Not All Square Footage is Equal—Usable vs. Rentable Explained

One of the biggest misconceptions in commercial leasing is assuming that the space

you're paying for is the space you're using. But when you’re signing a lease, you’re

often paying for more than just your suite—you’re paying a share of lobbies, hallways,

restrooms, and even elevator shafts.

A tech company I worked with leased what they thought was 5,000 square feet of office.

What they got? Closer to 4,200 usable square feet. The rest was common area load.

That difference cost them tens of thousands over the term.

Key Terms to Understand:

Usable Square Footage (USF): The space within your walls.

Rentable Square Footage (RSF): USF plus your share of common areas.

Load Factor: The percentage added to USF to reach RSF.

At CIG, we break this down upfront. No surprises. We want tenants to know what

they’re really getting—and paying for.

Pro Tip: Always ask for both the usable and rentable figures before you tour, and bring a

tape measure.