Flooring Calculator
Add up to four rooms and calculate flooring square footage, extra material for waste, boxes from coverage per box, and optional material cost.
How to use this flooring calculator
Flooring is sold by the square foot or by the box. Measure each room as a rectangle (split L-shapes), add them, then add waste: 8–10% for straight plank, 12–15% for diagonal, herringbone, or lots of cuts. Closets count. Stairs do not — stringers and treads are extra.
Leave unused rooms at 0. Price is optional: enter dollars per box when you filled in sq ft per box, or dollars per square foot if box size is 0. This flooring calculator does not include underlayment, transitions, or labor.
Formula
Worked example
A 12×10 and a 10×10 room = 220 sq ft. 10% waste → 242 sq ft. At 20 sq ft/box that is 13 boxes.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate flooring square footage?
Length × width for each rectangle, then add. A 12×10 room is 120 sq ft.
How much extra flooring for waste?
10% is the usual carton buffer. Go higher for pattern layouts and rooms with many jogs.
How many boxes of flooring do I need?
Divide the waste-adjusted square footage by the coverage printed on the box, then round up.
Do I include closets?
Yes. Measure them as extra rooms.
Laminate vs hardwood waste?
Similar percentages. Tile waste lives on the Tile Calculator because grout and cuts differ.
Results are estimates for informational purposes and are not financial, legal, or professional advice. Last reviewed 2026-08-19.