m2 to ft2

Average Apartment Size by City

Updated 20 July 2026 · RentCafe (US, 2024) + Numbeo + Knight Frank + city housing authority data

Quick answer

1-bed: ~50 m² = 540 ft²

A one-bedroom apartment averages roughly 50 m² (540 ft²) worldwide, but the range is wide: from about 23 m² (250 ft²) in Hong Kong to 70 m² (750 ft²) in Sydney and US suburbs. European city one-beds cluster around 40 to 55 m² (430 to 590 ft²); US one-beds run 50 to 70 m² (540 to 750 ft²). Two-bedroom flats are typically 50 percent larger.

Average Apartment Size by Bedroom Count

Mean of the 12 major cities below. Two-bed flats run roughly 45 percent larger than one-beds.

ApartmentAverage m²Average ft²
Studio~30~320
1-bedroom48517
2-bedroom70753
3-bedroom~95~1,020

One-bedroom and two-bedroom figures are the mean of the 12 cities in the table below. Studio and three-bedroom rows are typical ranges, since most cities measure those less consistently. Use the city lookup for a specific market.

Average Apartment Size in the United States

The average US apartment is 908 ft² (84 m²) as of 2024, and grew slightly that year, reversing roughly a decade of shrinking floor plans.

US apartmentAverage ft²Average m²
Studio45742
1-bedroom73568
2-bedroom1,097102
All units (average)90884

New York City apartments are mid-sized by US standards, not the smallest as often assumed. By borough the averages are Manhattan 738 ft² (69 m²), Brooklyn 708 ft² (66 m²), and Queens 702 ft² (65 m²). A typical NYC one-bedroom runs roughly 55 to 65 m² (590 to 700 ft²), though older Manhattan stock starts near 37 m² (400 ft²).

Source: RentCafe, National Average Apartment Size (2024 completed-unit data, Yardi Matrix, published 2025).

City × bedroom lookup

How big is an apartment in your city?

12 major cities, four bedroom sizes, with the legal minimum + the city's own measurement standard called out. Anchored on Numbeo + Knight Frank + city housing-authority data.

Average 1-bed in Paris
32 m²≈ 344 ft²
Rank: #4 of 12 · between Mumbai (28 m²) and London (46 m²)
Avg 1-bed rent (USD)
$1,800/mo
Q2 2026 midpoint, central districts
Legal minimum
9 m² minimum habitable, 14 m² for self-contained dwelling (Loi Décence)

Measurement note: Loi Carrez surface area is the legal standard for sales. Excludes ceiling heights under 1.8 m and surfaces under 8 m².

Context: Haussmann apartments (pre-1914) are generous by exception. Most modern Paris flats compressed by intramuros land prices.

1-bed size — global comparison
Hong Kong 23Tokyo 25Mumbai 28Paris 32London 46San Francisco 50Sydney 50Berlin 52New York 55Toronto 55Barcelona 55Dubai 65
Smallest: Hong Kong 23 m² · Largest: Dubai 65 m² (2.8× the size)
Sources ↓

If you are looking at property listings in another country and trying to understand if 65 m² is generous or cramped, the answer depends entirely on where you are. The table below shows average one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment sizes in 12 major cities, in both square metres and square feet. Figures are approximate medians for centrally-located private rental stock.

City1-bed m²1-bed ft²2-bed m²2-bed ft²

Hong Kong

China SAR

2324838409

Tokyo

Japan

2526940431

Mumbai

India

2830148517

Paris

France

3234455592

London

UK

4649568732

Berlin

Germany

5256072775

New York

USA

5559280861

Barcelona

Spain

5559280861

Dubai

UAE

657001001,076

Sydney

Australia

70753951,023

Toronto

Canada

5559275807

US Average

USA

70753931,001

City Notes

Hong Kong

China SAR

23-38 m²

248-409 ft²

Among the smallest in the world. Many units under 20 m2. Space efficiency is extreme in new builds.

Tokyo

Japan

25-40 m²

269-431 ft²

1K and 1DK layouts are common. Tsubo measurement is traditional (1 tsubo = 3.31 m2). New builds often 35-45 m2 for a 1-bedroom.

Mumbai

India

28-48 m²

301-517 ft²

Central Mumbai flats command global-city prices despite compact sizes. Carpet area vs built-up area terminology is important to check.

Paris

France

32-55 m²

344-592 ft²

Loi Carrez area is the legal standard. 55 m2 in Paris 11th is a comfortable couple's flat. Haussmann apartments are generous by exception.

