Flooring Calculator (Square Feet & Boxes)
By Vinod Kondeti · Updated
Laminate, vinyl plank, tile and hardwood are sold by the box, and each box lists the square feet it covers. Add a cutting allowance to the room area, divide by the coverage per box, then round up to whole boxes.
How do I measure for a flooring project?
- Get the room area from the room calculator first.
- Diagonal layouts and patterned tile need a bigger waste allowance than straight lay. Follow the manufacturer's guidance.
- Buy all boxes from the same lot so the colour matches.
How is the flooring amount calculated?
- Rectangle: length × width
- Circle: π × (diameter ÷ 2)²
- Triangle: ½ × base × height
- Square yards = ft² ÷ 9; m² = ft² × 0.09290304; acres = ft² ÷ 43,560
- Cost = ft² × your price per ft² (flooring: boxes × price per box)
Flooring calculator questions
How many boxes for 200 ft² with 20 ft² boxes and 10% waste?
200 × 1.10 = 220 ft², and 220 ÷ 20 = 11 boxes.
What waste percentage should I use?
The calculator defaults to 10% as a starting point. Use the flooring maker's installation guide for your pattern.
Sources
Estimates only. Use the coverage or bag size printed on your product. Read the square footage guide for worked examples.