Flooring Calculator
Calculate how much flooring, tile or laminate to buy, including waste, number of boxes and total cost.
How much flooring to buy
Measure the room's area, add a waste allowance for cuts and mistakes, then round up to whole boxes.
Flooring to buy = Length × Width × (1 + Waste%)
A 15 × 12 ft room is 180 ft². With 10% waste you need 198 ft². At 20 ft² per box that is 10 boxes (200 ft²), costing $700 at $3.50 per square foot.
Choosing a waste allowance
- 5–7%: large rectangular rooms with planks laid straight.
- 10%: the standard for most rooms.
- 15%: diagonal tile layouts, many corners, or patterned material that must line up.
- 20%: herringbone, chevron and other complex patterns.
Extra tips
- Buy all boxes from the same production lot so color and size match.
- Keep one spare box for future repairs; discontinued styles are hard to match.
- Let wood and laminate acclimate in the room for 48 hours before installing.
- Remember underlayment, transition strips and baseboards, priced separately.
Typical installed costs
Material prices vary widely: laminate and vinyl plank often run $2–5 per square foot, ceramic tile $1–10, and hardwood $5–15. Professional installation typically adds a few dollars per square foot, more for tile and patterned layouts. Get at least three written quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How much extra flooring should I buy?
Buy 10% extra for most rooms, 15% for diagonal layouts and up to 20% for herringbone or complex patterns.
How many boxes of flooring do I need?
Divide the square footage including waste by the coverage per box and round up.
Should I include closets?
Yes, if the flooring will continue into them. Measure them as separate rectangles and add them in.
Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026. Results are estimates; check important decisions with a qualified professional.