Home & Construction

Flooring Calculator

Estimate square footage and boxes of flooring for a rectangular room with waste allowance.

Planning estimate only. Confirm supplier quantities, local code requirements, and field measurements before ordering or construction.
Reviewed September 6, 2026Runs in your browser

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How this calculator works

Required flooring = room area × (1 + waste). Boxes = ceiling(required flooring ÷ box coverage).

Worked example

An 18 × 14 ft room with 10% waste needs about 278 sq ft, or 14 boxes at 20 sq ft each.

Sources & assumptions

Room area is multiplied by the selected waste allowance and divided by the visitor-entered box coverage. Pattern, board width, room shape, matching lots, and product instructions can require more material.

Frequently asked questions

How much waste should I add?

Ten percent is common for straightforward layouts. Diagonal patterns or complex rooms can require more.

Should closets be included?

Yes, if they will receive the same flooring.

Flooring ordering guide

See room-shape measurements, waste scenarios, and whole-carton examples in How much flooring do I need?

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