Laminate Flooring Calculator
Work out how many laminate planks and boxes a room needs — plus the underlay to go beneath them — with a cutting allowance and an optional cost estimate.
Laminate is the most forgiving flooring to estimate: planks click together, offcuts start the next row, and the box tells you its coverage. This calculator still adds the full 10% allowance, because end cuts and damaged planks are unavoidable.
It also covers underlay — the layer most first-time buyers forget — so the shopping list is complete in one place.
Your results
Enter your measurements and press Calculate.
Quantities are rounded up to whole tiles, planks, boxes or bags, after the wastage allowance. Cost appears only when you enter a price.
Formula
All lengths are converted to a single unit before the calculation: 1 ft = 0.3048 m, 1 in = 25.4 mm, 1 ft² = 0.09290304 m², 1 yd² = 9 ft². Material quantities are rounded up — you cannot buy part of a tile, plank or bag.
How to use this calculator
- Measure the room wall to wall.
- Enter the plank size and the coverage printed on the box.
- Set wastage — 10% standard, 15% for diagonal.
- Enter the underlay roll coverage if you want the roll count.
Worked example
| Room | 12 ft × 12 ft = 144 ft² |
|---|---|
| Plank | 48 in × 8 in = 2.667 ft² per plank |
| Raw planks | 144 ÷ 2.667 = 54 planks |
| Planks with 10% wastage | ⌈54 × 1.10⌉ = 60 planks |
| Boxes (18 ft² per box) | ⌈(144 × 1.10) ÷ 18⌉ = 9 boxes |
| Underlay | 144 ft² (one roll covers 100 ft² → 2 rolls) |
Check it by hand: every step above uses the formula in the box. If your numbers match the example inputs but the calculator gives a different answer, please report it via the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How much laminate flooring wastage do I need?
Allow 10% for straight runs and 15% for diagonal layouts. Laminate offcuts from the end of one row often start the next, which is why laminate wastes slightly less than tile — but 10% is still the safe figure.
Do I need underlay under laminate?
Almost always. Underlay levels small imperfections, reduces hollow sound, and provides a moisture barrier on concrete floors. Some laminates have underlay already attached — check the box before buying separate underlay.
Can laminate go in a bathroom or kitchen?
Standard laminate swells if water gets into the joints, so it is a poor choice for wet rooms. Use water-resistant laminate or vinyl in bathrooms, and wipe up kitchen spills promptly.
Which direction should laminate planks run?
Usually along the longest wall, or towards the main light source (a window). The direction does not change the quantity much, but it changes where the cuts fall — so measure the room in the direction you will lay it.
Related calculators
Estimates only. Results are for planning. Measure twice, confirm box coverage and tile sizes on the packaging you buy, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. See the disclaimer.