Step-by-step guides on measuring floor plans, calculating GLA, and getting accurate square footage from any image or PDF.
Apex Sketch exports PNG and PDF sketches. How to export and upload to get a fast second check on any appraisal sketch.
Bluebeam Revu costs $300+ and is overkill for residential square footage. How MeasureFloorPlan.com handles the same core use case for free.
Browser-based floor plan measurement. Upload any PDF or image, trace square footage, set scale. No software required.
MeasureFloorPlan.com vs Bluebeam vs SketchAndCalc vs PlanSwift vs Google Earth. Which tool fits which use case.
Complete walkthrough: what GLA is, what counts, how to trace the perimeter, set scale, handle garages and basements, and read the result.
Use the original PDF over screenshots, set scale from the longest known dimension, double-check with a known room, and verify multi-floor footprints match.
SketchAndCalc charges a subscription for what MeasureFloorPlan.com does free. A direct comparison for residential floor plan measurement.
No labeled dimensions on your floor plan? Six ways to find a reference measurement so you can still calculate accurate square footage.
The fastest way to calculate accurate square footage from any floor plan. Upload, trace, set one scale reference, read the result.
Accurate floor plan measurements are the foundation of any renovation budget. How to measure existing space and get contractor-ready numbers.
Calculate exact square footage for flooring orders from your floor plan. Waste factors by material type included.
New construction floor plans are architect drawings with precise dimensions. How to calculate GLA before the home is built.
What does this guide library cover?
Step-by-step guides on measuring floor plans, calculating square footage, and getting accurate GLA from any image or PDF. Topics include CubiCasa, Matterport, iGUIDE, Apex Sketch, ANSI Z765, condo and townhouse measurement, multi-story homes, and accuracy tips.
Where should I start?
Start with "Measure Floor Plan Online" for the basic 4-step process. Then read "What Is GLA?" for the appraisal context, and "ANSI Z765 Measurement Guide" for the official standard. Topic-specific guides cover specialized cases (condos, basements, irregular shapes, etc).
Do the guides apply to commercial floor plans?
Most guides focus on residential floor plan measurement (homes, condos, townhouses, manufactured homes). The general principles (perimeter tracing, scale calibration) apply to commercial floor plans, but commercial uses BOMA standards rather than ANSI Z765 for square footage.
Are these guides for appraisers only?
No. The guides are written for anyone who needs to measure a floor plan: appraisers, agents, homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, investors, contractors, and renovation planners. Each guide identifies its target use case at the top.
How accurate is online floor plan measurement?
For a clean to-scale floor plan, results are typically within 1 to 2 percent of a field measurement. Hand sketches and angled phone photos vary more (3 to 10 percent). The "Floor Plan Measurement Accuracy Tips" guide covers how to maximize accuracy.