Flooring Calculator
Calculate how much laminate, vinyl or hardwood flooring you need in square feet — and exactly how many full boxes to buy.
Results
Buy at least one extra box. Flooring batches vary in color, and spare planks are the only way to match later repairs.
How to Use This Flooring Calculator
- Measure the room length and width in feet (include closets if you will floor them).
- Choose a waste allowance for cuts and mistakes.
- Enter the square footage printed on the flooring box.
The calculator multiplies length × width, adds the waste percentage, then divides by the box coverage and rounds up to whole boxes.
Choosing the Right Waste Percentage
- 5–10%: simple rectangular rooms, straight planks, few doorways.
- 10–15%: diagonal layouts, many corners, hallways or closets.
- 15%+: herringbone/chevron patterns, which create far more waste.
Manufacturers also recommend keeping spare planks because dye lots change — a matching box bought a year later can look noticeably different.
Laminate vs. Vinyl Plank Coverage
Both laminate and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) are sold by the box, and box coverage varies by brand and plank thickness:
| Flooring type | Typical box coverage | Common plank size |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | 15–25 sq ft | 7.5 × 48 in |
| Vinyl plank (LVP) | 18–30 sq ft | 7 × 48 in or 9 × 60 in |
| Engineered hardwood | 15–25 sq ft | 5 × 48 in |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many boxes of laminate flooring do I need for a 12x12 room?
A 12×12 room is 144 square feet. With 10% waste that is about 158 square feet, and at the typical 20 square feet per box you need 8 boxes.
What waste percentage should I use for flooring?
Use 5–10% for straight layouts in simple rooms, and 10–15% for diagonal installations or rooms with many corners, doorways and closets.
How many square feet are in a box of laminate flooring?
Laminate and vinyl plank boxes typically cover 15–30 square feet. The exact number is printed on every box — always enter the number from your product.
Do I need underlayment under laminate flooring?
Most laminate planks require a foam underlayment for moisture protection and sound reduction, while many vinyl click-lock planks have underlayment built in. Check the manufacturer's instructions.