How to Square a Room

Whether you’re installing flooring or cabinets, the first step to a renovation project is ensuring that the room is square.

Some DIYers might think that eyeballing the space is enough to determine if it is right, but for the best results, it’s important for you to learn how to square a room.

Below are a few methods to help you learn how to square a building or room that'll set your project up for success!

Methods for Squaring a Room

Method 1: 5-4-3 or the Pythagorean Theorem method.

Follow these steps to determine if the corners of a room are at 90° angles (square):

• Use a tape measure to measure 3 feet from one corner and make a mark on the floor.
• Take the tape measure again, but this time measure 4 feet from the adjacent wall off the same corner and make a mark on the floor.
• Find the difference between the two marks on the floor. If you get 5 feet, you have a perfect 90° angle and a square room!

Method 2: Measure the Diagonal.

With this formula, you measure the diagonals that exist from all four corners of the room using these steps:

• Use a tape measure to measure the distance from one corner to the corner on the diagonal, and write down the measurement.
• Take the tape measure to repeat the process for the remaining two corners and write down the measurements.
• If the measurements are identical, you have a perfect square.

How to Square a Room for Flooring

Whether you’re planning to install tile or wood flooring, this method will help you identify the middle point of the room if it were actually a perfect square. If you want your tile or wood flooring to lie correctly in your space, you have to know this information.

Here’s how you can determine if the room is square:

• Using a tape measure, locate the center point on each of the four walls and write down the measurements.
• Divide the length of each wall in half and make a mark for this spot on each wall.
• Connect the marks on the opposite walls using a chalk line on the floor.
• Make another chalk line from the adjacent wall across to the opposite wall, drawing a cross that meets at the room’s center.
• From there, you can begin to lay tile or wood floors using the cross in the center as your starting point.

Turn to the Experts for Help Squaring a Room

Whether you’re looking for a professional who knows how to square a room for flooring or you'd like them to do all the work, your local Mr. Handyman® offers the home repair or home maintenance services you need. Our professionals have an average of over ten years of experience, and we can help make your life easier by making your home projects more successful.

From squaring a room to installing flooring, all of our projects come with the Neighborly Done Right Promise™, which means your satisfaction is guaranteed! Request your handyman service today!