Free Flooring Calculator

Always add 10% to your total square footage to account for cuts, waste, and future repairs. Our flooring calculator, also known as a square foot calculator for flooring, simplifies the process of estimating the total surface area and cost of your flooring project. Whether you're renovating a single room, an entire house, or multiple floors, this tool ensures accurate calculations to help you stay within budget.

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To calculate the total surface area and cost of flooring based on the dimensions of up to five different areas, and the cost per square foot of your flooring material, you can use the following steps:

Step 1: Calculate the total surface area

1. Measure the Length and Width of each area: Use a measuring tape to get the length and width of each area in feet.
2. Calculate the Area of each space: Multiply the length by the width for each area to get the square footage.
   Area (sq ft) = Length (ft) x Width (ft)
3. Sum the Areas of all spaces: Add the square footage of all areas to get the total surface area.
   Total Surface Area (sq ft) = Area1 + Area2 + Area3 + Area4 + Area5

Step 2: Calculate the total cost

4. Determine the Cost per Square Foot: Find out the cost per square foot of your chosen flooring material.
5. Calculate the Total Cost: Multiply the total surface area by the cost per square foot.
   Total Cost ($) = Total Surface Area (sq ft) x Cost per Square Foot ($/sq ft)

Here's an example:

Let's say you have the following measurements for five different areas:

• Area 1: 12 ft (length) x 10 ft (width) = 120 sq ft
• Area 2: 15 ft (length) x 12 ft (width) = 180 sq ft
• Area 3: 10 ft (length) x 9 ft (width) = 90 sq ft
• Area 4: 14 ft (length) x 10 ft (width) = 140 sq ft
• Area 5: 8 ft (length) x 7 ft (width) = 56 sq ft

Total Surface Area = 120 + 180 + 90 + 140 + 56 = 586 sq ft

If the cost of your flooring material is $3 per square foot, the total cost calculation would be:

Total Cost = 586 sq ft x $3/sq ft = $1,758

Buffer for Waste

It's important to account for waste due to cutting and fitting. Typically, a buffer of 10% is reasonable.

Total Surface Area with Buffer = 586 sq ft x 1.10 = 644.6 sq ft Total Cost with Buffer = 644.6 sq ft x $3/sq ft = $1,933.80

So, in this example, you would need 644.6 square feet of flooring material, costing approximately $1,933.80.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much flooring do I need for a 12x12 room?
A 12x12 room is 144 square feet. Add 10% for waste and cuts so plan to purchase approximately 158 square feet of flooring material.

What is the best flooring for a contractor to install?
Luxury vinyl plank is the most popular choice for contractors due to its durability, moisture resistance, and easy installation. Hardwood and laminate are also common depending on client budget and preference.

How do I calculate how much flooring I need?
Measure the length and width of the room in feet and multiply to get the square footage. Add 10% for cuts and waste on straight installs and 15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns.

What is the difference between laminate and vinyl flooring?
Laminate is made from compressed wood with a photographic layer on top and is not waterproof. Vinyl is made from PVC plastic and is fully waterproof making it better for bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

How much does it cost to install flooring per square foot?
Flooring installation costs vary by material. Luxury vinyl plank runs approximately 2 to 5 dollars per square foot installed. Hardwood runs 6 to 12 dollars per square foot and tile runs 5 to 10 dollars per square foot installed.

How long does it take to install flooring in an average room?
An experienced flooring installer can complete an average bedroom of 150 square feet in 3 to 5 hours. Larger rooms and complex patterns take proportionally longer.