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How the Flooring & Tile Calculator works
Enter the room's length and width (or two rectangles for an L-shaped room) and the calculator gives the floor area, the area to order with waste, and how many boxes of plank, laminate or vinyl flooring to buy. In tile mode it counts tiles instead, and boxes too if you enter how many tiles come in a box.
Area = length × width, in square feet; for an L-shape, add the two parts. Multiply by 1 + waste % to get the area to order. Boxes = that area ÷ the coverage printed on the box, rounded up. For tile, each tile covers its own size plus one grout joint each way, (length + joint) × (width + joint); the tile count is the order area ÷ that, rounded up.
Example: a 12' × 10' room with a 6' × 4' alcove is 120 + 24 = 144 sq ft. With 10% waste you order 144 × 1.10 = 158.4 sq ft; at 20 sq ft per box that is 158.4 ÷ 20 = 7.92, so 8 boxes. In 12" × 24" tile with a 1/8" joint, each tile covers 12 1/8" × 24 1/8" = 292.5 sq in; 158.4 sq ft is 22,809.6 sq in, and 22,809.6 ÷ 292.5 = 77.98, so 78 tiles, or 10 boxes of 8.
Measure at the widest points, wall to wall, and include closets and doorways the floor runs into. Use about 10% waste for a straight layout, 15% for diagonal and more for herringbone or bordered floors. Buy all the boxes from the same lot so the color matches, and keep a spare box for repairs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate square footage for flooring?
Multiply the room's length by its width in feet: a 12' × 10' room is 120 sq ft. Convert inches to a decimal first (10' 6" = 10.5'), or enter feet and inches directly in the calculator. For an L-shaped room, split it into two rectangles, work out each one and add them.
How much extra flooring should I buy?
Most flooring makers recommend about 10% extra for a straight layout and 15% for a diagonal one; herringbone, borders and rooms with many corners need more. The extra covers cut-offs at the walls and damaged pieces. Keep at least one leftover box for future repairs.
How many boxes of flooring do I need?
Multiply the floor area by 1 + waste (1.10 for 10%), divide by the square feet per box printed on the label, and round up. For 144 sq ft and 20 sq ft boxes: 144 × 1.10 = 158.4, and 158.4 ÷ 20 = 7.92, so buy 8 boxes. Coverage varies a lot between products, so always use the number on your box.
How many tiles do I need for a floor?
Divide the area to order (floor area plus waste) by the area one tile covers including its grout joint. A 12" × 24" tile with a 1/8" joint covers about 2.03 sq ft, so 158.4 sq ft takes 78 tiles. Large tiles leave bigger offcuts at the walls, so lean toward the higher end of the waste allowance.