Flooring Calculator
Find out exactly how many cartons of laminate, vinyl or hardwood planks to buy - including the waste allowance for cuts, so you are never short mid-project.
How to use this flooring calculator
Measure the length and width of the room in feet, check the coverage printed on your flooring box (usually 15-40 sq ft per carton), and pick a waste percentage. For rectangular rooms with standard plank installation, 10% is the safe default - you will use some for end cuts, ripped starter rows and a few replacement planks.
Buying one extra box is always worth it: flooring lots can vary in shade between production runs, and having spare planks makes future repairs trivial. If your room has lots of corners, a diagonal layout, or is longer than about 25 feet, use 15% waste.
Flooring calculator FAQ
Should I buy extra flooring boxes?
Yes - at least one extra box. Shade variation between production batches means you often cannot match planks later, and repairs are much easier with matching spares on hand.
How do I calculate flooring for an L-shaped room?
Split the room into two rectangles, calculate each separately, and add them together. Then apply your waste percentage to the combined total.
Does underlayment come with laminate flooring?
Many laminate boxes include attached underlayment padding. Vinyl plank flooring sometimes has it built in too - check the product description so you do not double-buy.