Flooring Calculator
Calculate how much flooring material you need including waste factor.
How much flooring material do I need?
Calculate room area (Length x Width), add waste factor: Tile/vinyl: 10% waste for straight layouts, 15-20% for diagonal/patterns. Hardwood/laminate: 10-15% waste depending on room shape. Carpet: 10% waste minimum. Complex rooms with angles/closets need more waste. Example: 20'x15' = 300 sq ft + 10% = 330 sq ft total. Waste accounts for cuts, mistakes, future repairs. Always round up to next full box/roll.
What waste factor should I use for different flooring types?
Waste factors by material/pattern: Straight tile/plank (10%): Square rooms, simple layout. Diagonal tile (15%): 45 degrees angles create more cuts. Patterned tile (20%): Complex designs, multiple colors. Hardwood (10-15%): Depends on board length and room shape. Laminate (10%): Click-lock, minimal waste. Carpet (5-10%): Rolls minimize waste but seams matter. Irregular rooms, lots of corners, or intricate patterns always need higher waste factors.
How many boxes of laminate flooring do I need?
Check box coverage (typically 18-25 sq ft per box). Calculate: Total sq ft needed (with waste) / sq ft per box, round up. Example: 330 sq ft total / 20 sq ft per box = 16.5 = 17 boxes. Always buy 1-2 extra boxes for: Future repairs, color matching (dye lots vary), manufacturer defects. Keep extras unopened to return or store for repairs. Laminate from different batches can have slight color variations.
Should I include closets in my flooring calculation?
Yes, include closets for: Continuous flooring throughout (most common), proper room proportion, easier furniture rearrangement, resale value. Measure closet separately if: Different flooring type, very small closets (under 10 sq ft), budget constraints. However, flooring entire room including closets is standard practice and looks more professional. Also measure and include bay windows, entries, and alcoves. Measure each area separately for complex rooms.