Figure My Build

Flooring Calculator

Enter the room and the coverage printed on your flooring box, and get the number of boxes to buy, with cutting and fitting waste already added, so the last row doesn't leave you one plank short.

Diagram of a floor showing its length and width
Floor area is length × width. Boxes are then rounded up to full packs.

Your buy-list

Enter your measurements

How the box count is calculated

Boxes = room area × (1 + waste allowance) ÷ coverage per box, rounded up. You can't buy part of a box. The coverage per box is printed on every pack of laminate, vinyl plank and engineered wood; it varies by product (commonly 15–30 sq ft), so the calculator takes it straight from your box rather than guessing a brand.

The waste allowance covers cuts at walls, doorways and the unusable offcuts at row ends: 5% for a simple rectangular room, 10% as the standard planning figure, 15% for diagonal or herringbone layouts and rooms with many corners.

Don't forget underlayment if your planks don't have it attached. It's sold by the roll, usually 100 sq ft per roll, so divide your room area by 100 and round up. Carpeting the room instead? The Carpet Calculator works out the square yards and roll layout.

Worked examples

12 × 14 ft bedroom

168 sq ft, 10% waste, boxes covering 20 sq ft each.

Buy 10 boxes

250 sq ft open-plan area

Known-area mode, 10% waste, 24 sq ft per box.

Buy 12 boxes

10 × 10 ft office

100 sq ft, 5% waste (simple rectangle), 18 sq ft per box.

Buy 6 boxes

Frequently asked questions

How many boxes of flooring do I need for a 12×14 room?
The room is 168 sq ft. Add 10% for cuts (185 sq ft) and divide by the box coverage. At 20 sq ft per box that's 10 boxes. Always check the coverage printed on your chosen product; it differs between brands.
How much extra flooring should I buy for waste?
5% for a plain rectangle with straight lay, 10% as a safe standard, 15% for diagonal/herringbone or awkward rooms. Keep one spare box afterwards for repairs. Ranges get discontinued.
Do I measure the room or the floor area including closets?
Measure every area the flooring will actually cover, including closets and under appliances, and treat each as its own rectangle. Add the rectangles together and enter the total in area mode if that's easier.
Does the calculator include underlayment?
No. Underlayment is a separate line on the shopping list. If your planks don't have attached pad, buy rolls to cover the same area: room sq ft ÷ 100 sq ft per roll, rounded up.

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Estimate disclaimer: results are planning estimates based on standard manufacturer yields and coverage figures. Site conditions, product choice and installation method change actual quantities. Verify before you buy, and follow local building code for structural work. This tool does not replace professional engineering advice.

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