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Flooring Calculator

Plan your flooring project

Units

Boxes Needed

10

Total Area

183.2 sq ft

Cost

$1678.17

Waste

10%

Total: 183.2 sq ft

$

You Need

10

boxes

Coverage

204.5 sq ft

With Waste

201.5 sq ft

Cost Estimate

Materials$1610.09
Installation (est.)$68.08
Total Estimate$1678.17

Area Breakdown

Room Area183.2 sq ft
+ 10% Waste201.5 sq ft
Total Coverage (10 boxes)204.5 sq ft

Waste Factor

10% extra material for cuts & waste10%
Pro Tip: Order extra boxes from the same lot for color consistency. Store leftovers for future repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How do I calculate how much flooring I need?

Measure room length × width = square feet. Add 10-15% for waste. Divide by sq ft per box. Example: 12×15 room = 180 sq ft + 10% = 198 sq ft. At 20 sq ft/box = 10 boxes needed.

  • Formula: Length × Width = Square feet
  • Add 10% waste for rectangular rooms
  • Add 15% waste for L-shaped or complex rooms
  • Add 20% waste for diagonal installation
  • Divide total by sq ft per box, round UP
Room ShapeWaste Factor200 sq ft RoomOrder Amount
Simple rectangle+10%220 sq ft11 boxes @ 20 sq ft
L-shaped+15%230 sq ft12 boxes
Diagonal pattern+20%240 sq ft12 boxes
Many obstacles+15-20%230-240 sq ft12 boxes
Q

How much does flooring cost per square foot?

Vinyl plank: $2-7/sq ft. Laminate: $1-5/sq ft. Engineered hardwood: $4-10/sq ft. Solid hardwood: $6-15/sq ft. Carpet: $2-8/sq ft. Installation adds $2-8/sq ft depending on type.

  • DIY saves 40-60% (installation cost)
  • Don't forget: Underlayment, transitions, baseboards
  • Hardwood: Refinishing extends lifespan 50+ years
  • LVP: Best value for durability + appearance
Flooring TypeMaterial CostInstall CostTotal per Sq Ft
Vinyl plank (LVP)$2-7$2-4$4-11
Laminate$1-5$2-4$3-9
Engineered hardwood$4-10$4-8$8-18
Solid hardwood$6-15$6-10$12-25
Carpet$2-8$1-3$3-11
Tile$1-15$5-10$6-25
Q

What is the best flooring for each room?

Kitchen/bathroom: Tile, LVP, vinyl (waterproof). Living areas: Hardwood, laminate, LVP. Bedrooms: Carpet, hardwood, laminate. Basement: LVP, tile (moisture resistant). Consider traffic, moisture, and comfort.

  • LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank): Versatile for most rooms
  • Tile: Best for wet areas, coldest underfoot
  • Hardwood: Beautiful but needs maintenance
  • Carpet: Warmest, softest, needs most cleaning
RoomBest OptionsAvoidKey Factor
KitchenTile, LVP, vinylCarpet, laminateWater resistance
BathroomTile, LVPLaminate, hardwoodWaterproof
Living roomHardwood, LVP, laminateCheap carpetDurability + style
BedroomCarpet, hardwoodTile (cold)Comfort, warmth
BasementLVP, tile, epoxyHardwood, laminateMoisture
Q

Laminate vs LVP vs hardwood: Which is best?

LVP: Best overall value (waterproof, durable, looks good). Laminate: Cheapest, not waterproof. Hardwood: Most beautiful, highest maintenance. For most homes, LVP offers best combination of price, durability, and appearance.

  • LVP: Best for families, pets, kitchens/baths
  • Laminate: Budget option, avoid in wet areas
  • Hardwood: Investment, adds home value
  • Engineered hardwood: Hardwood look, more stable
FeatureLaminateLVP (Vinyl Plank)Hardwood
Cost$1-5/sq ft$2-7/sq ft$6-15/sq ft
WaterproofNoYesNo
Durability7-15 years15-25 years25-100+ years
Can refinishNoNoYes (3-5 times)
DIY friendlyYesYesModerate
Resale valueLowModerateHigh
Q

How do I measure a room with closets and irregular shapes?

