Flooring Calculator
Estimate flooring area, waste, number of boxes, and total project cost for tile, vinyl, laminate, hardwood, and more. Supports multiple rooms, imperial/metric units, and both box-based and plank-based products.
1. Measurement units
2. Room / area dimensions
Add one or more rectangular sections. For L-shaped rooms, split into two rectangles.
Total net area: 0.00 sq ft
3. Flooring product
4. Waste allowance & pattern
5. Cost (optional)
per box
per sq ft
Results
Area
Net area: 0.00 sq ft
Waste: 0.00 sq ft (0%)
Total covered: 0.00 sq ft
Materials
Boxes needed: 0
Extra pieces (approx): 0
Material cost: $0.00
Total project cost (optional)
Installation cost: $0.00
Estimated total: $0.00
Note: Always round up to the next full box and consider ordering an extra box for future repairs, especially for discontinued or special-order products.
How this flooring calculator works
This flooring calculator is designed to be more flexible than typical store tools. It supports multiple rooms, both imperial and metric units, and flooring sold either by box or by individual plank/tile. It also lets you adjust waste based on your layout pattern and room complexity.
1. Measure your rooms
For each rectangular section, measure the length and width along the finished floor line:
- Use a tape measure or laser measure.
- Measure to the nearest inch or centimeter.
- For L-shaped or irregular rooms, split the space into two or more rectangles and add each as a separate section.
The calculator multiplies length × width for each section and sums them to get the total net area.
\( A_i = L_i \times W_i \)
Total net area
\( A_{\text{net}} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} A_i \)
2. Add waste allowance
Flooring projects always generate waste from offcuts, pattern matching, and mistakes. We apply a waste percentage to the net area:
\( A_{\text{waste}} = A_{\text{net}} \times \frac{p}{100} \)
Total area to purchase
\( A_{\text{total}} = A_{\text{net}} + A_{\text{waste}} \)
Typical waste percentages:
- 5–7% – simple, square rooms, straight lay.
- 8–10% – most projects, some cuts and doorways.
- 12–15% – diagonal, herringbone, or very chopped-up spaces.
3. Convert area into boxes and pieces
If you know the coverage per box (for example, 20 sq ft or 1.86 m²), the calculator divides the total area by that coverage and rounds up:
\( N_{\text{boxes}} = \left\lceil \dfrac{A_{\text{total}}}{C_{\text{box}}} \right\rceil \)
If you only know plank or tile dimensions and pieces per box, we first compute the coverage per piece and per box:
\( A_{\text{piece}} = L_{\text{piece}} \times W_{\text{piece}} \)
Coverage per box
\( C_{\text{box}} = A_{\text{piece}} \times N_{\text{pieces/box}} \)
From this, we estimate how many extra pieces your waste allowance represents, which is useful if you’re buying loose tiles or planks.
4. Estimating material and installation cost
To estimate your budget, the calculator multiplies:
- Material cost = boxes × price per box, or total area × price per sq ft/m².
- Installation cost = total area × install price per sq ft/m².
\( C_{\text{material}} = N_{\text{boxes}} \times P_{\text{box}} \)
Installation cost
\( C_{\text{install}} = A_{\text{total}} \times P_{\text{install}} \)
Total project cost
\( C_{\text{total}} = C_{\text{material}} + C_{\text{install}} \)
Remember to add a margin for taxes, delivery, subfloor prep, underlayment, trim, and transitions.
Choosing the right waste percentage
Waste is not “bad” – it’s insurance that you won’t run short. Running out of flooring mid-project can cause color/lot mismatches or delays.
- Simple bedrooms / living rooms: 5–7% is usually enough.
- Hallways, closets, many doorways: 8–10% is safer.
- Diagonal or herringbone patterns: 12–15% is common.
- Natural stone with strong variation: higher waste may be needed for color selection.
Common flooring types this calculator supports
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) & luxury vinyl tile (LVT)
- Laminate flooring
- Engineered and solid hardwood
- Ceramic and porcelain tile
- Stone tile (marble, travertine, etc.)
- Carpet tiles
For sheet goods (like sheet vinyl or broadloom carpet), you’ll usually plan by roll width and cut length rather than boxes. You can still use this calculator to estimate total area and cost, but check roll layout with your installer.
Practical tips before you order flooring
- Verify actual coverage per box: Always use the manufacturer’s printed coverage, not just plank size × pieces.
- Check lot numbers: Order all material from the same dye lot to avoid color variation.
- Plan for future repairs: Keeping one extra unopened box is often wise, especially for discontinued styles.
- Account for subfloor and underlayment: Some products require specific underlayments or moisture barriers.
- Confirm with your installer: Use this calculator as a planning tool, then confirm quantities with a professional before placing a final order.
Flooring Calculator FAQ
How much extra flooring should I buy for waste?
For simple, rectangular rooms with a straight lay pattern, 5–7% waste is usually enough. For more complex layouts, diagonal or herringbone patterns, or rooms with many doorways and alcoves, 10–15% is safer. The calculator lets you choose or enter a custom waste percentage and shows how many extra boxes or pieces that represents.
Can I use this for multiple rooms or an entire house?
Yes. Add each room or area as a separate section with its own length and width. The tool sums all sections to calculate the total area, applies your chosen waste percentage, and converts that into boxes and cost. This is ideal for whole-home projects or apartments.
What if my room isn’t a perfect rectangle?
Break the space into two or more rectangles. For example, an L-shaped room can be treated as two overlapping rectangles. Measure each part separately, add them as sections, and the calculator will handle the total area automatically.
Should I enter the exact plank size or just the box coverage?
If you have the box coverage from the manufacturer (for example, 19.63 sq ft per box), that’s usually the most reliable number. If you only know plank or tile dimensions and pieces per box, you can use the plank mode and the calculator will estimate coverage per box for you.
Does this calculator include trim, baseboards, or underlayment?
No. The calculator focuses on the main flooring material and optional installation labor. Accessories like underlayment, transition strips, stair nosing, baseboards, and adhesives should be estimated separately, often as a percentage add-on or by linear footage.