How to Use the Flooring Calculator

Measure the length and width of each room that needs new flooring. Enter those dimensions into the calculator and add additional rooms where required.

You can then enter a wastage allowance and the coverage stated on your flooring pack.

The calculator estimates:

• Total floor area in square metres;
• Flooring required after wastage;
• Number of flooring packs required;
• Approximate number of boards or tiles;
• Estimated material cost; and
• A room-by-room area breakdown.

How Do You Calculate Flooring Area?

For a rectangular or square room, multiply the length by the width.

For example, a room measuring 5 metres long and 4 metres wide has an area of:

Flooring Calculator Example

How Much Extra Flooring Should I Buy?

It is usually sensible to buy more flooring than the exact measured floor area because installation creates offcuts and waste.

Common allowances include:

• 5% for straightforward rooms with simple layouts;
• 10% for many standard flooring projects;
• 10–15% for more complex room shapes or installation patterns; and
• potentially more for diagonal, herringbone or other waste-intensive layouts.

Always check the flooring manufacturer’s installation guidance.

Flooring Wastage Formula

How to Calculate Flooring for Multiple Rooms

Measure each room separately, calculate the area of each room and then add the areas together.

The interactive calculator above lets you add multiple rooms and automatically combines them.

How Many Flooring Packs Do I Need?

Flooring products such as laminate, hybrid flooring and engineered timber are often sold in packs that cover a specified number of square metres.

The basic calculation is:

The result must be rounded up because you generally cannot purchase a fraction of a sealed flooring pack.

For example:

If you need 24.2 m² of flooring and each pack covers 2.2 m²:

24.2 ÷ 2.2 = 11 packs

How to Calculate Flooring Cost

If your flooring is sold by the pack:

For example, if you need 12 packs at $75 per pack:

12 × $75 = $900

How Many Floorboards Do I Need?

If you know the dimensions of an individual floorboard, the calculator can estimate the approximate number of boards required.

For a board measuring 1200 mm × 190 mm:

If the flooring requirement is 24 m²:

24 ÷ 0.228 ≈ 106 boards

Actual packs may contain a fixed quantity of boards, so pack coverage should normally be used when ordering packaged flooring.

Can I Use This Calculator for Laminate Flooring?

Yes. Enter your room dimensions, the laminate pack coverage and the price per pack if you want a cost estimate.

Can I Use It for Hybrid Flooring?

Yes. Hybrid flooring is commonly sold by square-metre coverage per pack, which works well with this calculator.

Can I Use It for Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Yes. Enter the manufacturer’s stated pack coverage for your vinyl planks. You can also enter the dimensions of an individual plank if you want an estimated plank count.

Can I Use It for Timber Flooring?

Yes. The calculator can estimate square metres, packs and boards for engineered or timber flooring where suitable product dimensions are available.

Can I Use This as a Tile Flooring Calculator?

Yes. Enter the tile dimensions in the board or tile section.

For example, a 600 mm × 600 mm tile covers:

The calculator can then estimate the approximate number of tiles required.

How to Measure an L-Shaped Room

Instead of trying to calculate the entire irregular shape in one measurement, divide the room into smaller rectangles.

For example:

• Rectangle A = 4 m × 3 m = 12 m²;
• Rectangle B = 2 m × 2 m = 4 m²;
• Total = 16 m².

With this calculator, simply add each rectangular section as a separate room.

Should I Include Built-In Wardrobes?

It depends on whether the new flooring will be installed inside the wardrobe.

If flooring will continue through the wardrobe, include that floor area. If the wardrobe floor will not be replaced, exclude it from your measurement.

Should I Deduct Kitchen Cabinets?

This depends on the flooring system and renovation plan. Some floors are installed around fixed cabinetry, while others may be installed before cabinets.

Measure the actual area that will receive flooring whenever possible.

Does This Calculator Include Installation Cost?

No. The cost calculation estimates flooring material based on the entered pack price.

Additional costs can include:

• Professional installation;
• Floor preparation;
• Removal of existing flooring;
• Underlay;
• Moisture barriers;
• Skirting;
• Trims and transitions;
• Adhesive;
• Levelling compound; and
• Delivery.

Flooring Measurement Tips

For a more reliable estimate:

• Measure each room at its longest and widest points;
• Measure unusual sections separately;
• Double-check dimensions before ordering;
• Use the actual pack coverage shown on the product;
• Add an appropriate wastage allowance;
• Consider installation pattern;
• Keep spare material for future repairs where practical; and
• Confirm final quantities with your supplier or installer.

Flooring Calculator Assumptions

This calculator assumes:

• Each entered section is rectangular;
• Room dimensions are measured accurately;
• Wastage is applied to the combined measured area;
• Pack coverage is entered in square metres;
• Pack quantities are rounded up to whole packs;
• Individual board or tile quantities are rounded up;
• The price entered is the price of one complete pack;
• No labour cost is included;
• No underlay or accessories are included; and
• The result is an estimate for planning purposes.

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