Flooring Calculator

Calculate how many boxes of laminate, hardwood or vinyl plank flooring you need from the room size, box coverage and waste. Example: a 15 by 12 foot room is 180 square feet, so 10 boxes of 20 square feet cover it with 10% waste.

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Room length

feet

Room width

feet

Coverage per box

sq ft

Waste allowance

Price per box (optional)

How to use the Flooring Calculator

Measure the length and width of the room in feet.
Enter the coverage printed on one box of flooring.
Pick a waste allowance and press Calculate.

Formula and method

Area = length x width. Area with waste = area x (1 + waste). Boxes = area with waste / coverage per box, rounded up.

Worked example: 15 x 12 ft room

Step	Result
Area	180 sq ft
With 10% waste	198 sq ft
Boxes of 20 sq ft (198 / 20)	10
Coverage bought	200 sq ft

Boxes needed by room size at 10% waste (20 sq ft boxes)

Room	Area	Boxes
10 x 10 ft	100 sq ft	6
12 x 12 ft	144 sq ft	8
12 x 15 ft	180 sq ft	10
15 x 20 ft	300 sq ft	17
20 x 25 ft	500 sq ft	28

Tips before you buy

Let planks acclimate in the room for 48 hours, leave a gap at the walls for expansion, and buy all boxes at once so the color and lot match. Keep a box for repairs.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate flooring?

Multiply length by width, add waste, divide by box coverage and round up.

How much waste should I add?

About 10%, or 15% for diagonal or patterned installs.

How do I measure an L-shaped room?

Split it into rectangles, find each area and add them.

How many square feet are in a box of flooring?

Typically 15 to 25 square feet. Check the box.

Do I need underlayment?

Often, but check your flooring type and subfloor.

How long does flooring take to acclimate?

Usually 48 to 72 hours in the room.

Sources

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Effortless Math Team

15 minutes ago