Hardwood Floor Calculator
Calculate how much hardwood flooring you need for any room. Choose your wood species, get accurate box counts, waste estimates, and cost breakdowns.
Last updated: January 11, 2026
Enter Your Measurements
ft
ft
Quick:
Most popular choice, durable and versatileJanka 1290
Popular width, good balance
Some color variation, few knots
Best for solid hardwood over wood subfloor
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Results
198
sq ft needed
Room Area:180 sq ft
Base Flooring:180 sq ft
Extra for Waste:+18 sq ft
Boxes Needed:10 boxes (20 sq ft/box)
2026 Market Range (installed):
$1,440 - $3,600
Based on $8-$20/sq ft
Calculation Steps
Room Area: 12 × 15 ft= 180 sq ft
Base Flooring: 180 sq ft= 180 sq ft
+ 10% Waste: 180 × 1.1= 198 sq ft
Boxes Needed: 198 ÷ 20= 10 boxes
Privacy First - All calculations in your browser Expert-verified formula
How to Use This Calculator
- Measure your room — Get the length and width with a tape measure. For L-shaped rooms, break them into rectangles and calculate each separately.
- Choose your wood species — Oak is the most popular and affordable. Hickory is the hardest. Walnut is premium but softer.
- Select plank width — Wider planks (4-5") show more grain and look modern. Narrower strips (2-1/4") are traditional and hide subfloor imperfections.
- Pick your grade — Select grade has minimal knots. Rustic grade has more character marks and costs less.
- Enter box coverage — Check your flooring packaging. Most boxes cover 18-24 sq ft.
How We Calculate
Boxes Needed = (Length × Width × (1 + Waste%)) ÷ Box Coverage
Example Calculation:
- • Room: 12 ft × 15 ft = 180 sq ft
- • Waste factor: 10% (nail-down installation)
- • With waste: 180 × 1.1 = 198 sq ft
- • Box coverage: 20 sq ft/box
- • Boxes needed: 198 ÷ 20 = 10 boxes
Based on NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) installation guidelines. Learn more →