Area first, then waste, then boxes
Flooring is sold by the box, but you think in rooms. Measure length and width, get square metres, add waste for cuts and pattern, then divide by the m² printed on the carton. Always round boxes up.
Canadian suppliers label cartons in m² or sq ft. If the box is only in square feet, divide by 10.764 to get m² for this tool.
How much waste should you add?
Straight-lay plank and large-format tile in a simple rectangle often need about 8–10% waste. Diagonal tile, herringbone, small rooms with many cuts, and busy layouts often need 12–15% or more. Stairs and hallways waste more than open rectangles.
Never order exact area with zero waste. A single damaged plank can stop the job if stock is discontinued.
Tile, LVP, laminate, hardwood
The math is the same for most sheet goods and tile: area × (1 + waste) ÷ box coverage. Grout, underlayment, and transitions are separate line items on your quote. Use TradeInvoice quotes to price labour and extras after you lock material counts.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this flooring calculator free?
- Yes. Calculate, print, and share free. Save to Docs with a free account.
- Metric or imperial?
- Either. Results show m² and sq ft. Box coverage is entered in m².
- What if the room is not a rectangle?
- Split into rectangles, run the tool for each, and add the order areas. Or use the largest simple rectangle and raise waste.
More free tools
- Concrete calculator — m³, yards & bags for slabs, footings, and columns
- Basement excavation calculator — Soil volume for basement digs — m³, yards, spoil swell for Canada
- Basement waterproofing calculator — Membrane / coating area for foundation walls — rolls, waste, Canada
- Weeping tile calculator — Perimeter drain length, pipe sticks, fittings — Canadian basements
- Free quote generator for labour and materials with Canadian tax
- Free invoice generator
- All free tools
- Free
- Waste built in
- Box count
- Print & save