How to measure an estate agent's floor plan

Property listings come with a floor plan and room sizes, but rarely the measurement you actually need: will the sofa fit on that wall? Here's how to find out.

1. Save the floor plan

   Save the floor plan image from the listing, or take a screenshot of it.

2. Add it to the board

   Drag it onto the board.

3. Calibrate on a stated room size

   Pick the largest room and calibrate on its printed length, for example 5.20 m. Then check the scale against another room's printed size.

4. Measure and sketch

   Measure wall lengths and alcoves, and draw your furniture as rectangles at exact sizes (select one and type its width and depth) to see what fits.

Why the plan says “not to scale”

Listing floor plans are drawn for illustration, and room sizes are often taken to the widest point, including bays. Treat measurements as a good guide, and measure up in person before you buy anything big.