How to Measure Square Feet for a Kitchen Counter Top Space

The material and labor costs of a kitchen countertop is typically based on the area of the countertop. Whether you're ordering a prefabricated stone or laminate countertop, or estimating the amount of tiling materials you'll need, determining the area of countertop in square feet is the first step in the project. The formula used applies to kitchen countertops of any shape, as well as island countertops.

• 1

  Measure the depth of the proposed countertop, from the rear wall to the front edge, and record this measurement in inches as dimension "A." The countertop depth can be estimated as the depth dimension of the base cabinets plus approximately 2 inches for a standard countertop overhang.

• 2

  Measure the length of the first section of countertop, from an end to an inside wall corner where the section being measured meets the perpendicular section of countertop. Record this measurement as dimension "B."

• 3

  Determine the area of the countertop section by multiplying dimension "A" in inches by dimension "B" in inches to calculate the total square inches of the section. Divide the total number by 144, the number of square inches in a square foot, to determine the square feet in the area.

• 4

  Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to define the area of any specific rectangle of countertop space, making certain not to overlap any area previously measured.

• 5

  Add the total area calculation for each section of countertop together to determine the overall square footage of the countertop area.