When you're comparing house designs or looking for a block of land, you'll come across several different measurements. Home sizes are often described in squares or square metres, while blocks are usually described by their lot size and dimensions, such as width and depth.

Understanding these measurements can make it easier to compare house designs, work out how large your home is and determine whether a particular floor plan is suitable for your block.

At a glance: Squares vs Square Metres

1 square = 9.290304m²

Squares are traditionally used in Australia to describe house floor area, while square metres are used for both house and land measurements.

What are house squares?

A square is a traditional unit of measurement used in the Australian building and housing industry to describe the floor area of a home.

One square equals 9.290304 square metres (m²).

When a home design is described as a 20-square or 30-square home, the number generally refers to the home's floor area rather than the size of the block it sits on.

Simonds uses house size measurements alongside other information such as minimum lot width and depth when describing its home designs. For example, current Simonds designs can show the home's area in both square metres and squares, helping you compare designs and understand their size.

Squares vs square metres: what's the difference?

The main difference between squares and square metres is simply the unit used to describe an area.

The terms can describe related measurements, but they are not interchangeable.

For example, a house might have a floor area of 20 squares, equivalent to approximately 185.8m², while the block it sits on could be 350m².

How do you calculate house squares?

To calculate the number of squares in a house, first work out the home's total floor area in square metres.

If you know the floor area in square metres, use the formula:

House squares = total floor area in m² ÷ 9.290304

For example, if a home has a total floor area of 200m²:

200 ÷ 9.290304 = 21.5 squares

If you know the number of squares and want to convert it to square metres, use the reverse calculation:

House area in m² = number of squares × 9.290304

For example:

25 × 9.290304 = 232.3m²

House squares to square metres conversion table

These figures are conversions only. The way a home's floor area is calculated or displayed can depend on the builder and the areas included in the stated house size.

What are lot size measurements?

A lot size describes the total area of a block of land, usually measured in square metres.

For a simple rectangular block, you can calculate the lot area by multiplying its length by its width:

Lot area = length × width

For example, a block measuring 12.5m wide and 28m deep would have a simple calculated area of:

12.5 × 28 = 350m²

This means the block has an area of approximately 350 square metres.

However, not every block is a perfect rectangle. Corner lots, irregularly shaped blocks, battle-axe lots and blocks with angled boundaries may require the dimensions shown on a title plan, plan of subdivision or survey rather than a simple length × width calculation.

How do you find or measure your lot size?

There are several ways to find your lot size or lot dimensions.

Check your property documents

Your title documents, plan of subdivision or survey information may show the boundaries and dimensions of your block. These documents are generally more reliable than estimating from an online map.

Check the property listing

Real estate listings and house and land packages commonly provide the lot area and, in some cases, the block width and depth.

Use a property or mapping service

Online property and mapping services can provide an estimate of lot boundaries or land area. However, these should not be treated as a substitute for a survey or legal property documentation where precise measurements are required.

Measure the block

If you are measuring a straightforward rectangular lot yourself, measure the width and depth and multiply them together.

For an irregular block, several measurements may be needed and the calculation is more complicated. If exact boundaries or dimensions are important for your build, use the relevant property documentation or obtain professional advice.

How do house size and lot size work together?

The size of your house and the size of your lot are related, but they are not the same measurement.

A larger house generally requires more space on the block, but floor area alone doesn’t determine whether a design will fit.

You may also need to consider:

• lot width and depth

• house width and depth

• setbacks

• site coverage requirements

• private open space

• easements

• driveway and garage access

• site slope

• planning requirements

• the orientation of the block

• the position of neighbouring properties.

For this reason, a house that appears small enough based on total floor area may not fit comfortably on a particular block if its width, depth or required setbacks are unsuitable.

Simonds home designs provide information such as house area, house width, house depth and minimum block dimensions, making it easier to assess how a design relates to the block it is intended for.

Frequently asked questions

How many square metres are in one square?

One square equals 9.290304m², commonly rounded to 9.29m².

Is lot size the same as house size?

No. House size describes the floor area of the home, while lot size describes the total area of the block of land. 

How do I find the size of my lot?

Check your property documents, plan of subdivision, survey information or property listing for the lot area and dimensions. Online mapping and property services can also provide estimates, but precise measurements should be confirmed against appropriate property documentation.

How many squares do I need for my house?

The number of squares you need depends on your household, preferred layout, number of bedrooms and living spaces, budget and available block. Rather than choosing a house size by squares alone, consider how the floor plan works for your lifestyle and whether the design suits your lot dimensions.

How can I check if a house design will fit on my block?

This depends on more than the total area of the house and block. Lot width, depth, setbacks, site coverage, easements, access, slope and planning requirements can all affect whether a particular house design is suitable. Check the minimum block dimensions and site requirements for the specific home design.

Find a Simonds home design for your block

Understanding squares, square metres and lot dimensions can make it easier to compare home designs and find a floor plan that works for your block.

Explore Simonds home designs to compare house sizes, floor plans and dimensions, or browse house and land packages to find designs matched with available blocks. We proudly build new homes across Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia.