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Calculate how much flooring you need for any room. Get box counts, material costs, and installation estimates for hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, and carpet.
This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. Actual flooring requirements may vary based on room shape, obstacles, and installation pattern. We recommend adding 10% extra for waste.
Prices vary by region and quality grade. Consult with a flooring supplier for accurate quotes. Professional installation may be required for some flooring types.
Calculating flooring requirements is essential for any home renovation project. Whether you're installing hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, or carpet, knowing exactly how much material you need prevents costly overbuying or frustrating shortages mid-project. Flooring is typically sold by the box, with each box covering a specific square footage. Our calculator helps you determine the total area needed, including a waste factor for cuts and mistakes, and estimates both material and installation costs.
Area = Length × WidthBasic formula for rectangular rooms. For L-shaped or irregular rooms, divide into sections and add the areas together.
Total = Floor Area × (1 + Waste %)Always add 5-15% for waste due to cuts, mistakes, and pattern matching. Complex patterns or diagonal installation may require more.
Boxes = Total Area ÷ Coverage per BoxRound up to the nearest whole box. Coverage per box varies by product, typically 20-25 sq ft for planks and 10-15 sq ft for tile.
Solid or engineered wood planks. Durable and adds home value. Costs $5-15/sq ft for materials. Requires acclimation before installation. Can be refinished multiple times.
Affordable alternative to hardwood with wood-look finish. Costs $1-5/sq ft. Click-lock installation is DIY-friendly. Not suitable for wet areas without waterproof core.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is waterproof and durable. Costs $2-7/sq ft. Great for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Easy click-lock installation.
Highly durable and waterproof. Costs $1-20/sq ft depending on quality. Professional installation recommended. Ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways.
A 12x12 ft room has 144 square feet of floor area. With a 10% waste factor, you'll need 158 sq ft of flooring. For hardwood or laminate (20 sq ft per box), that's 8 boxes. For vinyl (24 sq ft per box), about 7 boxes. Always round up.
Use 10% for standard straight installations. Increase to 15% for diagonal patterns, rooms with many corners, or complex layouts. First-time DIYers should add 15% to account for learning curves and mistakes.
Installation costs vary by type: Carpet $1-4/sq ft, Laminate $2-6/sq ft, Vinyl $2-5/sq ft, Hardwood $4-12/sq ft, Tile $4-15/sq ft. Costs depend on complexity, subfloor prep, and regional labor rates.
Click-lock laminate and vinyl are DIY-friendly. Hardwood requires more skill, and tile needs professional tools and technique. Consider your experience, the room size, and whether mistakes will be costly to fix.
Coverage varies by product: Hardwood 15-25 sq ft, Laminate 20-24 sq ft, Vinyl/LVP 20-30 sq ft, Tile 10-15 sq ft. Always check the box label for exact coverage before calculating how many boxes you need.
Most floating floors (laminate, vinyl, engineered hardwood) need underlayment for cushioning, sound reduction, and moisture protection. Some products have underlayment attached. Tile requires cement board or an approved substrate.
Waterproof options are essential: Porcelain or ceramic tile, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), or engineered hardwood with a waterproof core. Avoid solid hardwood and standard laminate in wet areas.
A typical room (150-200 sq ft) takes 4-8 hours for professionals. DIY projects take longer. Hardwood may need 48-72 hours for acclimation beforehand. Allow extra time for furniture moving, subfloor prep, and transitions.