Flooring Calculator
Calculate how much flooring material you need for tile, hardwood, laminate, carpet, or vinyl. Get results in square feet, square meters, exact tile count, boxes needed, and cost estimates. Includes customizable waste factor for professional results.
How It Works
1. Select Room Shape
Choose between Rectangle for simple rooms or L-Shaped for rooms with extensions or alcoves. L-shaped option lets you add two sections together.
2. Choose Flooring Type
Select from Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, Carpet, or Vinyl. For tiles, you can enter tile dimensions to calculate exact tile count and boxes needed.
3. Enter Room Dimensions
Input length and width in feet or meters. For L-shaped rooms, enter dimensions for both sections. The calculator automatically adds them together.
4. Set Waste Factor
Default 10% covers cuts and mistakes. Use 15% for diagonal tile patterns. Add price per unit to get total cost estimate.
Examples
Example 1: Tile Floor (Bathroom)
Room Shape: Rectangle Flooring Type: Tile Length: 8 feet Width: 6 feet Tile Size: 12" × 12" Tiles Per Box: 12 Waste Factor: 10% Price: $25/box Results: Total Area: 48 sq ft (4.46 m²) With Waste: 52.8 sq ft (4.90 m²) Tiles Needed: 53 tiles Boxes Needed: 5 boxes Estimated Cost: $125 A small bathroom using standard 12×12 inch tiles. Need 5 boxes total with some left over for future repairs.
Example 2: Hardwood Floor (Living Room)
Room Shape: L-Shaped Flooring Type: Hardwood Main Section: 16' × 12' Additional Section: 8' × 6' Waste Factor: 10% Price: $4.50/sq ft Results: Total Area: 240 sq ft (22.30 m²) With Waste: 264 sq ft (24.53 m²) Estimated Cost: $1,188 L-shaped living/dining room. Order 264 square feet of hardwood to account for waste during installation.
Example 3: Laminate Flooring (Bedroom)
Room Shape: Rectangle Flooring Type: Laminate Length: 12 feet Width: 10 feet Waste Factor: 10% Price: $2.25/sq ft Results: Total Area: 120 sq ft (11.15 m²) With Waste: 132 sq ft (12.26 m²) Estimated Cost: $297 Standard bedroom with laminate flooring. Need 132 square feet including waste factor for cuts around closets and doorways.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I measure a room for flooring?
Measure the length and width at the widest points in feet. For rectangular rooms, multiply length × width to get square footage. For L-shaped or irregular rooms, break the space into rectangles, calculate each area separately, then add them together. Always measure twice and add a waste factor for cuts and mistakes.
What waste factor should I use?
Use 5-10% waste factor for most flooring installations with straight patterns. Use 10-15% for diagonal tile patterns or complex room shapes. Use 15-20% for herringbone or chevron patterns. The waste factor accounts for cuts around obstacles, doorways, mistakes, and future repairs. It is better to have extra material than to run short.
How do I calculate tiles needed?
Calculate the room area in square feet, then divide by the area of one tile in square feet. For example, a 12"×12" tile is 1 square foot (12×12=144 square inches ÷ 144 = 1 sq ft). A 100 sq ft room needs 100 tiles, plus waste factor. Round up and add 10-15% extra. If tiles come in boxes, divide total tiles by tiles per box and round up.
Can I use this calculator for irregular shaped rooms?
For L-shaped rooms, use the L-Shaped option and enter both sections. For more complex shapes, break the room into multiple rectangles, calculate each separately, then add the results together. Alternatively, calculate the total area and subtract areas that will not be covered (like built-in cabinets or islands).
Should I buy extra flooring material?
Yes, always buy 10-15% more than calculated. This covers waste from cuts, installation mistakes, and damaged pieces. For tiles, buy extra boxes for future repairs since colors vary between production batches and styles get discontinued. For hardwood and laminate, keep leftover planks for repairs. Most stores accept returns of unopened boxes.