WeekendCalc

Flooring Calculator

Enter your room size and how you will lay the floor. You get the square footage to buy (with waste), the number of boxes, and a cost estimate.

Building in the UK? Use the UK (metric) version of this calculator.

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Your project

ft²

On the box. Planks usually come 15 to 25 ft² per box.

$

Example only. Use your quote.

Results

Example job shown. Change the numbers to match yours.

Boxes to buy
10 boxes
200.0 ft² in total
Flooring needed (with waste)
198.0 ft²
Room area
180.0 ft²

Cost

Estimated material cost
$600.00
  • Waste covers cuts at walls and doorways, bad pieces, and the last-row trimming. Buy an extra box if you may want to repair the floor later.

Before you buy: round up to whole packs, check the size printed on the label, and add a little spare. Your supplier has the final say.

How this calculator works

We add your waste allowance to the room area, then divide by the coverage of one box and round up, since flooring is only sold in whole boxes.

boxes = ⌈area × (1 + waste %) ÷ coverage per box⌉

Worked example: a 15 × 12 ft room is 180 ft². With 10% waste, that is 198 ft². At 20 ft² per box you need 10 boxes (200 ft²).

Tips before you buy

  • Measure each room separately and add them up, so odd shapes, closets and alcoves are not missed. Add closets and the area under any appliances you will not move.
  • Diagonal and herringbone patterns make more cuts and waste, so allow 10 to 15%.
  • Let the planks acclimate in the room for the time the maker states, before installation.
  • Buy an extra box and keep it. Dye lots vary, and a matching board is hard to find when you need to repair the floor in a few years.

Quick answers by size

10 × 10 ft room6 boxes at 20 ft²10 × 12 ft room7 boxes at 20 ft²12 × 12 ft room8 boxes at 20 ft²12 × 14 ft room10 boxes at 20 ft²12 × 16 ft room11 boxes at 20 ft²14 × 14 ft room11 boxes at 20 ft²14 × 16 ft room13 boxes at 20 ft²15 × 20 ft room17 boxes at 20 ft²16 × 20 ft room18 boxes at 20 ft²

Tools & materials for this project

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Luxury vinyl plankLaminate flooringUnderlaymentFlooring installation kitOscillating multi-tool

Frequently asked questions

How much extra flooring should I buy?

5 to 10% for most rooms, and 15% for diagonal or herringbone layouts. Rooms with lots of corners or odd shapes need the high end.

How do I calculate square feet for flooring?

Multiply length by width for each room, then add the rooms together. For L-shaped rooms, split them into rectangles.

How many boxes of laminate do I need?

Divide the total area (with waste) by the coverage printed on the box, then round up.

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Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.