Home, energy & building
Flooring Calculator
Work out how much flooring to buy for a room. Enter the room size, choose vinyl, laminate, hardwood, tile or carpet, add a waste allowance and the coverage per box, and get the square feet, boxes or tiles to buy and the material cost.
How to use the Flooring Calculator
- Enter room length and width.
- Choose the flooring type.
- Set the waste % and box coverage.
- Enter the price per sq ft.
Formula
Example
A 15 × 12 ft room is 180 sq ft; with 10% waste you need 198 sq ft - 9 boxes of 22 sq ft.
Waste allowance
- 5-10% - simple straight layout
- 10-15% - many corners or closets
- 15-20% - diagonal, herringbone or large tiles
Measuring tips
- Measure at the longest and widest points of the room in feet
- Split L-shaped rooms into two rectangles and add them
- Include closets and the space under doors
- Round measurements up to the next half foot
Choosing a flooring type
Vinyl plank and laminate are popular for being affordable and easy to install over a level floor. Hardwood adds value but needs care in damp areas. Tile and marble suit kitchens, bathrooms and hot climates - common in Pakistani homes, where floors are often priced per square foot by the installer. Carpet is warm and quiet but harder to keep clean.
Don’t forget
- Underlayment for vinyl and laminate
- Skirting or baseboards and transition strips at doorways
- Grout and adhesive for tiles
- Installation labour, often quoted per square foot
Related free tools
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy extra boxes?
Keep one spare box for future repairs - dye lots change.
Does this include underlayment?
No; buy underlayment for the same square footage.
Carpet width?
Carpet usually comes in 12 ft rolls; seams add waste.
Let flooring acclimate?
Most vinyl and wood need 24-48 hours in the room before installing.
How much extra should I buy for tiles?
Buy about 10% extra for straight layouts and 15% for diagonal patterns or rooms with many corners.
Can I use square meters?
Convert first: 1 square meter = 10.764 square feet.
Results are estimates for planning. Your inputs stay in your browser and are not sent to Soft2Cloud.
Last updated: November 2026