Flooring Calculator — Hardwood, LVP, Laminate & Carpet Estimator
Calculate the exact square footage, boxes, underlayment, and trim needed for hardwood, LVP/LVT, laminate, or carpet installation in any room.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your room length and width in feet
- Select your flooring type
- Choose installation direction — diagonal adds 15% extra waste
- Enter the number of doorways for transition strip estimates
- Click "Calculate Flooring" for boxes, underlayment, and trim quantities
How the Calculation Works
room_area = length × width
total_sqft = room_area × (1 + waste_factor)
// Diagonal adds 15% to waste
boxes = ceil(total_sqft / sqft_per_box)
// Typical sqft per box: hardwood 20-25 | LVP 20-24 | laminate 20-25 | carpet sold by sqyd
underlayment_rolls = ceil(room_area / 100) // if needed for flooring type
quarter_round_lf = room_perimeter // (2 × length) + (2 × width) Room area is calculated from length × width. Add the waste factor (10% minimum for straight lay, 15–20% for diagonal). Boxes are calculated based on approximate square footage per carton for each flooring type. Quarter round shoe molding covers the expansion gap around the perimeter.
Variables:
- room_area: Room area in square feet (length × width)
- total_sqft: Area with waste factor added for cuts and breakage
- boxes: Number of cartons/boxes to purchase
- underlayment_rolls: Rolls of underlayment if required for flooring type
- quarter_round_lf: Linear feet of quarter round to cover expansion gap at walls
Pro Tips
- Acclimate wood and laminate flooring for 48–72 hours in the room before installation
- Diagonal installation adds 15% waste from angled cuts — account for this in your order
- Leave a 1/4" expansion gap around all walls and fixed objects — cover with quarter round molding
- For LVP over concrete, test for moisture first — high moisture requires a vapor barrier
- Order at least 10% extra and keep leftover boxes for future repairs — dye lots change over time
Recommended Products
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install hardwood floors?
Solid hardwood material: $3–$10 per sqft. Engineered hardwood: $2–$7 per sqft. Installation labor: $3–$6 per sqft. Total installed cost is typically $6–$16 per sqft depending on species, grade, and region.
What is the difference between LVP and laminate flooring?
LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) is 100% waterproof — can go in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Laminate has a wood fiber core that swells when wet and should not be used in moisture-prone areas. Both float with similar click-lock installation.
Do I need underlayment for LVP flooring?
Many LVP products have a pre-attached underlayment. If yours does not, add a thin foam or cork underlayment. Never double up underlayment on click-lock floors — it makes the locking system unstable. Check manufacturer instructions.
How much extra flooring should I order?
Order 10% extra for straight installation, 15% for diagonal, 20% for herringbone. Always keep a few extra boxes from the same lot for future repairs — color matching across different production runs can be difficult.
How long does it take to install flooring in a room?
A typical 200 sqft room takes an experienced DIYer 4–8 hours to install click-lock flooring. Add time for furniture moving, subfloor preparation, and trim work. Professional installers typically do 300–500 sqft per day.