How to Calculate Flooring for Your Project

Accurately estimating the amount of flooring you need is the first step to a successful project. It helps you budget correctly and ensures you don't run out of material mid-installation. Our calculator simplifies this, but here's how to do it yourself.

1. Calculate the Room's Area

Measure the length and width of your room in feet. Multiply these two numbers to get the square footage of the area you need to cover. For example, a room that is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide has an area of 12 * 10 = 120 square feet.

2. Account for Waste

It's crucial to add a "waste factor" to your total area. This extra material accounts for cuts, mistakes, and oddly shaped areas. A standard waste factor is 10%, but for complex layouts with many cuts, you might increase this to 15-20%.

3. Calculate the Total Amount Needed

To find the total amount of flooring to purchase, multiply your room's area by your waste factor percentage (as a decimal). For a 120 sq ft room with a 10% waste factor, the calculation would be 120 * 1.10 = 132 square feet. This is the total amount of flooring you should buy.

Our calculator does all these steps for you, giving you a quick and reliable estimate to take to the hardware store. Always round up to the next full box or case when purchasing your materials.