How to Calculate Flooring
Whether you are installing hardwood, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), or ceramic tile, you must purchase flooring by the square foot. However, suppliers package these materials in fixed boxes (cartons), meaning you almost always have to buy slightly more than your exact measurements.
1. Calculate the Net Square Footage
Measure the longest length of the room and the widest width. Multiply these two numbers together. If your room is an L-shape, divide it into two rectangles, measure them separately, and add the square footage together.
2. Add the Waste Factor (Overage)
You can rarely use 100% of the flooring you buy. Boards will need to be cut to fit against walls, and mistakes happen. The US construction industry adheres to strict waste factors based on the layout of the room:
- 5% Waste Factor: Suitable for very simple, perfectly square rooms with no closets, pillars, or floor vents.
- 10% Waste Factor: The industry standard. Covers normal cuts, a closet or two, and a few mistakes.
- 15% Waste Factor: Required if you are laying flooring on a 45-degree diagonal, if the room has multiple bay windows, angled walls, or a complex layout.
Once you add your percentage to your net area, divide by the square footage listed on the flooring box to determine your final order quantity.