How to Measure Your Driveway or Patio in Square Metres
To measure a driveway, split it into simple rectangles, multiply length by width for each and add the results. A rough figure is enough to start: multiply it by our guide rate of €15/m² for an estimate before IVA, and we check the area against your photos before confirming.
Send us a photo and the m²Why does the m² figure matter so much?
Because our price is per square metre, the area is the biggest single number in the quote. An error of ten square metres moves the guide figure by €150 before IVA.
That said, nobody expects you to be a surveyor. We cross-check the area with your photos, and the quote calculator is designed for an honest estimate, not a precise survey.
How do I measure a simple rectangular driveway?
Measure the length along one side and the width across, in metres, then multiply. A driveway 12 metres long and 4 metres wide is 48 m².
If the width varies, measure it at both ends and in the middle and use the average. For a driveway 4.2 m wide at the gate and 3.8 m at the house, use 4 m.
| Length | Width | Area | Guide price before IVA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 m | 3 m | 24 m² | €360 |
| 12 m | 4 m | 48 m² | €720 |
| 20 m | 3.5 m | 70 m² | €1,050 |
How do I measure an L-shaped or irregular area?
Split it into rectangles that do not overlap, measure each one and add them up. Most villa driveways break down into two or three pieces: the run from the gate, the turning area and the apron in front of the garage.
- Sketch the area roughly on paper, as seen from above.
- Draw lines to divide it into rectangles.
- Measure the length and width of each rectangle.
- Multiply each pair and add the results together.
Example: a 15 × 3.5 m driveway (52.5 m²) leading to a 6 × 5 m parking area (30 m²) gives 82.5 m² in total, or about €1,237.50 before IVA at the guide rate.
What about curves, circles and odd corners?
Approximate them. For a gently curved driveway, measure the length along the centre line and multiply by the average width; the result is close enough for a first estimate.
For a round turning area, multiply the radius by itself and then by 3.14. A circle 6 m across has a radius of 3 m, giving about 28 m². Small triangular corners can be treated as half a rectangle.
Can I measure from a satellite map instead?
Yes, and for owners who are abroad it is often the easiest way. Most online map services offer a measuring tool that gives distances or areas from the aerial view.
Two cautions: trees, pergolas and roof overhangs hide parts of the surface, and the images may be out of date. Use the map figure as a starting point, and let the photos from the site confirm it.
A carport under a pergola, like the one in the Marbella reference job, is a good example: from above, the roof hides the floor, so a photo from ground level matters.
What should I leave out of the measurement?
Anything that will not be painted. That includes planted beds, fixed features like a barbecue base or a fountain, drains and gratings of any size, and areas you want to keep as they are.
- Planted beds and tree pits within the paved area.
- Fixed structures that stay in place.
- Sections of a different material you do not want coated.
- Areas you plan to leave for a later phase.
Tell us what you excluded so we can match the measurement to the photos. If in doubt, include it and mention it; it is easier for us to subtract than to guess.
Do steps and kerbs count?
Steps have treads and risers, and both are coated if you want them painted. Measure the width of the steps and add the depth of each tread plus the height of each riser to get the area.
Kerbs and low edges are usually small in area but take time because they are brush work. We account for them as part of the layout when we read the photos, as explained in how a quote is worked out.
Should I measure each area separately?
Yes, if the property has more than one surface. Listing the driveway, the carport, the patio and the pool surround separately lets us price each one and lets you decide which to do now and which later.
It also makes the quote easier to check. When each area has its own line with its own m², you can see at a glance whether anything has been missed or counted twice.
What do I do with the figure once I have it?
Enter it in the calculator to see the guide price, then send it with your photos. For plain concrete, the driveway painting cost page explains the rate; for stamped surfaces, see the imprinted concrete cost page.
For a quick reality check on what different sizes cost, our article on driveway painting costs in 2026 runs through typical villa examples.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the square metres of my driveway?
Measure the length and width in metres and multiply them. For irregular shapes, divide the area into rectangles, calculate each one and add them up. A driveway 12 m long and 4 m wide is 48 m², which at the guide rate of €15/m² is €720 before IVA.
Does my measurement need to be exact?
No. A reasonable estimate is enough to request a quote. We check the area against your photos and, for larger or complex sites, against a plan if one is available. The confirmed quote lists the m² for each area so you can see what was used.
How do I measure a curved driveway?
Measure the length along the centre of the curve and multiply by the average width. For a round turning circle, multiply the radius by itself and by 3.14. These approximations are close enough for a first estimate, which we then check against photos.
Can I measure using an online map?
Yes. Many online map services include an area or distance measuring tool. Be aware that trees, pergolas and roof overhangs can hide parts of the surface and that aerial images may be out of date. Use it as a starting point and send photos from the ground.
Should I include the steps?
If you want them painted, yes. Measure the width and add the depth of each tread and the height of each riser. Steps take more brush work than a flat area, which we consider when reading the photos, but they are measured the same way.
Do I include planted beds or drains?
No. Leave out anything that will not be painted: beds, tree pits, fixed structures and areas of a different material you want to keep. Tell us what you excluded so the photos and the measurement match. If you are unsure about a particular area, include it in a photo and ask.
What if I am not in Spain to measure?
Ask a neighbour, key-holder or property manager to take a few measurements and photos, or use an online map for a first figure. Photos with a known object for scale, such as a car or a door, also help us estimate the area.
How much does a 50 m² driveway cost?
Fifty square metres multiplied by the €15 guide rate gives €750 before tax. Add 21% IVA and the total is €907.50; at the reduced 10% rate, where it applies, it is €825. That assumes a sound surface with fair access, and we confirm the figure once we have your photos.
What if your measurement differs from mine?
We explain the difference in the quote, for example a side path that was not mentioned or an area we think you meant to exclude. You can then confirm or correct it before accepting. The final quote always lists each area separately.
How do communities measure a large garage?
The building plan is the most reliable source, so ask the administrator for it. If there is no plan, measure the main rectangles and send photos of the whole area. We confirm the figure before the quote is finalised and presented to the owners.