Flooring for a 9 × 9 ft room (81 ft²)
Box counts depend on how much each box holds, which is printed on the box (20 to 25 ft² is common for laminate and vinyl plank).
| Layout and waste | Flooring to buy | Boxes at 20 ft² | Boxes at 24 ft² | Boxes at 30 ft² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% (Straight, simple room) | 85.1 ft² | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 7% (Typical room) | 86.7 ft² | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 10% (Diagonal or many cuts) | 89.1 ft² | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 15% (Herringbone or patterns) | 93.2 ft² | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Before you buy
Measure into doorways and closets, and buy one extra box for future repairs, since dye lots vary. Let the flooring acclimate in the room for as long as the maker says. See the waste factors guide.
Laying it out: rows and the last row
Planks usually run along the long wall (9 ft here), so they stack up across the 9 ft side, which is 108 inches. A last row that is only a sliver looks bad and can lift, so check it before you start. With 48 inch planks you need about 3 planks per row.
| Plank width | Rows across | Width of the last row | Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 in plank | 22 | 3.0 in | Fine |
| 7 in plank | 16 | 3.0 in | Fine |
| 9 in plank | 12 | 0.0 in | No sliver |
If the last row comes out under 2 inches, cut the first row narrower so that the first and last rows are about the same. Leave the expansion gap the maker specifies (usually about 1/4 to 1/2 inch) around the walls.
A 9 × 9 room: one square foot too big for four boxes
A 9 × 9 ft room has 81 sq ft of floor, and 89.1 sq ft once a tenth is added for cuts. That is 5 boxes of 20 sq ft or 4 boxes of 24 sq ft.
It is tempting to buy one box fewer, but 4 boxes of 20 sq ft hold 80 sq ft, which is less than the bare floor before a single cut. In a square room the planks can run either way, so point them at the main window or along the line you see from the door. With only 36 ft of wall the baseboard or quarter round is a short job, and it hides the expansion gap.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Flooring Calculator: edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How many boxes of flooring for a 9x9 room?
5 boxes at 20 ft² per box, including 10% waste (89.1 ft² needed for 81 ft² of floor). With 24 ft² boxes it is 4.
How much extra flooring should I buy for a 9x9 room?
5 to 10% for a simple straight layout, and 15% for diagonal or herringbone. For this room, 10% adds 8.1 ft².
How many square feet is a 9x9 room?
81 square feet (9 × 9). Add other rooms, hallways and closets you will floor, and measure into doorways.
Related sizes and guides
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.