In the FAR formula, which component constitutes the numerator?

• A. Lot area
• B. Number of stories times floor area per story
• C. Total nonresidential floor area
• D. Building height

Answer: (B)

FAR expresses development density by comparing the building’s total floor area to the site area, so the part on top of the fraction—the numerator—is the building’s total floor area. If the floor plate is consistent across floors, you can find this total by multiplying the number of stories by the floor area per story. For example, 5 stories each with 2,000 sq ft gives a numerator of 10,000 sq ft. The lot area is the denominator (the site area). Building height doesn’t equal floor area, and using nonresidential floor area would only apply if you’re intentionally focusing on that subset, not the total floor area used in the standard FAR formula.