Enter your measurements
Example data table
| Room | Length (ft) | Width (ft) | Area (sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living Room | 12 | 10 | 120.00 |
| Bedroom | 8 | 6 | 48.00 |
| Total | 168.00 | ||
Formula used
- Room area = length × width
- Total area = sum of all room areas
- Waste factor = 1 + (waste% ÷ 100)
- Area with waste = total area × waste factor
- Boxes needed = ceiling(area with waste ÷ box coverage)
- Estimated cost = boxes × price per box, or area × price per sq ft
How to use this calculator
- Select your measurement unit and enter each room’s length and width.
- Add a waste percentage for cuts, pattern matching, and repairs.
- Enter box coverage and a price per box or per square foot.
- Press Calculate to view totals above the form.
- Download CSV or PDF to share with suppliers and installers.
Accurate measurements today prevent costly flooring surprises tomorrow always.
Flooring takeoff guide
1) Why square footage matters
Flooring is usually ordered by coverage, so small measurement errors can create big shortages or overbuy. This calculator totals room-by-room area, then applies waste to reflect offcuts, pattern matching, and future repairs. It also estimates boxes and cost to support quick purchasing decisions.
2) Measure rooms consistently
Measure each room’s length and width to the nearest practical unit and keep the same unit across the project. For irregular spaces, split the room into simple rectangles, enter them as separate rooms, and sum the results. This approach mirrors how installers perform a takeoff on site.
3) Use a realistic waste allowance
Waste depends on material, layout, and patterns. Straight-lay planks may need around 5–10%, while diagonal layouts, herringbone, or highly patterned tiles can push 12–20%. The calculator allows 0–30% to cover most scenarios, and it shows both base area and area with waste for transparency.
4) Understand box coverage
Manufacturers list box coverage in square feet per carton. Enter that value to convert order area into boxes using a ceiling function, so you never under-order. If your supplier sells by case only, boxes are the practical ordering unit that aligns with inventory, delivery, and returns.
5) Conversions for metric projects
If you measure in meters, the calculator converts square meters to square feet using 1 m² = 10.7639 ft². This lets you compare products labeled in square feet without manual conversion. Keeping one reporting unit also makes it easier to reconcile quotes and invoices.
6) Pricing choices and quick budgets
Cost can be entered per square foot or per box. Per-box pricing is helpful when cartons have fixed promotional pricing, while per-square-foot pricing is common for estimating. The calculator uses per-box pricing when supplied, otherwise it multiplies area-with-waste by the per-square-foot rate.
7) Common field checks
Before ordering, confirm doorway transitions, closets, stair landings, and under-cabinet toe-kicks. These areas are often missed in fast sketches. If you plan a continuous run through multiple rooms, consider adding a little extra waste to protect against dye-lot changes and future patching needs.
8) Turn results into an order
After calculating, export CSV for your supplier list or PDF for client approvals. Include box count, waste percent, and coverage assumptions. When materials arrive, verify cartons match the expected coverage and run length, then store them flat and acclimate as recommended by the manufacturer.
FAQs
1) Should I include closets and hallways?
Yes. Add each space as its own room or rectangle. Small areas add up, and they also create more cuts, so including them improves both square footage and waste planning.
2) What waste percentage is typical?
Many straight installations use 5–10%. Diagonal layouts, complex patterns, or natural stone often need 12–20%. If you are unsure, start at 10% and adjust based on layout complexity.
3) Why does the calculator round boxes up?
Flooring is sold in full cartons, so you can’t buy a fraction of a box. Rounding up ensures your order meets or exceeds the required coverage after waste is applied.
4) Can I price by square foot and by box?
Yes. If you enter a price per box, the estimate uses boxes needed. If price per box is blank, it uses price per square foot. This matches how suppliers typically quote different products.
5) How do I handle L-shaped rooms?
Split the space into two rectangles, enter each as a separate room, then calculate. This is the same method used in takeoffs and reduces mistakes compared with guessing an average dimension.
6) Are results always shown in square feet?
Yes. Even if you input meters, the tool converts to square feet for ordering consistency. This helps when product labels and coverage are provided in square feet per box.
7) Does this replace a professional site measure?
It supports planning and budgeting, but site conditions matter. Confirm dimensions, transitions, and subfloor details before final orders, especially for large projects or patterned installations.