How to Use the Commercial Lease Calculator

A Commercial Lease Calculator is an online tool that helps tenants and property managers estimate the monthly and total cost of leasing commercial space based on square footage, rate per square foot, lease term, and additional charges like CAM (Common Area Maintenance).

Why Use This Calculator?

Whether you're opening a retail store, renting office space, or negotiating lease terms, understanding your true monthly and total lease costs is crucial. This calculator saves time, helps plan budgets, and ensures transparency before signing a commercial lease agreement.

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Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Enter Square Feet Leased

Type in the number of square feet you'll be leasing.
Example: 1,500

Step 2: Enter the Monthly Rate per Square Foot

This is the amount charged monthly for each square foot of leased space.
Example: $2.50

Step 3: Enter the Lease Term (in Months)

Specify how long the lease lasts in months.
Example: 36

Step 4: Add CAM Charges

CAM refers to shared operating expenses like cleaning, security, maintenance, etc. Enter the monthly CAM charge.
Example: $300

Step 5: Click “Calculate Lease Cost.”

You'll instantly see:

• Total Monthly Lease = (Square Feet × Rate) + CAM
• Total Lease Cost (Term) = Total Monthly × Number of Months

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Example Calculation

• Square Feet: 1,500
• Rate: $2.50/sq ft
• Term: 36 months
• CAM: $300/month

Monthly Lease Cost = (1500 × 2.5) + 300 = $4,050
Total Lease Over Term = $4,050 × 36 = $145,800

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FAQ: Commercial Lease Calculator

Q1: What are CAM charges?
A: CAM stands for Common Area Maintenance. These are shared costs paid by tenants for maintaining shared spaces like lobbies, parking lots, hallways, etc.

Q2: Is this calculator accurate for NNN (Triple Net) leases?
A: Yes, if you add taxes, insurance, and CAM into the “CAM Charges” input, the result will reflect a NNN-style lease.

Q3: Can I use this calculator for annual rates instead of monthly?
A: This version is monthly-based. For annual leases, convert the annual rate to monthly by dividing by 12.

Q4: What if my lease has a rent escalation?
A: This calculator assumes a flat monthly rate. For escalating leases, you would need a more advanced version with annual rate increases.