Question 1

What is floor area ratio (FAR)?

Accepted Answer

FAR = total building floor area / site area. A FAR of 2.0 on a 1,000m2 site allows 2,000m2 of total floor area across all floors. FAR limits are set by local planning authorities and vary by zone type.

Question 2

What is plot coverage in architecture?

Accepted Answer

Plot coverage = building footprint area / total site area x 100%. A 40% plot coverage means 40% of the site is covered by the building's ground floor footprint. The remainder must remain as open space, landscaping, or parking.

Question 3

What is daylight factor?

Accepted Answer

Daylight factor is the ratio of internal illuminance to external illuminance under overcast sky conditions, expressed as a percentage. A daylight factor above 2% is considered well daylit for most uses. Living rooms target 1.5%; kitchens 2%.

Question 4

Are these architecture tools free?

Accepted Answer

Yes - completely free, no sign-up required. Results export to CSV or PDF.

Free Architecture Tools & Calculators

Architecture calculators for design and feasibility

Architecture Tools - FAQ