Hardwood Flooring Calculator

Calculate hardwood flooring needed for your project. Get material quantities, boxes to buy, waste allowance, and cost estimates.

Longest wall measurement

Shortest wall measurement

Total sq ft of other rooms

Pattern affects waste percentage

Hardwood flooring price

Square feet per box/bundle (check product label)

Base Area = Length × Width (+ additional rooms)\nWaste Area = Base Area × Waste %\nTotal Flooring = Base Area + Waste\nBoxes Needed = ⌈Total Flooring ÷ Coverage per Box⌉\nMaterial Cost = Total Flooring × Price per Sq Ft\nTotal Cost = Materials + Underlayment + Installation
Example:\nRoom: 15 ft × 12 ft = 180 sq ft\nPattern: Straight (5% waste)\nPrice: $6.50/sq ft\nBox Coverage: 22 sq ft\nUnderlayment: $0.50/sq ft\n\nWaste: 180 × 5% = 9 sq ft\nTotal: 189 sq ft\nBoxes: ⌈189 ÷ 22⌉ = 9 boxes\nFlooring Cost: 189 × $6.50 = $1,229\nUnderlayment: 180 × $0.50 = $90\nMaterial Total: $1,319\nEst. Install: $540-$1,440\nProject Total: ~$2,000-$2,800

How do I calculate hardwood flooring needed?

Measure room length × width for square footage. Add 5-10% waste for cuts and irregularities. Multiply by price per sq ft for cost. For multiple rooms, calculate each separately and sum. Closets and nooks increase waste percentage.

How much waste should I include?

Standard rectangular room: 5-7%. Diagonal/herringbone pattern: 10-15%. Multiple rooms or irregular shapes: 10-12%. Lots of doorways/alcoves: 12-15%. Always round up. Leftover flooring is useful for future repairs.

What is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood?

Solid hardwood: 100% wood, 3/4" thick, can be refinished multiple times, more expensive ($6-15/sq ft). Engineered: plywood core with hardwood veneer, 1/4-1/2" thick, cheaper ($3-10/sq ft), better for basements. Both calculated the same way.

Should I include underlayment in my calculation?

Yes! Underlayment goes under flooring for sound dampening and moisture barrier. Calculate same sq ft as flooring. Cost: $0.30-1.00/sq ft. Solid hardwood typically nailed, may not need underlayment. Engineered floating floors require it.

How do I convert square feet to boxes or bundles?

Check box coverage (typically 20-30 sq ft per box). Divide total sq ft (with waste) by coverage per box. Round up to whole boxes. Example: 525 sq ft needed ÷ 22 sq ft/box = 23.9 → buy 24 boxes.