Flooring Calculator
Calculate square footage and carton counts for hardwood, laminate, vinyl plank, and other flooring with a configurable waste allowance.
Assumptions
- Room is rectangular or area is entered directly.
- Default waste is 10% for straight layouts; use 12–15% for diagonal installs.
- Carton coverage comes from your product label (often 20–30 ft²).
- Does not include underlayment, transitions, or adhesive.
- Stair treads and closets should be added separately if not in the room dimensions.
Floor area = length × width (or enter area directly). Order area = area × (1 + waste%). Cartons = ceil(order area ÷ coverage per carton).12 × 14 ft bedroom, 10% waste
- Area = 168 ft². With 10% waste = 184.8 ft². If each carton covers 24 ft²: 184.8 ÷ 24 = 7.7 → 8 cartons.
How to measure
Measure the longest wall lengths at the floor level. For L-shaped rooms, break into rectangles and sum areas, or measure total area from a floor plan.
Common mistakes
- Ordering exact net area with zero waste — cuts always produce scrap.
- Using box coverage from a different SKU or plank width.
- Forgetting closet floors and alcoves attached to the room.
Frequently asked questions
How much waste for herringbone or diagonal?
Plan 12–15% waste for diagonal layouts and 15–20% for complex herringbone patterns.
Does this work for tile?
Use the tile calculator for individual tile counts with grout gaps.
Should I buy extra for future repairs?
Keep one spare carton when possible — dye lots change and styles discontinue.
Metric rooms?
Enter dimensions in meters or centimeters; results show ft² and m².