Flooring Calculator
Estimate the flooring area including waste and convert it into whole boxes using the coverage printed on the flooring package.
Start with the essentials
Measure the room first. Waste and carton coverage can be adjusted to match the product you plan to buy.
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Check the method or common questions
Method, formula & assumptions
Floor and tile estimating
Formula: Finished area = length × width. The selected waste percentage is added before dividing by the coverage printed on each box to determine whole packages to buy.
Worked example: Example: a 200 ft² room with 10% waste requires 220 ft² of planned coverage before rounding up to whole boxes.
Before you buy: Pattern, room shape, plank or tile size, breakage and matching requirements affect waste. Complex layouts generally need a larger allowance than simple rectangular rooms.
Flooring Calculator FAQ
Why does BuildGauge round boxes up?
You cannot normally purchase a fraction of a sealed flooring or tile box, so package counts are rounded to the next whole box.
What waste percentage should I use?
It depends on the product and layout. Use the project or manufacturer recommendation when available, especially for diagonal or patterned installations.
Continue your Flooring & Tile project
Use the Flooring & Tile planning hub for related calculators and quick-reference guides.
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