Flooring Calculator
Enter your room dimensions and the square footage per box to find out how many boxes of flooring to buy, with the right waste factor for your lay pattern.
1. Measure your room
2. Box coverage & lay pattern
Find this on the box label or product page.
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How to measure for flooring
- 1. Measure the room: Length × width in feet for rectangular rooms. Use the Irregular option for L-shaped or complex rooms.
- 2. Find box coverage: Check the box label or product page. This is listed as "covers X sq ft" or "sq ft per carton."
- 3. Choose your pattern: Straight lay = 10% waste. Diagonal or complex rooms = 15%. The waste accounts for cuts at walls and obstacles.
- 4. Don't return leftovers: Most stores allow returns of unopened boxes. Keep 1 extra box for future repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many boxes of flooring do I need for a 12×12 room?
A 12×12 ft room (144 sq ft) with 10% waste needs 158 sq ft of flooring. If each box covers 20 sq ft, you need 8 boxes. If 25 sq ft per box: 7 boxes.
How much extra flooring should I buy for waste?
Buy 10% extra for straight-lay patterns and 15% extra for diagonal patterns. Always buy from the same dye lot to ensure color consistency.
How do I calculate flooring for a room?
Measure length × width in feet to get square footage. Add 10% for waste. Divide by box coverage (found on the box label) and round up to whole boxes.
What is the waste factor for diagonal flooring?
Diagonal (45°) flooring patterns require 15% extra material for cuts. Straight-lay and running-bond patterns need 10% extra. Always round up to full boxes.
Formula: Boxes = ceil(Area × (1 + waste%) ÷ box coverage). See our methodology page.