Knowing how to accurately measure a room will help you with many home remodeling projects, such as flooring or painting walls. Depending on why you're measuring the room, the way it's measured can also be different. For example, if you are going to install a floor, you need to know the size of the room concerned. If you want to paint a room, know the area of the walls and ceiling. You might find it difficult if you've never tried measuring a room, and it's even more complicated if the room has built-in features like ceilings, overdrafts, and bay windows.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Measuring the Floor
Step 1. Draw a floor plan of the room to be measured
The image doesn't have to be scaled, but the more accurate it is, the more useful the plan will be.
- Since you're measuring the floor, the size of windows and doors shouldn't matter.
- Include all areas involved in the project. For example, if the related room is equipped with a dressing room which is also planned to be floored, include a picture of the room.
- For example, say that in the room to be floored there is a bathroom on the right (which is in a separate room so it is not drawn) and a bay window on the left (marked as a semicircle).
Step 2. Measure the length and width of the main area of the room
To calculate the area of a room, use the standard formula Area = (Length) x (Width). Measure the maximum length and width at the widest point of the room. This is important and helps you measure correctly.
- Remove all items and furniture that will get in the way of your work.
- Ask a friend to help hold the end of the tape measure, if possible.
- Currently, you are measuring only the main area. Ignore bay windows and separate areas like the bathroom for this step.
Step 3. Multiply the length and the width to get the main area
Use a calculator to make sure your calculations are accurate. For example, if the room is 12 meters long and 12 meters wide, it means that the floor area is 144 meters. The result is a measure of the total floor area. Record this number in the picture.
Step 4. Measure the length and width of all the recesses of a square or rectangle
These niches (aka recesses, are small, overhanging areas in a room) often include a wardrobe or bathroom included in a floor or tile installation project. Measure the square or rectangular niche in the same way as the area of the room. Find the length and width of the niche, then multiply to get the area.
- Note the area of the niche in the drawing.
- Repeat steps if there are several niches in the room.
Step 5. Calculate the area of the recess of the circle
Measure the greatest length (usually through the middle) and width of the niche. Try not to measure more than the edge of the main area already measured. Next, divide the length by two. Then, multiply the result by the width. After that, multiply by pi (3, 14). Finally, divide the result by two to get the area.
- Record the results obtained in the recesses of the drawing.
- There is now a U-shaped indentation in the room.
- The area in the bay window niche can be included as part of the area of the room only if it has a floor (instead of seating) and a ceiling of at least 2 meters high.
Step 6. Add up all the areas to get the total floor area
Add the area of all the niches to the main floor area. Now you have the total area to work with, and you can purchase carpet, tile, or other materials accurately according to these calculations.
Method 2 of 4: Measuring Walls
Step 1. Draw a floor plan of all the walls that need to be measured
Include doors and windows in the picture. Leave enough space in the image to write down the size.
Step 2. Measure the length and height of the wall
To calculate the area of a wall, use the standard formula Area = (Length) x (Width). Use a tape measure to measure the width and length of the wall. Since the walls are usually quite high, you may need the help of a friend or colleague to hold the tape measure. Record the measurement results in your drawing.
Step 3. Multiply the length and the width
Use a calculator to accurately multiply length and width. The result is the total area of the associated wall. Record this number on a book or paper.
Step 4. Measure the length and width of any doors, fixtures, or windows
Record the lengths and widths of all doors or windows onto the drawing.
Step 5. Multiply the length and width of all doors, fixtures, or windows
Use a calculator to multiply the lengths and widths of all existing doors, fixtures, or windows. The result is the area of a door, window, or related piece of furniture. Record the area of each on a book or paper.
Step 6. Add up the total area of all doors, furniture, or windows
This step is only necessary if the wall has more than one door, piece of furniture, or window. Write this number on the picture.
Step 7. Subtract the total area of the wall by the area from step 6
Calculate using a calculator to be accurate. This number will be used as a benchmark for the size of the wallpaper.
Method 3 of 4: Measuring the Perimeter of a Room
Step 1. Measure the length and width of the square and rectangular rooms
Use the standard formula Perimeter = 2(Length + Width) to find the perimeter of a room. Use a tape measure to find the length and width of the room.
Step 2. Add up the length and width, then multiply the answer by two
Use a calculator so you can calculate accurately. After adding the length and width, multiply the result by two. This is the circumference of the related room.
Step 3. Measure the room with the irregular shape manually
If the shape of the room being measured is not a square or a rectangle, you will need to measure each side of the room. Measure around the perimeter of the room using a tape measure, and note the length of each side.
Step 4. Add up all the sides of the room
Use a calculator to add up all the lengths of the walls of the irregularly shaped room. The result is the circumference of the room. Record the number on a book or paper
Method 4 of 4: Measuring the Ceiling
Step 1. Calculate the floor area
This method has been described in method one. If the room has a flat ceiling, its area will be equal to the floor area of the room. If the ceiling has extra parts sticking out or recessing, go to step two.
Step 2. Measure all the additional parts of the ceiling separately
This step only applies if the ceiling is not flat. Many ceilings are also equipped with alcove or bay windows; measure the length and depth of all existing alcoves or bay windows. Record all your measurements.
- The area of the sloping ceiling or having an indentation is larger than the floor so don't forget to buy materials (a little more).
- The ceiling is usually difficult to reach on your own. If you're going to measure the ceiling, ask a friend for help.
- You may need a ladder to get to the ceiling.
Step 3. Add up the sizes of the additional sections of the ceiling to the area of the room
Add up all the additional measures with the numbers calculated in step one. Record the total on a book or paper.
Step 4. Measure the area of all skylights (ceiling windows)
If the ceiling is not equipped with skylights, skip this step. Ceilings are sometimes equipped with skylights, and their area must be subtracted from the total ceiling area calculated in step 3. First, measure the length and width of the skylight, then multiply them to get the area of the skylight.
Step 5. Subtract the ceiling area by the skylight area
Subtract the total ceiling area from the area calculated in step 4. The result is the ceiling area in units of squared units.
Tips
- If you're measuring wood, tile, or laminate flooring, find the floor area using the method above, but be sure to oversize in anticipation of material that will need to be removed as it is cut. Industry standards recommend exceeding 10% of the room size.
- Calculate using a calculator.
- Ask a friend for help to make the process easier. One of you can record the measurements while the other measures the room.
