Flooring calculator
Work out how many boxes of plank, laminate or vinyl flooring a room needs from its area and the coverage figure printed on the box.
Flooring calculator
Work out how many boxes of plank, laminate or vinyl flooring a room needs from its area and the coverage figure printed on the box.
Enter area dimensions and coverage per box to estimate the boxes you need.
Boxes needed
Project summary
How it works
Estimate only. Coverage per box varies by product; use the figure printed on your chosen flooring for an accurate order, and buy from the same batch or dye lot where possible.
Flooring calculator
Bought by the box, not by the individual plank
Plank, laminate and vinyl flooring is priced and sold by the box using a coverage figure the manufacturer prints on the packaging, in square feet per box, rather than by individual piece dimensions the way tile is counted. This calculator divides the room area, with a waste allowance added, by that coverage figure and rounds up, since a partial box still has to be bought in full.
Overage is the material left over, not wasted
Because boxes cover a fixed area and the last box is rarely used completely, the total coverage bought is usually a little more than the room area. That extra, shown as overage, is not waste in the sense of being thrown away, it is spare material for cuts, mistakes, and future repairs from the same batch and dye lot.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes of flooring do I need for a 200 square foot room?
The box count depends on the coverage per box printed on your chosen product, which varies by brand and plank size. Enter your room area and that coverage figure above for the exact box count and overage.
Why is the total coverage more than my room area?
Boxes are bought in whole units, and a waste allowance for cuts and pattern matching is added before dividing by the coverage per box. The result rarely divides evenly, so the total coverage bought is rounded up to the next full box.
How many square feet of flooring do I need for a 12 by 12 room?
A 12 by 12 room has 144 square feet. Add 10 percent waste and you need about 158 square feet. The calculator gives you the exact amount.
How much does hardwood flooring cost per square foot?
Solid hardwood costs 4 to 12 dollars per square foot. Engineered hardwood costs 3 to 10 dollars. The calculator gives you the square footage for pricing.
How much laminate flooring do I need?
Laminate flooring comes in packs that cover a specific area. The calculator shows total square footage with waste, and you divide by the pack coverage.
Do I need underlayment for laminate flooring?
Yes, most laminate flooring requires a foam or cork underlayment. It provides moisture protection and sound dampening. The calculator estimates flooring area, and you add underlayment separately.
What is the waste factor for flooring?
10 percent is standard for simple rectangular rooms. Diagonal installations and rooms with many corners need 15 percent. The calculator lets you set the waste percentage.
How do I calculate flooring for closets?
Measure the closet floor area separately and add it to the room total. The calculator handles rectangular areas, and you can compute closets as separate sections.