# Option in Layout that automatically calculates square feet for residential spaces? **URL:** \ **Category:** LayOut\ **Tags:** sketchup, advice, layout\ **Created:** [May 22, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399 "2025-05-22T12:24:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DrewS75](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/drews75/32/192329_2.png) [@DrewS75](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DrewS75)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/1 "2025-05-22T12:24:16Z")
I am wanting to be able to do quick calculations for square feet for residential spaces for scenarios like flooring and drywall from our SketchUp models we bring into Layout for estimating and build plans. Does anyone know where I can find this functionality if it does indeed exist? Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 12:31pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/2 "2025-05-22T12:31:01Z")
You can show the area of faces from the model using labels. ![Screenshot - 5_22_2025 , 7_32_46 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/3X/2/0/2017395b2510f5ac2451603f5c1dba451081e140.png) ---
**Author:** ![francisquitof](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/francisquitof/32/191263_2.png) [@francisquitof](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/francisquitof)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/3 "2025-05-22T13:18:02Z")
There are different ways to do it, manually could be checkin on the entity info tray after selecting the surfaces or use the labeling tool on layout, there are also plug-ins that can do that automatically and export to an excel file that you can import from LayOut as well. ---
**Author:** ![DrewS75](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/drews75/32/192329_2.png) [@DrewS75](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DrewS75)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 2:38pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/4 "2025-05-22T14:38:23Z")
Care to name any of those plugins? This is for contractor purposes, so I think being able to provide them with something similar to a spreadsheet would be hugely beneficial. ---
**Author:** ![bmike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/bmike/32/225451_2.png) [@bmike](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/bmike)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 5:12pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/5 "2025-05-22T17:12:30Z")
Maybe this one: > [@5D+ Plus - Automate the creation of Construction Drawings](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/5d-plus-automate-the-creation-of-construction-drawings/259126): > > Introduction 5D+ Plus is an extension for SketchUp that simplifies, synchronizes, and automates the creation of construction drawings, provides and retrieves information from models across multiple files and at any phase of the project, and more. Key Features Automatically create multiple scenes with One Click. Automatically create hatches for sections with [Curic Section](https://gumroad.com/a/749603283/XfPGm). Automatically drawn property boundary from points coordinates. Automatically create construction grids for pl… Also if you are smart about how you model you can use the built in Generate Report out of SKP. I tend to use Leaders in LO that pull in face or component data. ---
**Author:** ![DrewS75](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/drews75/32/192329_2.png) [@DrewS75](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DrewS75)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/6 "2025-05-23T15:07:41Z")
Thank you, but we’re looking for a solution that’s not going to cost anything. ---
**Author:** ![bmike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/bmike/32/225451_2.png) [@bmike](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/bmike)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/7 "2025-05-23T15:40:54Z")
Generate Report… built into SKP. OpenCutList Use Leaders as I (and I think DaveR) suggested. I hope you get paid for your work though, being able to generate accurate take offs is a skill you should get compensated for. ---
**Author:** ![DrewS75](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/drews75/32/192329_2.png) [@DrewS75](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DrewS75)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 4:08pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/8 "2025-05-23T16:08:22Z")
Thank you. I get paid hourly and am getting paid to do this research. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DrewS75](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/drews75/32/192329_2.png) [@DrewS75](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DrewS75)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/9 "2025-06-02T16:25:19Z")
Can this be adjusted to show as sq ft rather than inches? ![Screenshot 2025-06-02 at 11.24.23 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/3X/8/0/801c44f2708bf61a940b5fad1cb2995c740f41a8.png) ---
**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2025, 4:30pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/10 "2025-06-02T16:30:10Z")
Set the Units to Architectural. ![Screenshot - 6_2_2025 , 11_27_35 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/3X/4/1/41aac2681f6418962738c7b2cf51678c1811295e.png) Or Decimal Feet ![Screenshot - 6_2_2025 , 11_29_43 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/3X/b/0/b0c57d01859966554434d0785792221ce999aedf.png) ---
**Author:** ![DrewS75](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/drews75/32/192329_2.png) [@DrewS75](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DrewS75)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/11 "2025-06-02T16:48:26Z")
Thank you, I typically have it set to fractional when dimensioning cabinets and such and realized that after my post. ---
**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/12 "2025-06-02T16:52:26Z")
> [@DrewS75](#): > > I typically have it set to fractional when dimensioning cabinets The handy thing here is that the labels won’t change units after they are placed. Add the labels first with units set to give you square feet and then switch to Fractional for dimensioning. FWIW, I do all my dimensioning in LayOut so the model units don’t matter. You’re quite welcome. ---
**Author:** ![DrewS75](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/drews75/32/192329_2.png) [@DrewS75](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DrewS75)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/option-in-layout-that-automatically-calculates-square-feet-for-residential-spaces/328399/13 "2025-06-02T17:41:54Z")
Thanks for the tip. We are going to really only use this as internal use for informational purposes to give our tile and drywall contractors. I do all of my dimensioning in LayOut also.