How to use the laminate calculator
- Measure the room at floor level. For an L-shaped room, split it into rectangles and add the boxes up — or add the areas first.
- Enter the coverage per box from the packaging.
- Keep the 10% allowance, or increase it for complicated rooms.
This works the same way for vinyl plank (LVT), engineered wood and solid wood sold by the box.
The formula
boxes = room area × (1 + waste %) ÷ coverage per box (rounded up)
Worked examples
Metric: a 5 m × 4 m room = 20 m²; plus 10% = 22 m²; ÷ 2.13 m² per box = 10.3 → 11 boxes.
Imperial: a 15 × 12 ft room = 180 sq ft; plus 10% = 198 sq ft; ÷ 20 sq ft per box = 9.9 → 10 boxes.
Tips before you order
- Acclimatise the boards in the room before fitting if the manufacturer recommends it.
- Buy from one batch so colour and finish match.
- Don't forget the extras: underlay, expansion gap spacers, door bars and skirting or scotia trim.
- Keep a spare box if you can — it makes future repairs easy.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing small areas such as alcoves, wardrobes and the floor under door openings.
- Guessing the box coverage. It varies by brand and board size — read it off the box.
- No allowance for cuts. Every row ends with a cut piece.
Measuring an awkward shape? See how to measure an irregular area.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes of laminate do I need?
Divide the room area plus your waste allowance by the area covered by one box (printed on the box) and round up. For example, a 20 m² room plus 10% is 22 m²; at 2.13 m² per box that is 10.3, so you buy 11 boxes.
How much extra laminate should I buy?
Every row ends with a cut piece, and doorways and alcoves add more cuts. The calculator adds 10% by default. Increase it for rooms with lots of corners, or if you are laying the boards diagonally or in a pattern.
Is the coverage per box the same for every brand?
No. Board sizes and the number of boards per box differ, so the area per box differs too. Always use the coverage printed on the box you are buying.
How much underlay do I need?
Underlay covers the floor area itself, so use the room area (plus a little for overlaps if the underlay instructions say so). Underlay is sold by area per roll or pack — divide the area by that figure.
Last updated 10 November 2026. Found a mistake? Tell us.