FloorAreaRatioCalculator

What is Floor Area Ratio (FAR)?

FAR is a planning tool used by local governments to regulate the density of development within specific zones. It represents the total floor area of a building compared to the size of the land it occupies, helping to ensure that development is balanced with the capacity of the surrounding infrastructure.

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter the Total Floor Area of your building in square feet. This is the sum of all floor areas including basements and mezzanines.
2. Enter the Land Area of your property in square feet. This is the total area of the land on which the building is constructed.
3. Click the Calculate button to compute the Floor Area Ratio.
4. The result will be displayed as a number (e.g., 2.5 means that for every 1 square foot of land, there are 2.5 square feet of floor area).

Understanding the Results

The calculated FAR can be used to:

• Determine if your development project meets local zoning regulations
• Understand the maximum potential density of your property
• Compare different development scenarios

Example Calculation

If your building has 50,000 square feet of total floor area and sits on a 20,000 square foot lot:

FAR = 50,000 sq ft / 20,000 sq ft = 2.5

This means you have a Floor Area Ratio of 2.5, allowing for a building that is 2.5 times the size of your lot.