How to measure floor area yourself, and what the different sizes in property listings mean.
Size is one of the first things we look at when buying, selling or renting, yet one number often hides several questions. Why does the same apartment sometimes have two sizes? Here are the terms, and how to check the space yourself.
Registered, net, gross and heated area
- Registered area: the size officially recorded in the cadastre, the legally relevant figure.
- Usable (net) area: the space you actually have inside the walls; most often used in listings and valuations.
- Construction (gross) area: measured on the outside dimensions before plaster, tiles or parquet.
- Heated area: only the heated part, without terraces, loggias or garages; you find it on the electricity bill.
Changes to the layout, such as closing a terrace or moving walls, can make the usable area larger or smaller than the registered one, and they are often not recorded.
How to measure by hand
Multiply the length by the width of each room (5 × 4 m = 20 m²) and add up the rooms. Split irregular rooms into rectangles and squares, measure each and add them up.
- Prepare a tape or laser measure, paper, pencil and ruler.
- Measure each room separately, length and width.
- Write down every dimension.
- Multiply length by width for each part.
- Add all parts together for the total.
Do you need a professional?
When precision matters, as in a purchase or sale, hire a licensed surveyor for exact, officially recognised figures. If you plan to sell and want a precise valuation, the City Expert team is at your disposal.
