The Wohnflächenverordnung (WoFlV) is the German law that sets the standard for measuring residential property areas.
This standard applies exclusively to residential properties and is not suitable for commercial spaces like restaurants, shops, or offices.
Measurement Basis
Measurement Start: Measurements are taken from the finished surface of the wall.
Living Area: Includes all liveable rooms entirely (100%) and partially liveable spaces like balconies, terraces, and roof gardens at 25% by default, up to a maximum of 50%.
Note: The law defines only the living area, but in practice, other spaces are also shown. We refer to these additional spaces as usable area.
Usable area: Uninhabitable Rooms. Includes garages, attics, sheds, communal spaces, and rooms on basement floors.
Living Area Inclusions
Liveable Rooms: Counted fully.
Partially Livable Spaces: Balconies, terraces, and roof gardens are included at 25% by default, adjustable to 50%. The inclusion values can be adjusted in the floor plan editor on a per project basis for all rooms.
Niches: Window niches that extend to the floor and are more than 0.13 meters deep are included. Door niches are excluded.
Stairs & landing: Included only if they have no more than three steps.
Free-standing pillars, chimneys, and half-walls: included in the living area only if they are both less than 1.5 meters in height and have a base area of less than 0.1 square meters.
Living Area vs. Usable Area: The sum of these areas is displayed separately in the floor plan.
Reduced Headroom Areas
Ceiling Height < 1 Meter: Excluded from living area.
Ceiling Height 1-2 Meters: Included at 50% of the area.
Ceiling Height > 2 Meters: Included fully at 100%.
Note: Reduced headroom rules will also apply to all aforementioned items (e.g., window recess areas). If the space qualifies and is included in the area calculation, headroom will determine whether the area is included at 50% or 100%.