Everyday
Flooring Calculator
Pick the right flooring with a 3-question quiz, then get box counts, waste allowance, and a full installed-cost estimate for any room.
How it works
Behind the numbers
Measure each room in feet and multiply length by width. For an L-shaped room, split it into rectangles and add the parts. Stairs count as tread plus riser per step. The calculator adds everything into one total.
Waste is where most estimates go wrong. Straight layouts need about 10% extra for cuts, diagonal layouts about 15%, and herringbone or chevron about 20%. The calculator applies your pattern's allowance, then divides by your box's coverage and rounds up, because you cannot buy half a box.
Cost is materials plus supplies plus labor. Material prices use 2026 installed-price midranges that you can edit; supplies cover underlayment, adhesive, grout, or fasteners; labor defaults to $4 per square foot and drops to zero for DIY. Dividing the total by the material's expected life gives a cost-per-year figure for comparing materials.
FAQ
Questions, answered
How much flooring do I need for a 12x12 room?
144 square feet, plus waste. With a 10% allowance for a straight layout that is about 159 square feet. Divide by your box's coverage and round up: at 20 square feet per box, you need 8 boxes.
How many boxes of flooring do I need?
Divide your total square footage, waste included, by the coverage printed on the box, then round up. Boxes are indivisible, so 7.2 boxes means buying 8. Keep the leftover: a spare box from the same dye lot is worth more than the money saved returning it.
What waste factor should I use for flooring?
Use 10% for a straight lay, 15% for diagonal, and 20% for herringbone or chevron patterns. Rooms with many corners, closets, or angled walls push toward the higher end even on straight layouts.
How do you measure a room for flooring?
Measure length and width in feet and multiply. For L-shaped or irregular rooms, divide the shape into rectangles, measure each, and add them up. Include closets and the area under appliances that you plan to floor.
What is the best flooring for kitchens and bathrooms?
Luxury vinyl plank and tile, because both are waterproof. Laminate is only water-resistant, and hardwood and carpet do not handle standing water well. The quiz above weighs this automatically.