1. What is Gross Square Footage?

Gross Square Footage (GSF) is the total floor area of a building measured from the exterior walls. It includes all spaces within the building perimeter, including mechanical rooms, stairwells, and other non-usable areas.

2. How to Calculate GSF

The formula for calculating Gross Square Footage is:

Where:

• \( A_1, A_2, \ldots, A_n \) — Areas of individual floors or spaces (ft²)

Explanation: Simply add together the area measurements of all floors and spaces within the building envelope to get the total gross square footage.

3. Importance of GSF Calculation

Details: GSF is crucial for real estate valuation, building code compliance, space planning, construction costing, and property tax assessment. It provides a standardized way to compare building sizes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter each floor area measurement on a separate line. All values should be in square feet and must be positive numbers. The calculator will sum all valid inputs and ignore any non-numeric entries.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between GSF and net square footage?
A: GSF includes all interior space within the exterior walls, while net square footage typically excludes structural elements, mechanical spaces, and circulation areas.

Q2: Should I include basement areas in GSF?
A: Yes, basements are typically included in GSF calculations if they are finished and habitable spaces.

Q3: How do you measure irregularly shaped floors?
A: Divide irregular shapes into regular geometric shapes (rectangles, triangles), calculate each area separately, then sum them together.

Q4: Are exterior features like balconies included?
A: Typically no, GSF usually refers to interior spaces only. Exterior features are calculated separately.

Q5: How precise should measurements be?
A: For most purposes, measurements to the nearest square foot are sufficient, though more precision may be needed for construction documents.