Flooring Calculator
Square footage, waste, boxes to buy, and underlayment for any flooring material.
Waste factors by layout
| Install | Waste | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Straight lay, square room | 5% | Few cuts, offcuts start the next row |
| Standard plank or tile | 10% | The safe default for most jobs |
| Diagonal, or lots of jogs | 15% | Angle cuts waste both ends |
| Herringbone or chevron | 20% | Every piece is cut on an angle |
Order all boxes from the same dye lot. Keep one spare box for repairs.
Flooring estimating FAQ
How much flooring waste should I add?
Ten percent covers most standard plank and tile installs. Drop to 5 percent on a simple straight lay in a square room, and go to 15 or 20 percent for diagonal, herringbone, or chevron patterns.
How do I calculate square footage for flooring?
Length times width in feet for each rectangle, then add the rectangles together. For an L shaped room, split it into two rectangles and total them.
How many boxes of flooring do I need?
Divide your total square footage plus waste by the coverage per box, then round up. Box coverage is printed on the carton and varies by product, commonly 18 to 24 square feet.
Should I buy an extra box?
Yes. Keep one full box for future repairs. Dye lots change and a discontinued product means pulling the whole floor for one damaged plank.
Do I need underlayment?
Most floating floors need it unless the pad is attached to the plank. Glue down and nail down floors usually do not. Check the manufacturer instructions because using the wrong pad can void the warranty.
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