Flooring calculator
How many boxes of laminate, vinyl plank, wood or tile to buy.
How it works
We add up the area of each rectangle, add a cutting-waste allowance for your laying pattern, and round up to whole boxes. Straight lay wastes least, about 10%; diagonal about 15%; herringbone and chevron about 20%, because every row ends in angled cuts.
How to measure a room
- Measure wall to wall at the longest and widest points, including under any built-in furniture you will floor beneath.
- Split L-shaped and irregular rooms into rectangles and enter them as separate areas.
- Include closets and door thresholds you plan to cover.
Before you lay it
Most laminate and wood products ask you to let boxes sit in the room for a day or two before fitting, and to leave an expansion gap at the walls. Follow the instructions for your product. Keep a spare box: matching the same batch years later is hard.
Common questions
How much extra flooring should I buy?
About 10% for a straight lay in a simple room, 15% for diagonal and 20% for herringbone. Add a little more for rooms with many corners.
Reviewed by Alex Rowan, Editor. Last reviewed . How we calculate · Report a problem