# Free online flooring calculator

> Flooring is sold by the square foot or by the box, and you always need extra for cuts and waste. This calculator gives you the total area to order and — if you enter box coverage.

Calculate how much flooring to buy for any room. Enter room dimensions and a waste percentage to get total square footage, square yards, and an optional box count for packaged flooring products.

**Interactive version:** https://onlinecalculator.me/construction/flooring/
**Category:** Construction

## How to use

1. Enter the room length and width in feet.
2. Set the waste percentage (10% default; increase for diagonal or pattern installs).
3. Optionally enter how many square feet one box covers to get a box count.
4. Read room area, total area with waste, and square yards in the results.

## Formula

```
room area   = length × width
total area  = room area × (1 + waste% ÷ 100)
square yards = total area ÷ 9
boxes       = ceil(total area ÷ box coverage)   [if box coverage entered]
```

## Worked example

Living room: 15 ft × 18 ft, 10% waste, 20 sq ft per box laminate:

```
room area   = 15 × 18            = 270 sq ft
total area  = 270 × 1.10         = 297 sq ft
square yards = 297 ÷ 9           = 33 yd²
boxes       = ceil(297 ÷ 20)     = 15 boxes
```

Order 15 boxes. If boxes are $45 each, budget $675 before tax.

## Notes

- Always buy from the same production run (dye lot) to avoid color differences between boxes.
- Keep leftover planks from the install for future repairs — the color may not match new stock years later.
- For stairs, measure the tread and riser area separately; nosings add to the linear foot requirement.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much extra flooring should I order for waste?

10% is the standard rule for straight-lay hardwood or laminate. Add 15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns, which create more offcuts. Tile installers typically add 10–15% as well. Budget flooring with lots of pattern matching can need up to 20%.

### What is square yards, and why do I need it?

Carpet is still quoted by the square yard in most of North America. One square yard equals 9 square feet. Enter your room dimensions and read the sq yd result directly — no separate conversion needed.

### How does the box count work?

Enter the square footage that one box covers (printed on the box label) in the optional field. The calculator divides total area (with waste) by that coverage and rounds up to a whole number of boxes.

### Should I include closets in my measurement?

Yes — closets need the same flooring as the main room. Measure each area separately, total them, and enter the combined square footage, or use multiple measurements and add them yourself.

### Can I use this for multiple rooms?

Run the calculator once per room, then add the box counts together before ordering. Buying all material from the same dye lot avoids color variation between rooms.

## Sources

- [Flooring (floor coverings and materials)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flooring) — Wikipedia
- [Area (of a rectangle)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area) — Wikipedia

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