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Flooring & Tile Calculator

Square footage, boxes to buy and material cost for tile, laminate, vinyl plank or hardwood.

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Flooring to buy

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Buy all your boxes from the same lot number

Tile and plank flooring are made in batches, and shade can shift between lots. Check that every carton shows the same lot or run number before you leave the store, and mix planks from several open boxes as you install so any slight variation spreads out.

How to figure flooring and tile quantities

Floor area for a rectangular room is simply length × width. For an L-shaped room, split it into rectangles and add them, or enter the smaller piece in the extra-area box. Closets and alcoves that get the same flooring belong in the total.

The calculator then adds a waste allowance based on the layout: boxes = area × (1 + waste %) ÷ sq ft per box, rounded up. Tile and plank manufacturers and the Tile Council of North America's installation guidance commonly call for about 10% on straight layouts and 15% or more on diagonal and herringbone patterns, where every edge piece is an angled cut.

Always use the coverage printed on the carton, since box sizes vary widely between products. Keep one unopened box after the job. Dye lots and styles change, and a matching box for a future repair can be impossible to find later.

Where these numbers come from

The formulas and default values in this calculator are based on:

  • manufacturer installation guides for tile, laminate and luxury vinyl plank
  • Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook guidance on layout and cutting waste

These are planning estimates. Check product labels, your local building code, and a licensed contractor before you buy materials or build.

Frequently asked questions

Why do diagonal and herringbone layouts need more flooring?

Every piece that meets a wall on a diagonal gets cut at an angle, and the offcuts are rarely usable elsewhere. Herringbone also needs precise lengths. That is why the waste allowance jumps from about 10% to 15% or more.

Should I include the area under cabinets or appliances?

Floating floors like laminate and vinyl plank normally stop at cabinets, so leave that area out. Some installers tile under a refrigerator or range so the appliance sits level with the new floor; include that space if you plan to.

What if my room isn't a perfect rectangle?

Break it into rectangles, work out each one, and add them together. Use the extra-area box for the smaller pieces. The waste allowance covers the odd cuts that irregular rooms create.

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