Flooring guide
Flooring calculator: square feet and boxes
Multiply room length by width, add an allowance for cuts and waste, then divide by the coverage listed on each box.
Enter the room size, waste percentage, and box coverage to get the number of full boxes to buy.
Use the flooring calculatorHow the flooring estimate works
The calculator finds the rectangular room area and increases it by your chosen waste allowance. It then divides the total by the square-foot coverage per box and rounds up because stores sell complete boxes.
Boxes = (length × width × (1 + waste %)) ÷ coverage per box, rounded up
Choosing a waste allowance
Ten percent is a common planning allowance for a simple rectangular room. Consider about 15 percent for diagonal patterns, many corners, irregular layouts, or material that requires more selective cuts. Follow the flooring manufacturer's guidance when it differs.
Measure irregular rooms
Divide an L-shaped or complex floor into rectangles. Calculate each rectangle separately, add their areas, and then apply waste once to the combined total. Do not subtract permanent cabinets unless the installation instructions say flooring should not run beneath them.