Construction
Flooring & Tile Calculator
Enter your room dimensions and the coverage per box to estimate the square footage, the number of boxes of flooring or tile to buy including waste, and an optional material cost.
Quick answer: Buy your room's square footage plus 10% waste (15–20% for diagonal or herringbone), then divide by the coverage per box and round up.
- Room area180 sq ft
- With 10% waste198 sq ft
- Coverage purchased200 sq ft
- Estimated material cost$700
Buy all boxes from the same lot number for consistent color, and keep a spare box for future repairs. Measure odd-shaped rooms in rectangles and total them before adding waste.
How it works
1. Measure the room area
Measure each room's length and width and multiply for square footage; break irregular spaces into rectangles and add them up. This is the bare area you need to cover. Measure closets and alcoves you plan to floor as well.
2. Add a waste allowance
Add about 10% for cuts and mistakes on a standard straight layout, and 15% to 20% for diagonal, herringbone, or highly patterned installs. Waste covers trim cuts, defective planks, and future repairs. Buying a little extra from the same lot avoids dye-lot mismatches later.
3. Convert to boxes
Divide your area-plus-waste by the square footage each box covers, then round up to whole boxes. Coverage per box is printed on the flooring's packaging and varies by product. The calculator does this math so you order the right number of boxes the first time.
Frequently asked questions
How much flooring waste should I add?
Plan 10% for straight-lay floors, and 15–20% for diagonal or herringbone patterns, busy room shapes, or large-format tile. The calculator lets you set the percentage.
How many boxes of flooring do I need?
Divide the total area (plus waste) by the square footage each box covers, then round up. Always buy from the same lot number for consistent color.
Should I measure each room separately?
Yes — measure and total each room individually, then add waste once. Odd-shaped rooms should be broken into rectangles and summed.