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Occupancy Load Calculator

Work out occupancy load instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Occupancy Load Calculator

Occupant load is floor area divided by the area allowed per person for the use: about 1.4 square metres for assembly standing space, 9.3 for business use and 4.6 for education. The load then drives the number of exits, with two required above 50 occupants and three above 500, and the total exit width at roughly 5 mm per person.

Formulas

Occupant load

People = ceil(floor area / area per occupant)

Exit provision

Exits: 1 up to 50, 2 above 50, 3 above 500; width = occupants x 5 mm

Worked example

With the default values below, Occupancy Load Calculator returns Occupant load of 286. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Floor areaminimum 0.1 m²
400 m²
Area per occupantminimum 0.1 m²/person
1.4 m²/person

Results

Occupant load
286 people
Exits required
2
Total exit width required
1,430 mm
Occupant density
0.714 people/m²

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Occupant load
  3. 3Exit provision
  4. 4Occupant load= 286 people
  5. 5Exits required= 2
  6. 6Total exit width required= 1,430 mm
  7. 7Occupant density= 0.714 people/m²

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Preliminary estimate only. Occupant load factors, exit counts and widths must be taken from the building or fire code adopted locally.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Preliminary estimate only. Occupant load factors, exit counts and widths must be taken from the building or fire code adopted locally.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Occupancy Load figure worked out?

People = ceil(floor area / area per occupant). Occupant load is floor area divided by the area allowed per person for the use: about 1.4 square metres for assembly standing space, 9.3 for business use and 4.6 for education.

Which area is used, gross or net?

It depends on the occupancy. Assembly and education use net floor area of the occupied space, while business and storage uses are calculated on gross area including circulation.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 2 inputs: Floor area, Area per occupant. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.

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