Laminate Flooring Calculator
Enter your room size and installation pattern — get boxes to buy instantly.
Last updated: April 12, 2026
Enter Room Dimensions
ft
ft
Quick:
Planks parallel to walls, least waste
Auto-set by pattern. Override for rooms with many corners.
Found on box side panel or bottom label (e.g., "20 sq ft coverage").
Results
10
boxes to buy
198 sq ft total (with 10% waste)
Room Area:180 sq ft
Base Flooring:180 sq ft
Extra for Waste:+18 sq ft
Box Coverage:20 sq ft/box
2026 Market Range (installed):
$540 - $2,160
Based on $3-$12/sq ft
Pattern vs Waste Guide
| Pattern | Waste | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (Straight) | 10% | Run planks parallel to longest wall |
| Diagonal (45°) | 15% | More edge cuts, angled look |
| Herringbone | 20% | Classic V-pattern, lots of short pieces |
Box Coverage Guide
Budget / thinner planks
18-20 sq ft
Most standard boxes
20-25 sq ft
Extra-long premium planks
25-30 sq ft
Look for the coverage number on the box — it's usually on the side panel or bottom. Longer planks mean more coverage per box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Just plug in your room's length and width, pick your pattern, and enter the coverage per box (it's printed on the carton). The calculator automatically adds the right waste percentage — 10% for straight, 15% for diagonal, 20% for herringbone — and tells you exactly how many boxes to grab at the store. Round up, not down.
Stick with 10% if you're doing a standard straight layout. Diagonal 45° needs 15% because you're making more angled cuts. Herringbone takes 20% — it looks great but you'll have a lot of short pieces. If your room has weird corners or built-ins, bump the waste up a bit.
You're looking at $3-12 per square foot installed in 2026. The material itself runs $1-5/sq ft depending on thickness and brand. Labor varies a lot by location — expect $2-8/sq ft. Get a couple quotes if you're hiring someone, prices swing pretty wide.
Most of the time, yes. Underlayment gives you moisture protection, cuts down noise, and makes the floor feel less hollow when you walk. Some laminate comes with an attached pad — that's fine on wood subfloors. But if you're installing over concrete, you absolutely need a vapor barrier underneath.
Break it into two rectangles — measure each separately, add them together, then apply your waste percentage to the total. Divide by the box coverage and you've got your number. Same approach works for rooms with alcoves or bump-outs.