Flooring Calculator
Square footage plus waste, boxes to buy, and cost — for laminate, LVP, hardwood, and tile
10% straight lay; 15% diagonal/herringbone
On the box label; 0 to skip
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Quick summary
Take the floor area (length × width, or enter it directly), add a waste allowance — 10% for a straight lay, 15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns — and divide by the carton coverage printed on the box, rounding up. A 20×15 room (300 sq ft) at 10% waste needs 330 sq ft of material: fifteen 22 sq ft boxes.
Reviewed by Simple Calculators TeamLast reviewed
How to use this calculator
- Enter the inputs requested by the calculator.
- Choose the units or options that match your situation and review the assumptions.
- Run or update the calculation to see the result.
- Review the result, breakdown, and formulas shown on the page.
- Check the inputs, units, dates, and limitations before saving or sharing the result.
Frequently asked questions
How much extra flooring should I buy?
10% over the measured area for a standard straight installation, 15% for diagonal lays, herringbone, or rooms with many angles, and up to 20% for natural stone or large-format tile where breakage and culling run higher. The waste covers end cuts, mistakes, and damaged pieces.
How many boxes of flooring do I need?
Divide the material total (area + waste) by the coverage printed on the carton and round UP — stores sell whole boxes. 330 sq ft at 22 sq ft per box is exactly 15 boxes; at 20 sq ft per box it's 16.5, so buy 17.
Should I keep leftover flooring?
Yes — a box or two from the same production run is your repair kit. Planks from later runs can differ subtly in shade and texture, so leftover material is often the only perfect match you'll ever have.
What does flooring cost per square foot?
Materials alone: laminate $1–4, luxury vinyl plank $2–5, engineered hardwood $4–9, solid hardwood $5–12, ceramic tile $1–8. Professional installation typically adds $2–8 per sq ft depending on material and prep — enter material price here and budget labor separately.
Key terms
- Waste Factor
- Extra material over the measured area for cuts and errors — 10% standard, 15% for patterns.
- Carton Coverage
- Square feet per box, printed on the label — the divisor for box math.
- Underlayment
- The pad layer beneath floating floors — measured by the same square footage, sold in rolls.
Methodology, sources & limitations
This page shows the formula, assumptions, and limitations used for this estimate. Rates, thresholds, and other time-sensitive inputs can change, so verify them against the relevant official source before relying on a result.
For our review approach and the primary sources we consult, see the methodology and source policy. If you spot an outdated figure or formula, please contact us with a correction.