Flooring Calculator
Find how many square feet and boxes of laminate, vinyl plank, hardwood or tile to buy.
How to use this flooring calculator
Measure the room at its longest and widest points in feet. Pick the layout, which sets how much extra to allow for cuts, and enter the square feet per box printed on the flooring you're considering. Add the price per square foot if you'd like a cost estimate. Leave it at 0 to skip it.
For an L-shaped room, split it into two rectangles, calculate each, and add them up. Include closets and the space under appliances if the flooring will run there.
How much extra flooring should I buy?
You lose material to cuts at walls, doorways and corners, and to boards with defects. The usual allowances are:
| Layout | Extra |
|---|---|
| Simple rectangular room | 5–10% |
| Rooms with many corners or closets | 10–15% |
| Diagonal installation | 15% |
| Herringbone or chevron patterns | 15–20% |
Keep any unopened boxes. A matching box from the same production lot makes future repairs much easier, and many stores accept returns of unopened boxes.
The math behind it
Area = length × width. Multiply by 1 + waste% to get the amount to buy, then divide by the square feet per box and round up.
Example: a 15 × 12 ft room is 180 sq ft. With 10% extra you need 198 sq ft, which is 10 boxes at 20 sq ft each.
Before installing
- Let laminate, vinyl and hardwood acclimate in the room for 48 hours (check the maker's instructions).
- Leave the expansion gap at the walls that the manufacturer specifies. Baseboards will cover it.
- Budget for underlayment, transition strips and quarter-round. They're easy to forget.
Often used together
Quick answers
How much extra flooring should I buy?
Usually 10% for a straight layout, 15% for diagonal layouts or rooms with lots of corners, and up to 20% for herringbone.
How many square feet are in a box of flooring?
It varies by product, commonly between about 15 and 30 square feet. Always check the box label and enter that number in the calculator.
Do I need flooring under kitchen cabinets?
Floating floors such as laminate and vinyl plank usually stop at the cabinets. Nail-down hardwood sometimes runs underneath. Follow your flooring maker's instructions.