Building area terms refer to various measurements and calculations used in the field of architecture,
construction, and real estate to describe and quantify different areas of a building. Here is a detailed
summary of some common building area terms:
Gross Floor Area (GFA): Gross Floor Area, also known as Gross Building Area or Total Floor Area, refers to
the total area of a building measured from the exterior walls, including all enclosed spaces, such as floor
area of all floors, mezzanines, basements, and attics. It includes both usable and non-usable areas, such
as mechanical rooms, circulation areas, and walls.
Net Floor Area (NFA): Net Floor Area, also known as Rentable Area or Leasable Area, refers to the area of
a building that can be rented or leased to tenants. It excludes common areas, such as hallways, lobbies,
staircases, and mechanical rooms, and only includes the usable areas that are available for occupancy by
tenants.
Usable Floor Area (UFA): Usable Floor Area refers to the area of a building that is suitable for occupancy
and use by occupants. It includes all spaces that are intended for human habitation or use, such as
offices, apartments, and other functional areas, excluding non-usable spaces like mechanical rooms,
shafts, and voids.
Circulation Area: Circulation Area refers to the spaces within a building that are used for circulation or
movement, such as corridors, hallways, and staircases. It is typically excluded from the Gross Floor Area
and Net Floor Area calculations, as it is not considered usable or rentable space.
Common Area: Common Area refers to the spaces within a building that are used by all occupants or
tenants, such as lobbies, waiting areas, shared restrooms, and shared conference rooms. Common Areas
are typically excluded from the Net Floor Area calculations, as they are not rentable space, but may be
included in the Gross Floor Area.
Exterior Wall Area: Exterior Wall Area refers to the total surface area of the external walls of a building,
including windows, doors, and other openings. It is used in calculations for various purposes, such as
estimating construction costs, determining energy requirements, and assessing building performance.
Site Area: Site Area refers to the total area of land on which a building or structure is located. It includes
the area within the property boundaries, excluding any public right-of-way or easements. Site Area is
construction, and real estate to describe and quantify different areas of a building. Here is a detailed
summary of some common building area terms:
Gross Floor Area (GFA): Gross Floor Area, also known as Gross Building Area or Total Floor Area, refers to
the total area of a building measured from the exterior walls, including all enclosed spaces, such as floor
area of all floors, mezzanines, basements, and attics. It includes both usable and non-usable areas, such
as mechanical rooms, circulation areas, and walls.
Net Floor Area (NFA): Net Floor Area, also known as Rentable Area or Leasable Area, refers to the area of
a building that can be rented or leased to tenants. It excludes common areas, such as hallways, lobbies,
staircases, and mechanical rooms, and only includes the usable areas that are available for occupancy by
tenants.
Usable Floor Area (UFA): Usable Floor Area refers to the area of a building that is suitable for occupancy
and use by occupants. It includes all spaces that are intended for human habitation or use, such as
offices, apartments, and other functional areas, excluding non-usable spaces like mechanical rooms,
shafts, and voids.
Circulation Area: Circulation Area refers to the spaces within a building that are used for circulation or
movement, such as corridors, hallways, and staircases. It is typically excluded from the Gross Floor Area
and Net Floor Area calculations, as it is not considered usable or rentable space.
Common Area: Common Area refers to the spaces within a building that are used by all occupants or
tenants, such as lobbies, waiting areas, shared restrooms, and shared conference rooms. Common Areas
are typically excluded from the Net Floor Area calculations, as they are not rentable space, but may be
included in the Gross Floor Area.
Exterior Wall Area: Exterior Wall Area refers to the total surface area of the external walls of a building,
including windows, doors, and other openings. It is used in calculations for various purposes, such as
estimating construction costs, determining energy requirements, and assessing building performance.
Site Area: Site Area refers to the total area of land on which a building or structure is located. It includes
the area within the property boundaries, excluding any public right-of-way or easements. Site Area is
