Flooring Calculator

Work out the square footage, number of boxes, and cost for laminate, vinyl, or hardwood flooring — with a waste allowance built in.

How to calculate flooring

Start with the room's area, then add a waste allowance for cuts, mistakes, and future repairs:

Flooring needed = length × width × (1 + waste %)

To find how many boxes to buy, divide that total by the coverage printed on each box and round up. For non-rectangular rooms, split the space into rectangles, calculate each, and add them together.

How much waste should you add?

LayoutRecommended waste
Straight, simple rectangular room8–10%
Rooms with closets, angles, or obstacles10–15%
Diagonal layout15%
Herringbone or chevron15–20%

Tips before you buy

  • Buy a little extra. Keeping one spare box means a perfect-match repair years later, after the product may be discontinued.
  • Check the box coverage. Coverage per box varies by brand and plank size — always read the carton.
  • Account for transitions. Doorways and room transitions may need trim pieces that are sold separately.

Frequently asked questions

How much flooring do I need for a 12x12 room?
A 12 × 12 ft room is 144 sq ft. With a 10% waste allowance you should buy about 159 sq ft, then round up to the next full box.
How much extra should I add for waste?
About 10% for a standard straight layout, and 15–20% for diagonal, herringbone, or rooms with lots of cuts.
How do I figure out the number of boxes?
Divide your total square footage (including waste) by the coverage per box printed on the carton, then round up to the next whole box.
Does this work for laminate, vinyl, and hardwood?
Yes — the method is identical for laminate, luxury vinyl plank, engineered wood, and solid hardwood. Just enter your product's coverage per box.

Related calculators & guides