Mortgage & real estate

Commercial Lease Calculator

Enter the rent per square foot and the leased area to find the annual base rent.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • Updated for 2026

Rate & area

$

Enter the rate and area to see the annual base rent.

Worked example

With these example inputs:

  • Rent per square foot$25
  • Area (square feet)2000

Annual base rent: $50,000

  • Rent per square foot$25
  • Area (square feet)2,000

Add this calculator to your site

Free to embed. Copy the snippet below, it drops the live calculator straight into any page.

What a commercial lease calculator shows

A commercial lease is often priced by the square foot. This tool turns that rate into a yearly figure. You enter the rent per square foot. You also enter the leased area. The tool multiplies them to give the annual base rent. That is the headline cost before extras.

Why base rent is only the start

Base rent is the core charge for the space. Many leases add more on top. You may owe taxes, insurance and upkeep. These extras often travel under the name triple net. So the base figure sets your floor, not your final bill.

How to use this calculator

Enter two values. First put in the rent per square foot in your currency. Then enter the area in square feet. The tool multiplies one by the other right away. You read the annual base rent at the top.

How it is calculated

The math is direct. Annual base rent = rent per square foot × area. You scale the rate by the size of the space. The result is a yearly amount. There is no compounding or discount here. It is plain multiplication.

A worked example

Say the rate is twenty five per square foot. The unit measures two thousand square feet. Multiply twenty five by two thousand. The answer is fifty thousand per year. Divide by twelve for a rough monthly figure.

Rent per square foot explained

This rate lets you compare spaces of different sizes. A small suite and a large floor become easy to weigh. Always check whether the quote is yearly or monthly. A monthly rate changes the math a lot. Read the listing with care.

Gross versus net leases

A gross lease folds most costs into one rent. A net lease bills extras on top. The same base rate can mean very different totals. Ask which structure applies before you sign. The label changes your true cost.

Common mistakes to avoid

One error is mixing yearly and monthly rates. Another is ignoring the extra charges in a net lease. People also forget free months or step ups. Each one shifts the real cost. Confirm the terms and your figure stays sound.

The limits of this tool

This calculator finds the base rent only. It does not add taxes, insurance or upkeep. It cannot model free rent or yearly increases. It also skips fit out costs. Treat the result as the starting line.

Planning around the annual rent

Use the yearly figure to test your budget. Compare it against your expected sales or use. A space that strains cash flow is a risk. The annual base rent is one piece of that view. Weigh it beside every other cost.

A final tip

Ask for the full cost, not just the base rate. Request a sample of the yearly extras in writing. Run a few sizes to see how the rent scales. A clear picture now guards against a tight lease later.

Frequently asked questions

How is commercial rent calculated?

Commercial leases are usually quoted per square foot per year. Multiply the rate by the area: $25 a square foot on 2,000 square feet is $50,000 a year.

What else can affect the cost?

Many leases add charges for taxes, insurance and maintenance on top of base rent. Always check whether a quote is base rent only or a fuller, all-in figure.