Flooring Calculator
Calculate how much flooring material you need for any room. Works for hardwood, laminate, vinyl plank, and tile. Enter your room dimensions and flooring type to get square footage, carton count, and estimated cost.
How to Calculate Flooring
Calculating how much flooring you need is simple:
- Measure the room: Measure length and width in feet. For irregular rooms, break the space into rectangles and add them together.
- Calculate square footage: Multiply length by width to get the room area.
- Add waste factor: Multiply by 1.10 (for 10% waste) or 1.15 (for 15% waste) to account for cuts, mistakes, and future repairs.
- Convert to cartons: Divide total square footage by the coverage per carton based on your flooring type.
Flooring Types Comparison
- Hardwood: Classic look, can be refinished multiple times. Standard cartons cover about 20 sq ft. Requires 48-72 hours of acclimation. Costs $5-$12 per sq ft.
- Laminate: Affordable wood-look option. Standard cartons cover about 25 sq ft. Click-lock installation is DIY-friendly. Costs $1-$5 per sq ft.
- Vinyl plank: Waterproof and low maintenance. Standard cartons cover about 24 sq ft. Ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Costs $2-$5 per sq ft.
- Tile: Extremely durable and waterproof. Coverage varies by tile size. Requires thinset mortar and grout. Use our tile calculator for precise tile counts.
Acclimation Tips
Most flooring materials need to acclimate to your room's temperature and humidity before installation:
- Hardwood: 3-5 days in the room where it will be installed
- Laminate: 48-72 hours minimum
- Vinyl plank: 24-48 hours (check manufacturer's instructions)
Direction to Lay Planks
Run flooring planks parallel to the longest wall in the room for the most visually appealing result. In hallways, planks should always run lengthwise. If your room has a prominent window, consider running planks toward the light source to minimize the appearance of seams.
Subfloor Preparation
A clean, flat subfloor is critical for a successful installation. The subfloor must be level within 3/16 inch over 10 feet. Remove any old flooring adhesive, nails, or debris. Use self-leveling compound to correct low spots and sand down high spots.