Freihöhe

Freihöhe is a term used in architecture and real estate to describe the unobstructed vertical space within a room. It means the free height from the finished floor up to the lowest overhead obstacle, such as the underside of a ceiling element, beam, or other architectural features. The concept is also referred to as the clear height or lichten Höhe in some contexts and is important for assessing usable space.

In practice, Freihöhe matters most in rooms with irregular ceiling geometry, such as attic spaces, studios with exposed structures, or rooms with suspended components. It indicates how much headroom remains for standing and movement, and it can influence how a space is classified (habitable living space, storage, or ancillary area) in planning, permitting, and marketing.

Measurement of Freihöhe is done by taking vertical measurements from the floor to the underside of the highest obstruction directly above the measurement point. For rooms with sloped ceilings or varying clearances, multiple measurement points are typically used, and the minimum value is taken as the Freihöhe for that space.

Relation to related terms: Freihöhe is distinct from Raumhöhe (the general room height, typically measured to the ceiling at standard points). Freihöhe focuses on the lowest clear vertical clearance, which can be more limiting than the average room height.

Legal and practical context: Local building codes and housing regulations define minimum heights for habitable spaces, and Freihöhe is frequently considered in planning documents and real estate descriptions. Where insufficient, remedies may include redesign, restructuring, or conversion of space to improve usable headroom.