Above-grade vs. below-grade square footage.
Square footage reported for a home usually separates finished above-grade area from below-grade (basement) area. Standards and local practice vary; the important thing is measuring consistently and labeling clearly.
On the App Store · iPhone & iPad · iOS/iPadOS 17.6 or later · No account needed for local work.
- Definitions
- How to measure
- Label clearly
What usually counts.
| Above grade | Below grade | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Levels entirely above ground | Levels partly or fully below ground (basements) |
| Typical reporting | Main finished living area | Reported separately even if finished |
| Measured | Commonly exterior dimensions for houses | Same method, labeled separately |
Measurement standards (e.g., ANSI Z765 for single-family homes) and local appraisal practice govern formal reporting; check which applies.
Measure the room. Hand off a measured plan.
On the App Store for iPhone and iPad (iOS/iPadOS 17.6 or later). Local capture, editing, notes and reports work on the device without an account.
- Capture on site. Scan with LiDAR on supported devices, tap to capture corners without LiDAR where supported, or trace linear runs for pipe and conduit work.
- Correct what changes the job. Adjust wall geometry and heights; add or edit doors, windows, openings and pillars; enter notches and bump-outs; undo and redo.
- Read dimensions in context. Move between a dimensioned 2D floor plan and a 3D room, in feet and inches or metric.
- Keep the evidence. Site photos, room notes, installation instructions and approximate finish references stay with the room.
- Export the handoff. PDF report, CSV quantities, JSON data or a USDZ model.
Questions estimators ask
Is a basement counted in square footage?
Usually reported separately as below-grade area, even when finished.
What about walkout basements?
Practices vary; many standards still treat any level partly below grade as below grade.
How do I measure room areas?
For interior room areas, MeasurePro captures rooms and exports CSV. Formal home measurement follows the applicable standard.
Are garages included?
Typically not in finished living area.
Start with a room. Plan the work that follows.
Download MeasurePro for local work. When you want measurements to flow into takeoff review, pricing and proposals, evaluate the connected RenderDraw Platform workflow.
- Download MeasurePro from the App Store.
- Measure and correct one representative room.
- Bring it to RenderDraw to walk one quantity through review, pricing and output.