Laminate Flooring Calculator
Find how many boxes of laminate or vinyl plank flooring you need for one room or several, from the box coverage or the plank size, with waste by layout, underlayment rolls, trim and transitions, a row-by-row plank layout check and the total cost.
How it works
Area = Σ(length × width) + extra − left-out · with waste = area × (1 + waste% + layout%) · boxes = ⌈area with waste ÷ coverage per box⌉ (coverage = planks per box × plank length × width) · underlayment rolls = ⌈area × 1.05 ÷ roll coverage⌉ · trim = perimeter − 3 ft per doorway, in 8 ft pieces with 10% extra · cost = flooring bought + underlayment + trim + labor
Add up the floor area of every room — the several-rooms mode takes one length × width (or a plain area) per line — then add a waste allowance for the cut ends and damaged planks you can’t reuse. Ten percent is standard for planks laid parallel to a wall; a diagonal layout adds about 5% more and herringbone or chevron about 10% more, because far more planks are cut. Divide by the coverage printed on the box, or let the calculator work it out from the plank size and the number of planks per box, and round up to whole boxes. Floating floors also need underlayment (unless the planks have a pad attached), quarter round or baseboard to hide the expansion gap at the walls, and a transition strip at each doorway, so those are counted too, and everything can be priced. With the plank size and room dimensions the layout table shows how many rows fit across the room and how wide the last row is, so you can avoid a thin sliver against the wall.
Worked example
A 15 × 12 ft room is 180 sq ft. With 10% waste that is 198 sq ft, and at 20 sq ft per box you need 198 ÷ 20 = 9.9 → 10 boxes, which buys 200 sq ft. Underlayment: 180 × 1.05 = 189 sq ft, so 2 rolls of 100 sq ft. Trim: the 54 ft perimeter less 3 ft for one doorway is 51 ft; with 10% extra for corner cuts that is 56.1 ft, or 8 pieces of 8 ft, plus one transition strip. At $2.50 per sq ft the flooring costs 200 × $2.50 = $500, and two $30 rolls bring the total to $560. Laid in herringbone the waste rises to 20%: 216 sq ft, 11 boxes.
Sources: NALFA: North American Laminate Flooring Association installation guidance
Frequently asked questions
How much waste should I allow for laminate?
About 10% for planks laid parallel to a wall, 15% for a diagonal layout and 20% for herringbone or chevron. Add a few percent more for rooms with many corners, closets or pipes, and if you are new to cutting laminate.
How do I measure several rooms or an L-shaped room?
Split the floor into rectangles and choose “Several rooms”: type one per line as length x width (for example “Kitchen 12 x 10”), or just an area. The calculator adds them up and lists each room with its area and perimeter. Closets can go on their own line or under “Add area”.
Do I need underlayment under laminate?
Floating laminate needs a foam or felt underlayment unless the planks have one attached, and on concrete you also need a vapor barrier (often built into the underlayment). Rolls usually cover 100 sq ft; allow about 5% extra for overlaps at the seams.
How wide should the last row be?
Most manufacturers ask for a last row of at least about 2 inches (5 cm). If the layout table shows a sliver, rip both the first and the last rows to equal widths so the room looks balanced and the narrow pieces stay locked in.
Should I keep spare planks?
Yes — keep a few, ideally a full box, from the same lot for future repairs, since colours and patterns change between production runs and products are discontinued.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.