What is the area between the ground surface and floor joists, which is not considered a basement?

The area between the ground surface and floor joists that is not classified as a basement is known as a crawl space. A crawl space typically has limited height, often not allowing a person to stand fully upright, and serves several functions, such as providing access to plumbing and electrical systems or allowing for ventilation under the structure.

This differentiates it from a basement, which is generally a more fully developed and usable space that extends below ground level and is often designed to be habitable. In contrast, an attic is the space directly beneath the roof and above the top floor, while a cellar usually refers to a space that is partially or fully underground, similar to a basement but often used for storage. The term subfloor refers to the structural layer that sits below the finished floor and is not directly related to these types of spaces.