People Per Square Foot Calculator

| Added in Construction

What is People Per Square Foot?

People Per Square Foot is an occupancy density metric that measures how many people are in each square foot of space. This calculation is crucial for space planning, building code compliance, event management, and ensuring safe and comfortable occupancy levels.

How to Calculate People Per Square Foot

The formula for calculating people per square foot is:

[\text{People Per Square Foot} = \frac{\text{Total Number of People}}{\text{Total Square Footage}}]

Where:

  • People Per Square Foot is the occupancy density
  • Total Number of People is the count of occupants
  • Total Square Footage is the floor area in square feet

Calculation Example

Suppose a conference room has 50 people in a 1,000 square foot space.

Step 1: Identify the values:

  • Total People: 50
  • Square Footage: 1,000 ft²

Step 2: Apply the formula:

[\text{People Per Square Foot} = \frac{50}{1000}]

Step 3: Calculate:

[\text{People Per Square Foot} = 0.05]

The density is 0.05 people per square foot, meaning each person has 20 square feet of space.

Occupancy Guidelines

Space Type Typical Density Square Feet Per Person
Office (cubicles) 0.0067 150
Conference room 0.067 15
Standing event 0.17 6
Assembly seating 0.14 7
Restaurant 0.067 15

Frequently Asked Questions

This metric helps with space planning, fire code compliance, event capacity planning, and ensuring comfortable occupancy levels in buildings and venues.

Office spaces typically allow 100-150 square feet per person. For standing events, 5-6 square feet per person is common. Fire codes vary by building type.

Divide 1 by the people per square foot result. For example, if the density is 0.01 people/ft², each person has 100 square feet.

Building codes set maximum occupancy limits based on square footage to ensure safe evacuation in emergencies and adequate ventilation.