PlanMyBuild

Flooring Calculator

Calculate how many planks, tiles, and boxes of flooring you need for a room — laminate, vinyl, hardwood, or tile.

How to measure a room for flooring

Measure the length and width of the room, and the length and width of a single plank or tile — both are usually printed on the box, or you can measure a sample piece directly.

Add a waste allowance to cover cuts and offcuts — 10% is a reasonable default for a simple rectangular room; increase it for diagonal layouts or rooms with lots of corners.

Frequently asked questions

How much flooring do I need?

Multiply the room's length and width to get the floor area, then add a waste allowance for cuts and offcuts. Divide that by the area of a single plank or tile to get the pieces needed, and divide again by pieces per box to get boxes needed.

How much waste allowance should I use for flooring?

10% is standard for a straightforward rectangular room laid in the same direction as the boards. Increase it to 15% or more for diagonal layouts, herringbone patterns, or rooms with lots of corners and alcoves.

Where do I find pieces per box?

It's printed on the box, usually alongside the total area the box covers (e.g. "8 planks, 1.92 m² per box"). Enter that number so the calculator can work out how many boxes to buy.

Should I round up to a full box?

Yes — this calculator always rounds up to whole pieces and whole boxes, since you can't buy a partial box, and it's worth having a little extra on hand for future repairs.

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