Open Space Per Capita Calculator

Work out open space per capita instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Open Space Per Capita Calculator

Open space provision is judged per head of population served. Commonly cited standards range from nine square metres per person, the figure often attributed to World Health Organisation guidance, to fifteen or more in planning codes. Converting hectares to square metres and dividing by population makes the comparison direct.

Formulas

Per capita provision

m² per person = open space in hectares x 10,000 / population

Requirement

Required hectares = population x standard / 10,000

Worked example

With the default values below, Open Space Per Capita Calculator returns Open space per person of 2.667. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Open space providedminimum 0 ha: 12 ha
Population servedminimum 1: 45,000
Standard per capitaminimum 0.1 m²: 10 m²

Results

Open space per person: 2.667 m²
Open space required: 45.00 ha
Shortfall or surplus: -33.00 ha
Assessment: Below standard — additional open space required

Step by step

1Values used
2Per capita provision
3Requirement
4Open space per person= 2.667 m²
5Open space required= 45.00 ha
6Shortfall or surplus= -33.00 ha
7Assessment= Below standard — additional open space required

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges 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. Open space standards and what qualifies as countable open space are set by local planning regulations.

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

Preliminary estimate only. Open space standards and what qualifies as countable open space are set by local planning regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Open Space Per Capita figure worked out?

m² per person = open space in hectares x 10,000 / population. Open space provision is judged per head of population served.

Does all green land count?

Usually not. Standards generally require publicly accessible, usable recreational space, excluding road verges, steep or waterlogged land and private gardens.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 3 inputs: Open space provided, Population served, Standard per capita. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.