How to use the flooring calculator
- Pick your units. Feet or meters.
- Add each room. Enter the length and width of every room, closet and alcove you are flooring. Split L shaped rooms into two rectangles.
- Choose the layout. Straight lay 5%, most rooms 10%, diagonal 15%, herringbone or chevron 20%.
- Enter the box coverage. Copy the square feet per box from the product page or the label.
- Add a price. Enter the price per square foot to see the material cost for the boxes you buy.
- Read what to order. See the square feet with waste and the whole boxes to buy.
How to measure a room for flooring
Measure the longest length and the widest width of the room at floor level, wall to wall, and write both down. Multiply them to get the area. For a 12 by 14 foot bedroom that is 168 square feet. Round each measurement up to the next half foot or 10 centimeters, because a few extra inches cost far less than coming up short.
Most rooms are not perfect rectangles. Split an L shaped room into two rectangles, measure each one and add them as separate rooms in the calculator. Include closets, alcoves and the space under appliances you plan to floor beneath. For bay windows, measure out to the widest point and treat it as a small extra room.
How much extra flooring should I buy?
Every floor loses some material to cuts at walls, doorways and around pipes, plus the odd damaged board. That is why flooring is always sold with a waste allowance added on top of the room area.
| Layout | Waste to add | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Straight lay | 5% | Simple rectangular rooms and long planks laid parallel to the wall |
| Standard | 10% | Most rooms with a doorway, a few corners or small obstacles |
| Diagonal | 15% | Boards or tiles set at 45 degrees, or rooms with lots of angles |
| Herringbone or chevron | 20% | Patterned layouts with many short cuts |
Worked examples: flooring for real rooms
Real results from the calculator above.
| Project | Floor area | Layout and waste | Box covers | With waste | Boxes to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12x12 bedroom | 144 sq ft | Standard, 10% | 20 sq ft | 158.4 sq ft | 8 boxes (160 sq ft) |
| 12x14 bedroom | 168 sq ft | Standard, 10% | 20 sq ft | 184.8 sq ft | 10 boxes (200 sq ft) |
| 15x20 living room, vinyl plank | 300 sq ft | Standard, 10% | 24 sq ft | 330 sq ft | 14 boxes (336 sq ft) |
| Diagonal kitchen, 10x12 | 120 sq ft | Diagonal, 15% | 20 sq ft | 138 sq ft | 7 boxes (140 sq ft) |
| Herringbone hall, 10x12 | 120 sq ft | Herringbone, 20% | 20 sq ft | 144 sq ft | 8 boxes (160 sq ft) |
| Multiple rooms: 12x14, 10x12, 15x20 | 588 sq ft | Standard, 10% | 20 sq ft | 646.8 sq ft | 33 boxes (660 sq ft) |
| Metric bedroom, 4 x 3.5 m | 14 sq m | Standard, 10% | 2.2 sq m | 15.4 sq m | 7 boxes |
Cost works on the boxes you actually buy. For the living room, 14 boxes of 24 square feet is 336 square feet, so at 2.99 per square foot the vinyl costs 1,004.64. Underlay, trims, transition strips and fitting are extra.
Flooring types and what to know before you buy
Laminate
Affordable, tough and easy to click together. Boxes usually cover 15 to 25 square feet. Needs a foam underlay unless one is attached, and it is not ideal for bathrooms.
Luxury vinyl plank
Waterproof, warm underfoot and a favorite for kitchens, bathrooms and family rooms. Boxes usually cover 20 to 30 square feet. Check whether the planks have a built in underlay.
Engineered and solid hardwood
Adds real warmth and value. Boxes are often smaller, around 18 to 25 square feet, and the planks vary in color, so open several boxes and mix boards as you lay them.
Tile
Perfect for bathrooms, kitchens and entryways. Large format tiles waste more at the edges, so lean toward 15 percent, and remember to budget for adhesive, grout and spacers.
Plan the whole room
A new floor changes how a room feels, so it is worth planning the colors together. Try the room color palette generator to match your walls to your new floor, then use the paint calculator for the walls. Laying hard flooring in a hall or living room? The rug size calculator works out the runner or area rug that fits the space with even floor showing around it. For layout and style ideas, browse our modern kitchen design ideas and entryway decor ideas.
