Calculate electrical dwelling load, HVAC cooling load, or load per square foot from area and load values in ft², m², W, VA, or BTU/h.

Load Per Square Foot Calculator

Choose a tab, enter the values you know, then calculate.

Electrical Dwelling
HVAC Load
Load ÷ Area

General Load

V
× 1500 VA
× 1500 VA

Appliances & Other Loads

VA
VA
VA
VA

Air Conditioning, Heating & EV

VA
VA
VA
%
ft
BTU/h
In this tab, leave one of the three fields blank to solve for it.
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Load Per Square Foot Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the load per square foot for a given total load and area.

L = T / A

Variables:

  • L is the load per square foot
  • T is the total load in pounds (lbs)
  • A is the area in square feet (sq ft)

To calculate the load per square foot, divide the total load by the area. This will give you the load distributed over each square foot of the area.

What is Load Per Square Foot?

Load per square foot is a measure of the weight or force exerted on a given area. It is commonly used in construction and engineering to determine the load-bearing capacity of floors, roofs, and other structures. By understanding the load per square foot, engineers can design structures that are safe and capable of supporting the intended loads without risk of failure. This measurement is crucial for ensuring the structural integrity and safety of buildings and other constructions.

How to Calculate Load Per Square Foot?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Load Per Square Foot.


  1. First, determine the total load (T) in pounds.
  2. Next, determine the area (A) in square feet.
  3. Finally, calculate the load per square foot using the formula L = T / A.
  4. After inserting the values and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Total Load (T) = 500 lbs

Area (A) = 50 sq ft