General standard (detached homes)
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Urban standard (apartments)
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Minimum standard
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* A guide based on the national standards. Actual needs vary with lifestyle, layout and storage planning.
What are these standards?
Japan's Housing Master Plan (MLIT) defines guideline areas per household size. The general standard for suburban detached living is 25㎡ × household + 25㎡; the urban standard for city apartments is 20㎡ × household + 15㎡; the minimum standard for a healthy, cultured life is 10㎡ × household + 10㎡ (singles use separate values). For household size, children under 3 count as 0.25, ages 3–5 as 0.5 and 6–9 as 0.75 of a person.
How to use
What you'll learn: See how many tsubo / m² your household needs, based on Japan's national housing standards.
- Enter your household (number of adults and children).
- Choose and adjust the options shown.
- Read off the required tsubo / m² (guideline and minimum levels).
FAQ
Is a smaller home than the result a problem?
No — the guideline measures “comfortable”, not “required”. With good storage and layout planning, smaller homes live very well.
Does the area include corridors and storage?
Yes — it is total private floor area (exclusive area for apartments), excluding voids and balconies.