Break into rectangles. Measure each section separately. Add them together. For closets: Include if you're flooring them. For irregular shapes: Measure longest length and width, accept some waste.

  • Rectangle 1: Main room (L × W)
  • Rectangle 2: Closet (L × W)
  • Rectangle 3: Alcove (L × W)
  • Add all rectangles together
  • Add 15-20% waste for complex shapes
  • Don't subtract for small obstacles (islands, fixtures)
Q

Should I DIY flooring or hire a pro?

DIY-friendly: Vinyl plank, laminate, carpet tiles. Pro recommended: Hardwood, tile, carpet with pad. DIY saves $2-8/sq ft but requires time, tools, and precision. Mistakes are costly - hardwood especially.

  • Start with simple room to learn
  • Watch installation videos for your specific product
  • Rent specialty tools vs buying
  • Acclimate flooring 48-72 hours before install
Flooring TypeDIY DifficultyTools NeededDIY Savings
LVP (click-lock)EasyBasic (saw, spacers)$2-4/sq ft
LaminateEasyBasic + pull bar$2-4/sq ft
Carpet tilesEasyKnife, tape$1-2/sq ft
Engineered hardwoodModerateMiter saw, nailer$4-6/sq ft
Solid hardwoodHardPro nailer, expertise$6-10/sq ft
TileHardTile saw, trowels, grout$5-8/sq ft

Example Calculations

1Hardwood Flooring for a 15 × 12 ft Room

Inputs

Room Length15 ft
Room Width12 ft
Flooring TypeHardwood
Waste Allowance10%
Coverage per Box20 sq ft
Price per Sq Ft$8.00

Result

Boxes Needed10 boxes
Floor Area180.0 sq ft
Area with Waste198.0 sq ft
Material Cost$1,584.00
Installation Cost$720.00
Total Cost$2,304.00

Area = 15 × 12 = 180 sq ft. With 10% waste: 180 × 1.10 = 198 sq ft. Boxes = ceil(198 / 20) = 10 boxes. Material cost = 198 × $8 = $1,584. Installation = 180 × $4 = $720. Total = $2,304.

2Laminate Flooring for a 20 × 16 ft Room

Inputs

Room Length20 ft
Room Width16 ft
Flooring TypeLaminate
Waste Allowance15%
Coverage per Box24 sq ft
Price per Sq Ft$3.00

Result

Boxes Needed16 boxes
Floor Area320.0 sq ft
Area with Waste368.0 sq ft
Material Cost$1,104.00
Installation Cost$1,280.00
Total Cost$2,384.00

Area = 20 × 16 = 320 sq ft. With 15% waste: 320 × 1.15 = 368 sq ft. Boxes = ceil(368 / 24) = 16 boxes. Material cost = 368 × $3 = $1,104. Installation = 320 × $4 = $1,280. Total = $2,384.

Formulas Used

Floor Area

Area = Length × Width

Calculates the total floor area from room dimensions.

Where:

Length= Room length (ft or m)
Width= Room width (ft or m)

Area with Waste

Area with Waste = Area × (1 + Waste% / 100)

Adds waste allowance (typically 10-20%) for cuts and fitting.

Where:

Waste%= Waste percentage (10%, 15%, or 20%)

Boxes Needed

Boxes = ceil(Area with Waste / Coverage per Box)

Rounds up to the next full box for complete coverage.

Where:

Coverage per Box= Square footage or m² each box covers

Total Cost

Total Cost = Material Cost + Installation Cost

Material cost = area with waste × price per unit area. Installation estimated at $4/sq ft.

Where:

Material Cost= Area with waste × price per sq ft
Installation Cost= Floor area × $4/sq ft

Flooring Calculator Guide

Proper material calculation ensures a smooth installation with minimal waste. Always buy 10-15% extra and from the same lot/dye batch for color consistency.

Consider your lifestyle when choosing flooring. Families with kids and pets benefit from waterproof, scratch-resistant LVP. Empty nesters may prefer the elegance of hardwood.

Don't forget additional costs: underlayment, transitions, baseboards, removal of old flooring, and subfloor preparation can add significantly to your budget.

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Last Updated: Feb 12, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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