Total Monthly Rent
Rooms
Give each room a number; a bigger number = bigger room = bigger share of rent. Don't know exact sq ft? No problem, just estimate.
Breakdown
How It Works
Enter your total monthly rent, then give each room a relative size number. Bigger number means bigger room, bigger share of rent. No need to measure — just estimate.
Rooms with a private bathroom get a 20% size bonus, since bathroom access adds value. The calculator splits rent proportionally so everyone pays their fair share.
Shared rooms: Toggle "Shared" on any room to split that room's rent between two people — perfect for couples sharing a bedroom.
Income-based splitting: Switch to "By Income" mode to split rent proportional to what each person earns instead of room size. The method comparison table shows how different approaches affect each person's share.
Don't know exact square footage? That's fine. Relative numbers work just as well. If one room feels about twice as big as another, give it twice the number. The math works the same whether you use 5 and 10 or 500 and 1000.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you split rent fairly when rooms are different sizes?
The fairest method is proportional splitting: give each room a size rating, then divide the total rent based on each room's share of the combined size. A room rated 15 out of a total of 35 pays 15/35 (about 43%) of the rent. This calculator does the math instantly — just enter your total rent and rate each room.
Should rooms with private bathrooms pay more rent?
Yes, a private bathroom adds significant value. A common approach is a 15-25% premium on that room's size rating. This calculator applies a 20% bonus when you toggle the bathroom option, so the room's share of rent increases proportionally without manual math.
What is proportional rent splitting?
Proportional rent splitting divides rent based on each room's relative size rather than splitting it equally. If one room is twice the size of another, the person in the larger room pays twice as much. This is fairer than equal splitting when rooms vary in size, natural light, closet space, or bathroom access.
How do I calculate each roommate's share of rent?
Rate each room with a number representing its relative size (exact square footage works, but rough estimates like 8, 10, 15 are fine too). Add up all the numbers, then each room's share is its number divided by the total, multiplied by the monthly rent. This calculator handles the arithmetic and rounds to the penny so the total always matches exactly.
How do couples split rent when sharing a room?
Toggle the Shared option on any room to split that room's rent between two people. The room's total share stays the same, but each person pays half. This is common when a couple shares a bedroom in a shared apartment — they get the room-size-fair price, then divide it between themselves.
Should rent be split by income or room size?
It depends on your household. Room-size splitting means everyone pays for what they get — bigger room, higher rent. Income-based splitting means everyone pays the same percentage of their earnings, so higher earners contribute more regardless of room size. This calculator supports both methods and shows a side-by-side comparison so roommates can decide together which feels fairest.
How do you split rent by square footage?
Measure or estimate each bedroom's square footage, enter those numbers as the room sizes, and the calculator divides rent proportionally. A 200 sq ft room and a 300 sq ft room in a $2,500 apartment would pay $1,000 and $1,500 respectively. You can also factor in private bathrooms with the built-in 20% adjustment.
What is a fair rent calculator?
A fair rent calculator is a tool that divides total rent among roommates based on objective factors like room size or income rather than splitting equally. Equal splits feel unfair when one person gets a master suite and another gets a small bedroom. This calculator uses proportional math to ensure everyone pays for what they actually get.
How do roommates calculate fair rent?
The simplest approach: rate each room on a scale that reflects its size and features, then divide rent proportionally. For example, if three rooms are rated 8, 10, and 12 (total 30), they pay 26.7%, 33.3%, and 40% of rent respectively. Enter your numbers here and the calculator handles the rest, including rounding so the total adds up exactly.