How to use this calculator
- Enter or choose units.
- Enter or choose room length.
- Enter or choose room width.
- Enter or choose area reserved (teacher zone, storage, aisles).
- Enter or choose area per student.
- The students the room holds updates as you type. Use Copy result or Share to keep it.
Method
Usable area = Length × Width − Reserved; Capacity = min(⌊Usable ÷ Area per student⌋, Occupancy limit)
- Reserved
- area that students cannot use
- Area per student
- the space allowance you must meet
Worked example
- Floor area = 9 × 7 = 63 m².
- Usable = 63 − 8 = 55 m².
- 55 ÷ 2 = 27.5, rounded down to 27 students.
A 9 × 7 m room with 8 m² reserved holds 27 students at 2 m² each.
What the result means
Round down, never up: a fractional student means the last one would not get the full allowance. Lab, art and early-years rooms usually need far more space per child than lecture-style rooms.
Assumptions and limits
- The room is a rectangle; for L-shaped rooms add the areas yourself and enter them as length × 1.
- Space allowances, exits and fire limits are set locally; this tool does not check them.
Questions
How much space does each student need?
It depends on age, activity and local rules. Enter the figure from your education authority or building code.
Should I reserve area for the teacher?
Yes. Teacher desk, board access, storage and walkways are not usable seating space.