Flooring Calculator
Calculate the exact amount of flooring materials needed for your home improvement project, including waste allowance and cost estimates.
Flooring Calculator
Traditional solid wood planks (~$8/sq ft)
Flooring Buying Tips
Buy from same lot: Flooring from different production batches may have slight color variations.
Check subfloor: Most flooring requires flat, dry subfloors. Budget for repairs if needed.
Acclimate materials: Let flooring sit in your home 48-72 hours before installation.
Keep extras: Store 1-2 extra boxes for future repairs. Matching discontinued patterns is difficult.
How to Use This Flooring Calculator
Our flooring calculator helps you determine exactly how much material you need for any flooring project. Select your flooring type, enter room dimensions (add multiple rooms if needed), set your waste allowance, and get instant calculations for square footage, boxes needed, and estimated costs.
Flooring Types Compared
Hardwood
Traditional solid wood planks that can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Adds value to homes but sensitive to moisture. Best for living rooms and bedrooms.
Laminate
Budget-friendly alternative with a photographic wood layer over high-density fiberboard. Easy DIY installation with click-lock planks. Not suitable for wet areas.
Vinyl Plank (LVP)
100% waterproof with realistic wood or stone looks. Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Comfortable underfoot and easy to maintain.
Engineered Wood
Real wood veneer over plywood layers. More stable than solid hardwood in varying humidity. Can be installed over concrete and radiant heating.
Bamboo
Eco-friendly grass that grows quickly and is harder than many woods. Available in natural or carbonized finishes. Sensitive to humidity changes.
How to Measure for Flooring
- Measure each room separately: Use a tape measure to find the length and width of each room in feet or meters.
- Include closets and alcoves: Measure these areas separately and add them to your total.
- Account for irregular shapes: Break down L-shaped or odd rooms into rectangles, measure each, and add together.
- Don't deduct small areas: For furniture, islands, or cabinets, it's often easier to include them in your calculation as extra waste.
Waste Allowance Guide
- 5%: Rectangular rooms with minimal cuts. Only for experienced installers.
- 10%: Standard allowance for most projects. Accounts for cuts, mistakes, and damaged pieces.
- 15%: Recommended for diagonal or herringbone patterns, or rooms with many obstacles.
- 20%: Complex patterns, angled walls, or heavily detailed rooms with many cuts.
Additional Materials Needed
- Underlayment: Most floating floors require foam or felt underlayment for cushion and moisture protection.
- Transition strips: Metal or wood strips where flooring meets other surfaces or doorways.
- Baseboards/trim: Consider if you'll reuse existing or need new quarter-round or baseboards.
- Moisture barrier: Required over concrete subfloors to prevent moisture damage.
- Adhesive: Needed for glue-down installation methods.
Installation Tips
- Acclimate materials: Leave flooring in the room for 48-72 hours before installation to adjust to humidity.
- Check subfloor: Ensure it's flat, dry, and clean. Fix squeaks and high spots before starting.
- Leave expansion gaps: Most floors need 1/4" to 1/2" gap at walls for seasonal expansion.
- Stagger seams: Offset plank ends by at least 6" for strength and appearance.
- Save leftovers: Keep extra planks for future repairs. Matching discontinued products is difficult.