 Acre | 4,046.86 | 43,560 |
| 1 Hectare | 10,000 | 107,639 |
Quick Mental Conversions
- m² to ft²: Multiply by 10.8 (or roughly ×11 for quick estimate)
- ft² to m²: Divide by 10.8 (or roughly ÷11)
- Acres to m²: Multiply by 4,047
- Hectares to acres: Multiply by 2.47
UK Material Coverage Guide
Knowing how much material you need prevents costly over-ordering or frustrating project delays. Here's typical coverage for common home improvement materials:
Emulsion Paint
Wood Stain/Varnish
Wall Tiles
Laminate Flooring
Carpet
Plasterboard
Grass Seed
Paving Slabs (600×600mm)
Paint Coverage Calculator
To calculate paint needed for a room:
- Measure wall height × room perimeter (all four walls)
- Subtract window and door areas
- Multiply by number of coats (usually 2)
- Divide by paint coverage rate (10-12 m²/litre)
Example: Typical UK Bedroom
Room: 4m × 3m, ceiling height 2.4m
Wall area: (4+3+4+3) × 2.4 = 33.6 m²
Minus door & window: ~4 m²
Paintable area: 29.6 m²
For 2 coats: 59.2 m² coverage needed
Paint required: 59.2 ÷ 11 = 5.4 litres (buy 5L + 1L)
UK Garden Size Guide
Garden size varies hugely across the UK by region and property type. Here's what to expect:
| Property Type | Average Garden (m²) | In Square Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced House | 90 m² | 969 ft² |
| Semi-Detached | 160 m² | 1,722 ft² |
| Detached House | 290 m² | 3,122 ft² |
| Flat (with garden) | 40 m² | 431 ft² |
| UK Average (all types) | 188 m² | 2,024 ft² |
Regional Variations
| Region | Average Garden Size | Compared to UK Average |
|---|---|---|
| London | 140 m² | -26% |
| South East | 175 m² | -7% |
| Midlands | 195 m² | +4% |
| North of England | 210 m² | +12% |
| Wales | 230 m² | +22% |
| Scotland | 250 m² | +33% |
Frequently Asked Questions
To calculate square metres, multiply the length by the width in metres. For example, a room 5m long and 4m wide = 5 × 4 = 20 m². For irregular shapes, divide into rectangles, calculate each separately, and add together. If measuring in feet, calculate in feet first then divide by 10.764 to convert to m².
One square metre equals 10.764 square feet. To convert sq ft to sq m, divide by 10.764. To convert sq m to sq ft, multiply by 10.764. For quick mental maths, you can roughly multiply m² by 11 to get ft², or divide ft² by 11 to get m².
The average UK living room is 17 m² (183 ft²). New-build homes average 15.8 m², while Victorian and Edwardian period homes typically have living rooms of 20-30 m². The minimum recommended living room size according to RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) is 12 m² for a 1-bed flat.
Calculate your floor area in m², then add extra for wastage. Add 10% for straight laying with simple room shapes, or 15% for diagonal/herringbone patterns or rooms with many alcoves. For example, a 20 m² room with straight laying needs 20 × 1.10 = 22 m² of flooring. Always round up to the nearest pack size.
Most emulsion paints cover 10-12 m² per litre on smooth surfaces. Textured surfaces or first coats on bare plaster may only cover 6-8 m² per litre. For a typical UK bedroom (12 m² floor area with 2.4m ceiling height), you'd need about 5 litres for two coats on the walls, plus 2 litres for the ceiling.
UK building regulations require a minimum 6.5 m² (70 ft²) for a single bedroom and 10.2 m² (110 ft²) for a double bedroom. For HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) licensing, rooms must be at least 6.51 m² for one person and 10.22 m² for two people. The ceiling height must be at least 2.1m for at least half the floor area.
Divide the L-shape into two rectangles. Measure length × width for each rectangle separately, then add them together. For example: Rectangle 1 (5m × 3m = 15 m²) + Rectangle 2 (4m × 2m = 8 m²) = 23 m² total. Draw a sketch first to avoid measuring errors, and always measure at floor level.
The average UK garden is approximately 188 m² (2,024 ft²), though this varies enormously. London averages just 140 m², while Scotland averages 250 m². Terraced houses typically have 90 m² gardens, while detached homes average 290 m². New-build gardens are often smaller at around 100-150 m².
Related UK Calculators
Last Updated: January 2025 | Next Review: July 2025
This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. For legal property measurements, always consult a qualified surveyor.
Expert Reviewed — This calculator is reviewed by our team of financial experts and updated regularly with the latest UK tax rates and regulations. Last verified: February 2026.
Pro Tips for Accurate Results
- Double-check your input values before calculating
- Use the correct unit format (metric or imperial)
- For complex calculations, break them into smaller steps
- Bookmark this page for quick future access
Understanding Your Results
Our Square Meter Calculator provides:
- Instant calculations - Results appear immediately
- Accurate formulas - Based on official UK standards
- Clear explanations - Understand how results are derived
- 2025/26 updated - Using current rates and regulations
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