Laminate flooring calculator

Count flooring cartons, underlayment and baseboard for a room in one step.

LW
Letters on the drawing match the letters next to the inputs.
ft
ft
sq ft
pcs
ft
More settings
sq ft
Cartons of laminate10 packs

Shopping list

  • Cartons of laminate10 packs
  • Underlayment2 rolls
  • Baseboard pieces7 pcs

How we got there

Floor area
180 sq ft
Area to buy
193 sq ft (incl. 7 % for cuts)
Baseboard length
51 ft

Results are estimates. Always check the coverage printed on the product and your local building code.

How it is calculated

The floor area gets 7 % extra for a straight layout or 15 % for diagonal, is divided by the coverage per carton and rounded up. Underlayment gets 10 % for overlaps. Baseboard runs along the perimeter minus door openings, plus 5 % for corner cuts.

FormulaCartons = floor area × (1 + extra) ÷ coverage per cartonBaseboard = 2 × (length + width) − doors × 3 ft

Example

A 15 × 12 ft room needs 10 cartons of 20 sq ft for a straight layout, 2 rolls of 100 sq ft underlayment and 7 baseboard pieces of 8 ft.

Tips from practice

  • Let cartons sit in the room for 48 hours before installing.
  • Run planks along the light from the main window to hide the seams.
  • Leave a 1/4–3/8 in expansion gap at the walls; the baseboard covers it.

Questions and answers

How much extra laminate should I buy?

About 5–7 % for straight layouts and 10–15 % for diagonal ones or rooms with many corners.

Do I need underlayment?

Yes, unless the planks have it attached. Over concrete, use one with a vapor barrier.

Can I return unopened cartons?

Most stores take back unopened cartons. Check the policy before you buy.

Found a mistake in a formula? Write to [email protected]