ProjectCalc (working name)

Flooring Calculator

Boxes to buy for vinyl plank, laminate or hardwood — with the right waste factor for your layout, underlayment, and baseboards.

Feet — fractions welcome
Feet

ItemAmount
Flooring to buy
Boxes
Underlayment (100 sq ft rolls)
Baseboard / shoe molding

Click-lock floors need the waste allowance — cuts, damaged tongues and the last-row rip add up. Keep one spare box: product lines change and a water-damaged plank in year three is why you saved it.

🛒 Shopping list

ItemQty
Flooring
Underlayment rolls
Baseboard / shoe molding (8-ft pieces)
Transition strips (per doorway)
Spacers (1/4″–3/8″ expansion gap)1 pack

✅ Project checklist

  • Acclimate boxes in the room 48–72 hours before installing
  • Moisture-test the subfloor; check flatness (3/16″ over 10 ft)
  • Pull baseboards or plan shoe molding to cover the expansion gap
  • Stagger end joints at least 6″; mix planks from several boxes for color blend
  • Leave the full expansion gap at every wall and fixed object — no exceptions

How the math works

Flooring to buy = room area × (1 + waste factor), divided by the box coverage printed on the carton — always verify against your actual product, since coverage varies from ~14 to ~36 sq ft per box. Baseboards are figured on the room perimeter plus 10%.

For estimation only. Check your product's installation guide for its specific waste, acclimation and moisture requirements.