---
title: "Net absorption — Class A Atlas glossary"
description: "The change in occupied office space over a period — positive or negative."
canonical: https://classa.info/glossary/net-absorption
pageType: glossary
lastUpdated: 2026-04-01T00:00:00.000Z
license: "CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Class A Atlas (https://classa.info)."
---

> The change in occupied office space over a period — positive or negative.

## TL;DR

- The change in occupied office space over a period — positive or negative.
- Net absorption equals leased space less vacated space less newly delivered vacant space.

# Net absorption

*Market metric · Global*

## Short definition

The change in occupied office space over a period — positive or negative.

## Full definition

[Net absorption](/glossary/absorption) equals leased space less vacated space less newly delivered vacant space. The cleanest measure of underlying tenant demand. Positive net absorption signals a tightening market; negative signals a softening market.

## Why this matters for Class A leasing

Net absorption is part of the market metric vocabulary that institutional [Class A](/glossary/class-a) occupiers, landlords, and advisers use across Global markets. Understanding it correctly affects how you read lease documents, model occupancy economics, and benchmark deal terms across cities. Class A Atlas tracks regional variation alongside the global standard so [cross-border](/topics/cross-border-expansion) occupiers can translate quickly.

## See also

- [Vacancy rate](/glossary/vacancy-rate)

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Citation: Source: Class A Atlas (https://classa.info/glossary/net-absorption), updated 2026-04-01T00:00:00.000Z.