Flooring calculator: compare products for the same rooms
Add your rooms once, then enter up to 3 floors you are considering. See how many boxes each one needs, what is left over and which one really costs less once boxes and underlayment are counted.
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Assumptions
- Boxes are rounded up once for the whole job, not once per room.
- Underlayment adds 5% for seam overlap and is skipped for products with an attached pad.
- Prices are what you type. Taxes, delivery, trim and labor are not included.
Why compare more than one floor?
Two floors can look the same price per square foot and still cost different amounts for your rooms. Flooring is sold in whole boxes, and every product's box covers a different area. A box that covers 23.4 sq ft can leave you with more or fewer unused planks than one that covers 20 sq ft, depending on your total. Some vinyl planks also come with the pad attached, which removes the cost of separate underlayment.
This planner works out every option for the same rooms and the same waste allowance, so the totals are directly comparable.
How to measure your rooms
- Measure the length and width of each room, wall to wall.
- Split L-shaped or irregular rooms into rectangles and add each one as a room.
- Subtract areas that will not get flooring, like a kitchen island.
- Include closets and hallways that will get the same floor.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes of flooring do I need?
Add up the area of every room, add a waste allowance (about 10% for straight planks), divide by the coverage printed on the box and round up to whole boxes. Round up once for the whole job, not once per room.
Why can two floors with a similar price per square foot cost different amounts?
Flooring is sold in whole boxes and each product's box covers a different area, so one product can leave more unused flooring than another for the same rooms. Some floors also come with the pad attached, which removes the cost of separate underlayment.
How much waste should I add for flooring?
A common starting point is about 10% for straight installations, 15% for diagonal layouts and 20% for herringbone. Rooms with many corners, closets or doorways can need more. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Should I buy an extra box of flooring?
Many installers keep one sealed box for future repairs, because matching the same color lot later can be hard. Buy every box from the same lot number.