| Use case | Shape | Dimensions | Area (ft²) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed starting corner | Rectangle | 6 ft × 4 ft | 24.00 | Fits two racks and a small potting bin. |
| Round pot display | Circle | Radius 3 ft | 28.27 | Good for rotating plants near a window. |
| Workbench nook | L-Shape | (5×3) + (4×2) ft | 23.00 | Keep a clear path by subtracting 3 ft². |
- Rectangle: Area = Length × Width. Perimeter = 2 × (Length + Width).
- Circle: Area = π × r². Perimeter = 2 × π × r.
- Triangle: Area = (Base × Height) ÷ 2.
- L-Shape: Area = (L1×W1) + (L2×W2). Perimeter is estimated and can use shared edge length.
- Wall coverage: Wall Area = Perimeter × Ceiling Height (when perimeter is available).
- Deductions: Net Area = Max(0, Base Area − Unusable Area).
- Select the room shape that matches your gardening space.
- Choose feet or meters, then enter the required dimensions.
- Optionally subtract unusable area for vents, cabinets, or pathways.
- Enable wall coverage if you plan liners, reflective film, or panels.
- Press calculate; the result appears above the form instantly.
- Use the download buttons to save the report as CSV or PDF.
Planning growing zones by square footage
Square footage translates directly into usable planting zones. A 10×12 ft room is 120 ft²; if you reserve a 24 ft² walkway, you still have 96 ft² for trays, shelves, or pots. Use the subtract option for sinks, dehumidifiers, or storage so your crop plan matches real floor space and weekly labor.
Bench and rack capacity estimates
Benches are often 2 ft deep. In a 96 ft² net area, a layout with three 2×8 ft benches uses 48 ft² of bench surface while leaving edge access for pruning. For seedling racks, a 4-tier rack multiplies canopy surface without changing floor area, so tracking floor space helps you balance vertical stacking with safe aisle width.
Container spacing and access paths
Most 5-gallon containers need about 1.5–2.0 ft of center-to-center spacing, while larger fabric pots may need 2.5 ft. A 36 ft² zone can hold 9–16 pots depending on airflow targets and trellis needs. Deducting fixed obstacles and keeping a minimum 2 ft path reduces disease pressure, improves runoff control, and makes watering faster.
Floor protection and liner purchasing
Floor liners, pond underlayment, or weed-mat rolls are sold by area. If your calculated net area is 96 ft², add 10% for trimming and seams and plan for roughly 106 ft² of material. Perimeter values help estimate edging, tape, or foam strip lengths, and wall area estimates help price reflective film when you line a tent or a dedicated grow room.
Shape choices for real rooms
Not every space is a clean rectangle. Use L-shape to add two rectangles for a nook plus a main bay, or use triangle for angled corners under stairs. When measuring in meters, the calculator still reports ft², which is useful for products labeled in imperial units. Save results to CSV to compare multiple rooms and pick the most efficient layout. Recheck dimensions at the baseboard line, not at shelving height, and record deductions consistently so future expansions stay comparable across seasons.
1) Why does the calculator show both ft² and m²?
Many garden products list coverage in ft², while plans may be measured in meters. Showing both keeps purchasing and layout decisions consistent across unit systems.
2) What should I enter for unusable area?
Subtract footprints you cannot plant on, such as cabinets, sinks, pillars, or a permanent walkway. Use the same method every time to compare different rooms fairly.
3) How accurate is the L-shape perimeter?
It is an estimate based on two rectangles and an optional shared edge. If your sections overlap more than expected, increase the shared edge length to better match the outline.
4) Can I use this for raised beds or garden plots?
Yes. Choose the closest shape, enter dimensions, and treat paths or borders as deductions. The net area can guide soil, mulch, fabric, or ground cover quantities.
5) When should I enable wall coverage?
Enable it when you are pricing liners, reflective film, panels, or washable surfaces. Wall area is calculated from perimeter and ceiling height for shapes with perimeter support.
6) What’s the best way to save multiple scenarios?
Run each layout, then download CSV to compare areas, perimeters, and wall coverage in one spreadsheet. Use the PDF option for a clean record to share.