How to find price per square foot
Price per square foot is the total price divided by the floor area: $/sq ft = total price ÷ square feet. A $300,000 home of 2,000 sq ft is 300,000 ÷ 2,000 = $150 per square foot. It's the standard way to compare the value of properties (or rents, or materials) of different sizes on equal footing. If you do not have the area to hand, measure it with the square footage calculator.
How to use this calculator
Enter the total price and the area in square feet. The result is the price per square foot. Use it for home prices, commercial leases (often quoted per sq ft per year), or flooring and material costs — just keep the price and area in matching units.
Comparing homes by price per square foot
For a $300,000 budget, the size you get changes the per-foot value: Investors usually read it alongside the cap rate calculator.
| Price | Area | $/sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | 1,500 sq ft | $200.00 |
| $300,000 | 2,000 sq ft | $150.00 |
| $300,000 | 2,500 sq ft | $120.00 |
| $300,000 | 3,000 sq ft | $100.00 |
What price per square foot misses
It's a useful baseline, not the whole story. Two homes at the same $/sq ft can differ wildly in location, condition, lot size, finishes, and layout. Smaller homes often carry a higher price per foot because the kitchen and bath — the priciest rooms — are spread over less space. Use it to compare similar properties in the same area, not across very different ones.
From per-foot price to total cost
To go the other way, multiply price per square foot by the area: $150/sq ft × 2,000 sq ft = $300,000. If you're buying, pair this with the mortgage calculator to estimate payments; for material quantities by area, see the gravel calculator.
These figures are an estimate for general information only and are not financial advice; consult a qualified professional before making money decisions.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate price per square foot?
- Divide the total price by the area in square feet. A $300,000 home of 2,000 sq ft is $150 per square foot.
- What is a good price per square foot?
- It depends entirely on location and property type. Compare against recent sales of similar homes in the same area rather than a national figure.
- Why do smaller homes cost more per square foot?
- The most expensive rooms — kitchens and bathrooms — are spread over less floor area, raising the per-foot price even when the total price is lower.
- How do I get total price from price per square foot?
- Multiply price per square foot by the area. $150/sq ft × 2,000 sq ft = $300,000.
- Does price per square foot include the lot?
- Usually it's based on the building's living area only, so it ignores land value. That's one reason two homes at the same $/sq ft can differ in true value.