FAR & Buildable Area
Floor area ratio, coverage and setbacks
Results
Plot top view
Feasibility estimate only — local planning rules and zoning bylaws always prevail.
About FAR & Buildable Area
The FAR calculator turns zoning numbers into buildable reality. Enter your plot dimensions, the floor area ratio allowed by zoning, the maximum site coverage, and the required front, rear, and side setbacks — and it computes the maximum buildable floor area, the footprint each rule permits, and which constraint actually governs.
Floor area ratio is the total floor area you may build divided by the plot area: a 600 m² plot with a FAR of 1.5 allows 900 m² of gross floor area. But the footprint is capped twice — by the coverage percentage and by whatever rectangle survives after the setbacks — and the calculator compares both, tells you which one governs, and estimates how many floors you would need to use the full FAR.
A top-view diagram shades the setback zone and the buildable footprint so you can see the constraint at a glance. Developers, architects, and lot buyers use it for quick “what can I build here” feasibility checks — free, in the browser. Local planning rules and zoning bylaws always prevail over this estimate.
How to use FAR & Buildable Area
- Enter the plot width and depth — the plot area is computed for you.
- Set the FAR coefficient allowed by your zoning.
- Enter the maximum site coverage percentage and the front, rear, and side setbacks.
- Read the maximum buildable floor area, the governing footprint, and the estimated number of floors.
- Check the top-view diagram to see the setback zone and buildable area.