PARCIC.Floor area ratio.
See what the numbers mean.
Multiply lot size by FAR, then compare coverage and stories. Explore the arithmetic before researching the actual property.
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Enter the applicable rule values or try a planning assumption. This tool does not look up zoning.
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The entered coverage and story count are the tighter limit.
- FAR area cap
- 10,000 sq ft
- Coverage footprint cap
- 4,000 sq ft
- Footprint × stories
- 8,000 sq ft
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Check available parcel and mapped zoning evidence for free. Save the result when you want to continue. Coverage varies by property.
How to calculate floor area ratio
FAR is floor area divided by lot area. To work in the other direction, multiply the applicable FAR by the lot area. Keep both areas in the same units and use the area definitions in the governing ordinance.
FAR floor-area cap = lot area × FAR
A fictional 10,000 sq ft lot at 1.0 FAR gives a 10,000 sq ft floor-area cap. A 20,000 sq ft lot at 0.5 FAR gives the same cap. Neither result describes the building footprint or proves that a project can be approved.
FAR and lot coverage answer different questions
Coverage limits a footprint under the entered percentage. FAR concerns floor area across the building. In this simplified exercise, every story uses the same footprint and every square foot counts on the same basis.
| Assumed coverage | Stories | Footprint × stories | Lower ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | 2 | 8,000 sq ft | 8,000 sq ft |
| 50% | 2 | 10,000 sq ft | 10,000 sq ft |
| 40% | 3 | 12,000 sq ft | 10,000 sq ft |
The last row exceeds the FAR cap before other constraints are considered. The calculator reports the lower ceiling; it does not design a compliant building.
Find the inputs before relying on the answer
- Confirm the legal site and lot area. A tax parcel, sale listing and zoning lot may describe different boundaries.
- Find the governing district, intended use and applicable FAR. Check overlays, amendments and use-specific rules.
- Verify the ordinance’s definitions of floor area and lot coverage. Basements, parking and other areas may be treated differently.
- Review height, setbacks, density, access and parking separately. A story assumption is not a verified height allowance.
Start with the zoning code and map directory or California zoning references. Use the zoning evidence guide to keep missing requirements visible.
Common questions
Is FAR the same as buildable square footage?
A FAR calculation is one area constraint. Other rules and site conditions can produce a smaller building or prevent the proposed use. This calculator establishes no development rights.
Can I enter acres or square meters?
Yes. One acre is 43,560 sq ft; square meters are converted using one foot = 0.3048 meters. Results display in square feet so the comparison uses one basis.
Does it subtract the existing building?
No. The result is a total-area exercise, not remaining development capacity. An addition needs verified existing FAR-counted floor area, applicable exclusions and a property-specific review.
Can I send this to my project team?
Open “Share or reset” and copy the scenario link. It includes the numeric assumptions and units only. It does not identify a property, save a private study or verify a rule.
Reference and method
The NYC Zoning Resolution’s FAR definition provides an official example of floor area divided by lot area. It is an explanatory reference, not a rule applied to your property. Local definitions and applicable limits must be checked with the relevant authority.
The coverage-and-stories comparison is PARCIC’s simplified arithmetic exercise. It uses the smaller of the FAR cap and footprint × stories and does not model a site layout.
Tool and explanation updated October 27, 2026. Calculation inputs remain unverified assumptions.