Building Coverage Ratio Calculator
Building coverage ratio is the percentage of building footprint area to land area. Check legal limits for construction planning.
Coverage Ratio Limits by Zoning
| Zoning District | Coverage Limit |
|---|---|
| Type 1 Residential | 50% |
| Type 2 Residential | 50% |
| General Residential 1,2 | 60% |
| Type 3 Residential | 50% |
| Quasi-Residential | 70% |
| General Commercial | 80% |
| General Industrial | 70% |
| Natural Green Zone | 20% |
Complete Building Coverage Ratio Guide (2025)
01
Definition and Importance of Building Coverage Ratio
Building Coverage Ratio is the percentage of building footprint area (1st floor area) to land area. The formula is Coverage Ratio (%) = (Building Area ÷ Land Area) × 100. For example, if you build a structure with a 1st floor area of 120㎡ on land of 200㎡, the coverage ratio is (120 ÷ 200) × 100 = 60%.
02
Coverage Ratio Limits by Zoning District
Korea's building coverage ratio limits vary by zoning district. Type 1 Residential allows up to 50%, Type 2 Residential up to 50%, General Residential Types 1 and 2 up to 60%, Quasi-Residential up to 70%, and General Commercial up to 80%.
03
Difference Between Coverage Ratio and Floor Area Ratio
Coverage ratio is the percentage of 1st floor footprint, while Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is the percentage of total floor area across all floors. For land of 200㎡ with a building of 100㎡ on 1st floor and 100㎡ on 2nd floor, coverage ratio is 50% and FAR is 100%.
04
Practical Calculation Examples
Example 1: For land of 150㎡ in General Residential Zone (60% limit), maximum building footprint is 150 × 0.6 = 90㎡. Example 2: For 300㎡ land in Commercial Zone (70% limit), maximum footprint is 300 × 0.7 = 210㎡.
05
Coverage Ratio Exemptions and Special Cases
In some cases, coverage ratios can be relaxed. Urban renewal projects may increase ratios up to 1.5 times the existing ratio. Transit-oriented development areas can increase ratios up to 120% of standard limits.