Flooring Calculator (Metric)
Enter your room size and a waste percentage to get the square footage to buy for laminate, hardwood, vinyl plank, or tile.
What your result means
Base square footage is the bare room; total adds your waste for cuts and is what you actually buy. Use 10% for a straight layout, 15 to 20% for diagonal or herringbone or a room full of closets and corners. Round up to full boxes, since retailers won't break a box, and keep a few planks back for repairs.
How to use this calculator
- Measure room length and width in feet.
- Standard waste: 10% for straight layouts.
- 15-20% for diagonal patterns or rooms with many cuts.
- Read base sq ft and total sq ft to purchase.
- Always order full boxes/packs.
The formula
Room area is length times width. Multiply by one plus the waste percentage to get the amount to purchase.
Worked example
Say you've got a 12 by 4.6 m room and you're adding 10% for waste. That's 16.7 m² of floor, so you buy 18.4 m², rounded up to full boxes.
Flooring waste by layout
| Layout | Waste |
|---|---|
| Straight, rectangular room | 10% |
| Diagonal | 15% |
| Herringbone / many cuts | 15 – 20% |
| Lots of corners and closets | 20% |
Tips & gotchas
- 10% waste is standard for a rectangular room.
- Bump to 15% for a diagonal or herringbone layout.
- Go 20% for a room with lots of corners and closets.
- Always buy full boxes; stores don't break them open.
- Keep the extras for future repairs.
Frequently asked questions
How much flooring do I need?
Measure the room's square footage, add 10 to 20% waste, and round up to full boxes.
What's a normal flooring waste percentage?
10% for a straight layout, 15 to 20% for diagonal or complex shapes.
Should I order extra flooring?
Yes, beyond the waste. Save two or three planks for future repairs.
How is flooring sold?
By the box, usually 20 to 2.3 m² per box for planks.
Can I return unused flooring?
Usually yes if it's unopened. Check the store's policy.
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