Flooring Calculator
Free and simple, type your room size and get how much flooring and how many boxes to buy, with extra for cuts and waste already added. Works for laminate, vinyl plank (LVP) and wood flooring. No sign-up, no email.
Flooring: Calculate
How to Use: 3 Easy Steps
Step 1: Measure your room: length and width in feet.
Step 2: In the shop, look at the flooring box: it says how many square feet one box covers. Type that number.
Step 3: Press Calculate. You get the sq ft to buy and the number of boxes.
Flooring Formula: How to Calculate Flooring Square Footage
Step A: Room area = Length × Width. Example: 12 × 10 = 120 sq ft.
Step B: Add extra for cuts: 120 + 10% = 132 sq ft to buy.
Step C: Boxes = Sq ft to buy ÷ sq ft in one box, rounded up. Example: 132 ÷ 20 = 6.6, so 7 boxes.
Ready Answers for Common Rooms (10% extra, boxes covering 20 sq ft)
| Room | Flooring to Buy | Boxes |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | 110 sq ft | 6 boxes |
| Room 10 × 12 ft (120 sq ft) | 132 sq ft | 7 boxes |
| Living room 12 × 15 ft (180 sq ft) | 198 sq ft | 10 boxes |
| Living room 15 × 20 ft (300 sq ft) | 330 sq ft | 17 boxes |
| Big floor 20 × 30 ft (600 sq ft) | 660 sq ft | 33 boxes |
Every brand covers a different amount per box, always use the number written on your box.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Forgetting the extra. Every row must be cut at the wall, and the last row is almost always cut lengthways too. 10% extra is the normal minimum, this calculator adds it for you.
2. Guessing the box coverage. One box may cover 15 sq ft, another 25 sq ft. Read the box, do not guess.
3. No spare box. Keep one box after the job. If one plank gets damaged later, that exact colour may no longer be sold.
4. Diagonal pattern with only 10% extra. Diagonal floors waste more, choose 15% above.
Questions People Ask
How much extra flooring should I buy?
10% extra is the standard for a normal room laid straight. Choose 15% for a diagonal pattern or a room with many corners.
How many boxes of flooring do I need for 500 sq ft?
With 10% extra you need 550 sq ft of flooring. In boxes covering 20 sq ft, that is 550 ÷ 20 = 27.5, so 28 boxes.
Where is the sq ft per box written?
On the side of the box, and in the shop listing. It is sometimes called ‘coverage per carton’.
Does this work for vinyl plank and laminate?
Yes. The math is the same for laminate, vinyl plank (LVP), and engineered wood, only the box coverage changes.
Does it include stairs or closets?
No. Measure a closet as its own small rectangle and add it to the room, or run this calculator once for each area and add the boxes.
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