Calculate the countable living area under the WoFlV from a list of rooms - with sloped ceilings, balconies and non-countable areas, plus a factor and rationale per room.
Available
Inputs
Enter values
Live
Rooms
For each room record the floor area and room type; for sloped ceilings the height shares.
1/8
Room 1
m²
%
Only for sloped ceilings.
%
Only for sloped ceilings.
Only for a permissible range, e.g. outdoor areas (0–0.5).
Load example
For illustration only – your own calculation is what counts.
Explanation
How Living space calculator works
The living space calculator determines the countable living area under the Living Space Ordinance. For each room, the floor area, room type and - for sloped ceilings - the height shares are recorded. The legal values come from a central, versioned reference.
Counting by height
Height countingarea ≥ 2 m × 1 + area 1–2 m × 0.5 + area < 1 m × 0
Section 4 no. 1 and no. 2 WoFlV.
Special areas
Outdoor areasfloor area × factor (usually 0.25, maximum 0.5)
Section 4 no. 4 WoFlV for a balcony, loggia, roof garden and terrace.
Practice
Practical examples
For illustration only – your own calculation is what counts.
Attic room with a sloped ceiling
20 m2 floor area, of which 60 % at full height (>= 2 m) and 30 % between 1 m and under 2 m, the rest under 1 m.
Result: Countable are 12 m2 in full plus 3 m2 at half, i.e. 15 m2 of the 20 m2 floor area.
Balcony under the WoFlV
8 m2 balcony, counted under section 4 no. 4 WoFlV usually at a quarter.
Result: Countable are 2 m2 (a quarter of 8 m2); at most a half would be permissible.
Notes
Common mistakes
Sloped ceiling counted in full
A room with a slope is counted entirely as living area.
Count the height shares separately under section 4 WoFlV: from 2 m in full, 1-2 m at half, below that not at all.
Balcony counted in full
The entire balcony area is counted as living area.
Balconies usually count at a quarter, at most at a half.
Cellar as living area
Ancillary rooms such as the cellar or garage are counted.
Ancillary rooms under section 2(3) WoFlV do not belong to the living area.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does the living space calculator compute?
It determines the countable living area under the Living Space Ordinance (Wohnflaechenverordnung) from a list of rooms and shows the factor used per room together with a rationale.
On what basis does it calculate?
Solely on the basis of the Living Space Ordinance (sections 2-4 WoFlV). The legal values come from a central, dated reference with a status and validity.
How are sloped ceilings taken into account?
Areas with a clear height of at least 2 m count in full, from 1 m to under 2 m at half and under 1 m not at all. You state the height shares per room.
How are balconies and terraces counted?
Balconies, loggias, roof gardens and terraces count under section 4 no. 4 WoFlV usually at a quarter, at most at a half. The permissible factor is limited accordingly.
Which areas do not count towards the living area?
Ancillary rooms such as the cellar, laundry room, boiler room, drying room and garages are not living area under section 2(3) WoFlV and are not counted.
How is a conservatory treated?
An unheatable conservatory as well as a swimming pool count under section 4 no. 3 WoFlV at half. Heatable conservatories can count in full; such cases require review.
Can I enter my own factor?
Only for room types with a technically permissible range, such as outdoor areas. The calculator limits the entry to the range permitted under the WoFlV.
What does the marking as requiring review mean?
Special cases such as outdoor areas, conservatories or swimming pools depend on the specific circumstances. The calculator flags them so that you review them case by case.
Why does the living area differ from the floor area?
The floor area is the measured floor surface. The living area takes into account height ranges, outdoor areas and non-countable rooms and is therefore usually smaller.
Does the Living Space Ordinance always apply?
For privately financed housing, the earlier Second Calculation Ordinance (II. Berechnungsverordnung) or a contractual agreement may also apply. The calculator uses the WoFlV as the basis common today.
Is this a binding area determination?
No. The calculator does not claim a binding legal area determination. A measurement by qualified professionals and the contractual agreements are decisive.
Limits
Limitations
Calculation solely under the WoFlV; differing contractual or older bases are not reflected.
Special cases such as outdoor areas, conservatories and swimming pools are flagged as requiring review.
No binding legal area determination; a professional measurement and the contract are decisive.
Sources
Sources and references
Wohnflächenverordnung (WoFlV)Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz
Official ordinance for calculating the countable living area (sections 2-4 WoFlV), in force since 1 January 2004.
View sourceRetrieved: 08/03/2026 · Verified on: 08/03/2026 · Primary source
§ 556 BGB – Vereinbarungen über BetriebskostenBundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz
Official basis for allocating operating and service charges in residential tenancies.
View sourceRetrieved: 08/03/2026 · Verified on: 08/03/2026 · Primary source
Betriebskostenverordnung (BetrKV)Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz
Official list of the allocable types of operating costs as the basis of the service-charge items.
View sourceRetrieved: 08/03/2026 · Verified on: 08/03/2026 · Primary source
The living area is one basis for valuation when buying.
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