London

UK

46-68 m²

495-732 ft²

New-builds are shrinking. Private rental 1-beds average 46 m2 across Greater London; central London is often 38-42 m2.

Berlin

Germany

52-72 m²

560-775 ft²

Wohnflache is the standard measure. Berlin's rent regulations have moderated size compression. Still generous by big-city standards.

New York

USA

55-80 m²

592-861 ft²

Manhattan 1-beds from 37 m2 in older stock. Brooklyn and Queens offer more space. NYC sets no blanket minimum dwelling size; one habitable room must be at least 150 sq ft (13.9 m2), with the 400 sq ft (37 m2) floor applying only to the Quality Housing Program.

Barcelona

Spain

55-80 m²

592-861 ft²

Check superficie util vs construida. Eixample apartments often have good room dimensions within 70-90 m2 total.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average one-bedroom apartment size?
A one-bedroom apartment averages roughly 50 m2 (540 ft2) globally, though sizes range from about 23 m2 (250 ft2) in Hong Kong to 70 m2 (750 ft2) in Sydney and US suburbs. European city one-beds typically run 40-55 m2 (430-590 ft2); US one-beds run 50-70 m2 (540-750 ft2).
What is the average two-bedroom apartment size in square meters?
A two-bedroom apartment averages about 70 m2 (753 ft2) across major world cities, roughly 45 percent larger than a one-bedroom. The range is wide: from about 38 m2 (409 ft2) in Hong Kong and Tokyo to 95-100 m2 (1,020-1,080 ft2) in Sydney and Dubai. European city two-beds typically run 55-80 m2 (590-860 ft2).
What is the average apartment size in the world?
Global averages vary enormously. Hong Kong averages under 25 m2 for a one-bedroom; Australian cities average 70-80 m2. The typical urban one-bedroom globally falls between 35-65 m2, with European cities in the 40-55 m2 range and US cities in the 50-70 m2 range.
What is the average apartment size in the US?
The average US apartment is 908 sq ft (84 m2) as of 2024, per RentCafe's analysis of Yardi Matrix data. By type, studios average 457 sq ft (42 m2), one-bedrooms 735 sq ft (68 m2), and two-bedrooms 1,097 sq ft (102 m2). US apartments grew slightly in 2024, reversing roughly a decade of shrinking floor plans.
What is the average apartment size in New York City?
By borough, Manhattan apartments average 738 sq ft (69 m2), Brooklyn 708 sq ft (66 m2), and Queens 702 sq ft (65 m2), per RentCafe 2024 data. A typical NYC one-bedroom is roughly 55 to 65 m2 (590 to 700 sq ft); older Manhattan stock can be smaller, from about 37 m2 (400 sq ft).
Is 50 square meters big enough for one person?
Yes, 50 m2 (538 ft2) is a comfortable one-bedroom flat for a single person by European standards. In cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Melbourne, this is standard size for a one-bedroom flat.
Why are Tokyo apartments so small?
Tokyo apartments are small due to extremely high land values, efficient public transport, cultural norms around compact living, and high demand from a large population in a geographically constrained area. Japanese interior design maximises storage efficiency.
How do apartment sizes differ between the US and Europe?
US apartments average significantly larger than European equivalents. A US one-bedroom averages 55-70 m2 (590-753 ft2). A European one-bedroom in a major city is typically 35-55 m2 (377-592 ft2).

Convert an Apartment Size

65 m² is approximately a comfortable one-bedroom flat.

Average Apartment Size in London

London 1-bed 46 m2, studio 30 m2, plus the London Plan minimums.

Average Apartment Size in Berlin

Berlin household 74.8 m2, rental flats 68 m2, and how Zimmer counting works.

Average Apartment Size in NYC

Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens averages in sq ft and m2.

Average Apartment Size in Paris

Paris median 46 m2 vs Ile-de-France, by apartment type.

Average Apartment Size in Tokyo

Single-person 1K 25 m2 vs the 64 m2 all-dwelling average, by layout.

Average Apartment Size in Hong Kong

Median 40 m2, ~16 m2 per person, nano flats, and the 280 sq ft minimum.

UK Home Sizes

Average UK flat and house m2 by region and era.

Office Space Benchmarks

How much space per person for offices and retail.

condovsapartment.com

Understanding the difference between condos and apartments.

Updated 2 May 2026