What is a tent footprint?

A tent footprint is the total ground area your tent occupies, including the inner tent, vestibules, and guy line spread. Knowing your footprint helps you choose suitable pitches and ensures your tent fits in the available space, especially on small mountain pitches or organised campsites with defined plots.

Should a groundsheet be bigger or smaller than the tent?

A groundsheet (footprint) should be slightly smaller than the tent floor — about 2-5cm shorter on each edge. If the groundsheet extends beyond the tent, rain will collect on it and pool underneath your tent. Fold any excess under rather than leaving it exposed.

How much space do guy lines add?

Guy lines typically extend 0.8-1.5m from the tent on each side, adding 1.6-3m to both the length and width of your total pitch area. In strong winds, you may need even longer guy lines. Always account for this when checking if a pitch is big enough.

How much tent space per person?

Manufacturers rate tent capacity optimistically. A 2-person tent typically provides about 1.2-1.4m² per person for sleeping. For comfortable camping with gear storage inside, allow at least 1.5m² per person. Solo hikers in a 1-person tent have about 1.5-2m² of floor space.

CampCalcs

Tent Footprint Calculator

Calculate the ground area and footprint dimensions for your tent setup.

Tent Length

Tent Width

Number of Vestibules

Vestibule Depth

Guy Line Spread

Tent Shape

How We Calculate This

Area Calculation

Inner area = Length x Width x Shape factor

Shape factors: Rectangular (1.0), Tapered (0.85), Hexagonal (0.9)

Total Footprint

Total = (Length + Vestibules + 2 x Guy lines) x (Width + 2 x Guy lines)

Groundsheet should be 5cm smaller than tent floor on each edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Tarp Size Calculator

Determine the right tarp size for your shelter configuration and number of occupants.

Hammock Hang Calculator

Calculate the ideal hang angle, ridge line length and tree distance for your hammock.

Ground Pad R-Value Calculator

Calculate combined R-value when stacking sleeping pads for cold weather camping.

Sleeping Pad Calculator

Find the right sleeping pad size and type based on your height, width and conditions.

Bivvy Bag Calculator

Calculate the right bivvy bag size and temperature boost for your sleeping system.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify conditions and use proper safety equipment outdoors.