Building Coverage Ratio and FAR Calculator — Korean Zoning Limits
CalculatorThe building coverage ratio and FAR calculator is a browser-based calculator that computes coverage (building area ÷ land area × 100) and floor area ratio (total floor area ÷ land area × 100) and compares them with Korean zoning caps.
Important basis and limitations
- Basis date
- Content basis date: 2026-07-06
- Scope
- General cases under Korean criteria
Reference sources
This is a reference calculation from public sources and your inputs. It may not reflect personal circumstances, recent changes, or an authority’s interpretation. Confirm with an official source or qualified professional before filing, contracting, clinical care, contraception, or another important decision.
What is it
The building coverage ratio and FAR calculator computes how much of a Korean lot a building footprint covers (coverage ratio) and how much above-ground floor area it stacks relative to the lot (floor area ratio), then compares both with the zoning caps in Articles 84 and 85 of the National Land Planning Act Enforcement Decree. If you enter the caps, it also shows the maximum buildable footprint and floor area for the lot. For expats or foreign investors checking a Korean lot, note that the floor area used for FAR excludes basements and attached above-ground parking, so it differs from the gross floor area in the building register. Actual permitted ratios are set by city or district ordinances within the decree caps and can be reduced further by district-unit plans, so always check the land use plan certificate (토지이용계획확인원) and the local ordinance before any permit decision.
How to use
- 1Enter land area, building footprint area, and FAR-counted total floor area in square meters.
- 2Enter the zoning coverage and FAR caps in percent if you know them, or 0 to skip the check.
- 3Press calculate to see the ratios, headroom against the caps, and maximum buildable areas.
Reference
| Zoning district | Coverage cap | FAR cap |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 exclusive residential | 50% | 100% |
| Class 2 exclusive residential | 50% | 150% |
| Class 1 general residential | 60% | 200% |
| Class 2 general residential | 60% | 250% |
| Class 3 general residential | 50% | 300% |
| Semi-residential | 70% | 500% |
| Central commercial | 90% | 1,500% |
| General commercial | 80% | 1,300% |
| Neighborhood commercial | 70% | 900% |
| Semi-industrial | 70% | 400% |
| Natural green | 20% | 100% |
| Planned management | 40% | 100% |
Sources & standards
- National Land Planning and Utilization Act (Articles 77, 78) - Korea Law Information Center
- National Land Planning Act Enforcement Decree (Articles 84, 85 zoning caps) - Korea Law Information Center
- Building Act Enforcement Decree (Article 119 area calculation) - Korea Law Information Center
FAQ
What is the difference between coverage ratio and floor area ratio?
Coverage ratio is the building footprint divided by the lot area, controlling how much of the land a building may cover. Floor area ratio is the above-ground total floor area divided by the lot area, controlling how much floor space can be stacked.
Why do the caps in the table differ from my district?
The table shows the national Enforcement Decree caps (Articles 84 and 85). Actual limits are set lower by city or district ordinances and district-unit plans, so check the land use plan certificate and local ordinance.
Are basements counted in the floor area ratio?
No. Basement floor area and attached above-ground parking are excluded from the FAR-counted floor area, so it can be smaller than the gross floor area in the building register.
Is my input sent to a server?
No. All calculations run in your browser and no input is sent to a server.