Flooring Calculator
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 15 ft room and you're adding 10% for waste. That's 180 sq ft of floor, so you buy 198 sq ft, 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 25 sq ft per box for planks.
Can I return unused flooring?
Usually yes if it's unopened. Check the store's policy.
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Estimates only — see our full disclaimer.