Formula
How the flooring estimate works
- Room area = room length × room width
- Target coverage = room area × (1 + waste %)
- Full boxes = target coverage ÷ coverage per box, rounded up
Free project planning tool
Flooring calculator
Plan room coverage, waste, complete flooring boxes, actual purchased coverage, and box cost.
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Boards & boxesInstant estimate
Example calculation
A 16 × 12 ft room is 192 sq ft. With 10% waste and 23.5 sq ft per box, the purchase quantity rounds up to nine boxes, covering 211.5 sq ft.
Planning tips
- Use the coverage printed on the box, not the board dimensions alone.
- Add more waste for angled rooms, herringbone patterns, or many doorways.
- The cost result uses full boxes so it matches a realistic purchase.
Common questions
Flooring calculator FAQ
How much flooring waste should I allow?
Ten percent is a practical default for simple rooms. Complex patterns and irregular layouts commonly require more.
Does the calculator round to full boxes?
Yes. Both the box count and material cost use complete boxes, which prevents a low theoretical cost estimate.
Should I include closets?
Include every area that will receive the same flooring. Measure separate rectangles and add their areas before entering the total dimensions or calculate them separately.