Zerdly

Cost per Square Metre Calculator

Convert between total cost, area and unit rate for any area-based work — flooring, tiling, paving, concreting, painting, decking or landscaping. Enter any two of the three values and the calculator solves the third, and also shows the rate per square foot for imperial comparisons.

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How to use this calculator

Enter Values

Enter your values and press Calculate to see results.

Before you rely on this: First-pass guide only. Verify safety-critical or regulated work against the relevant standards, your project requirements and a qualified professional.

How to use this calculator

  1. Fill in exactly two of the three fields: total cost ($), area (m²) and rate ($/m²).
  2. Leave the value you want to find blank — the calculator solves it automatically.
  3. To find a unit rate, enter total cost and area; to price a job, enter rate and area; to find how much area a budget covers, enter total cost and rate.
  4. Read the solved value at the top and use the rate-per-square-foot output when comparing against imperial quotes.

How it works

The three quantities are linked by total cost = rate × area. Rearranged: rate = total cost ÷ area, and area = total cost ÷ rate. The tool detects which two you entered and solves the missing one. The rate per square foot is the $/m² rate divided by 10.7639, because one square metre equals 10.7639 square feet.

Worked example

Worked example. A tiling job costs $15,000 to cover 120 m². The unit rate is 15,000 ÷ 120 = $125.00/m² (about $11.61/ft²). Working the other way, quoting 120 m² at $125/m² gives 125 × 120 = $15,000.00, and a $15,000 budget at $125/m² covers 15,000 ÷ 125 = 120 m².

Common mistakes

  • Entering all three values or only one — you must supply exactly two so there is a single unknown to solve.
  • Comparing $/m² rates that cover different scopes (materials only vs. supply-and-install, or different wastage and preparation), which makes cheap-looking rates misleading.
  • Mixing units — enter the area in square metres, not square feet, or convert first.
  • Forgetting that quoted rates often exclude GST, edging, setout or difficult-access loadings.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate cost per square metre?

Divide the total cost by the area in square metres: rate ($/m²) = total cost ÷ area. For example $15,000 over 120 m² is $125/m². Enter the cost and area here and the rate is solved for you.

How do I convert a rate to cost per square foot?

Divide the $/m² rate by 10.7639, since 1 m² = 10.7639 ft². So $125/m² ÷ 10.7639 ≈ $11.61/ft². The calculator shows this automatically.

Can I use this to check a quote?

Yes — enter the quoted total cost and the area to see the implied $/m² rate, then compare it against typical rates for that trade. Just make sure the quotes cover the same materials, preparation and labour.

Does the calculator include GST?

No. It only relates the numbers you enter. If your total cost includes GST the resulting rate does too; if it excludes GST, so does the rate. Be consistent across the quotes you compare.

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