How Much Flooring Should I Buy? A Simple Guide to Measuring Your Space

Table of Contents

• • How Do I Calculate the Square Footage of a Room?
  • How Much Extra Flooring Should I Buy?
  • How Do I Measure an Irregular-Shaped Room?
  • How Much LVP Flooring Do I Need?
  • How Much Tile Should I Buy?
  • Should I Measure Closets and Small Spaces Too?
  • What Happens If I Don’t Buy Enough Flooring?
  • Should I Buy Extra Flooring for Future Repairs?
  • Why Choose CRW Flooring Depot?
  • Frequently Asked Questions?

How Do I Calculate the Square Footage of a Room?

Calculating the square footage of your room is the first step in determining how much flooring you need. For a rectangular or square room, measure the length and width in feet and multiply the two numbers: Length × Width = Square Footage

For example, if your room is 12 feet long and 15 feet wide:

12 × 15 = 180 square feet

This means the room has 180 square feet of floor space before adding extra material for cuts, waste, or future repairs.

For projects involving multiple rooms, calculate the square footage of each room separately and then add the totals together.

How Much Extra Flooring Should I Buy?

You should generally purchase more flooring than the exact square footage of your room.

Extra material accounts for cuts, damaged pieces, installation mistakes, pattern matching, and unusual room layouts.

For many flooring projects, approximately 5% to 10% extra material is commonly considered. More complicated layouts, diagonal installations, tile patterns, or rooms with many corners may require additional material.

For example, if your room measures 200 square feet and you plan for 10% extra: 200 + 20 = 220 square feet of flooring

Before ordering, confirm the recommended waste allowance for the specific flooring product and installation pattern you choose.

How Do I Measure an Irregular-Shaped Room?

Irregular rooms can look complicated, but measuring them becomes much easier when you divide the space into smaller rectangles or squares.

Measure each section individually, calculate its square footage, and then add all the sections together.

Section A: 10 ft × 12 ft = 120 sq. ft.

Section B: 5 ft × 6 ft = 30 sq. ft.

Total: 150 sq. ft.

Once you know the total square footage, add the appropriate amount of extra flooring for cuts and waste.

Breaking the room into simple sections helps produce a more accurate estimate and reduces the risk of ordering too little material.

How Much LVP Flooring Do I Need?

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is typically sold by the carton, with each carton covering a specific number of square feet.

Start by calculating the total square footage of the installation area and adding the recommended waste allowance. Then check how many square feet are included in each carton.

For example, if your project requires 330 square feet after adding waste and each carton covers 22 square feet:

330 ÷ 22 = 15 cartons

Because flooring is sold in full cartons, always round up when your calculation results in a partial box. The exact coverage varies by product, so always check the carton specifications before purchasing.

How Much Tile Should I Buy?

Tile projects also require extra material because tiles often need to be cut around walls, cabinets, corners, fixtures, and other obstacles.

First calculate the total square footage of the area. Then account for additional material based on the room layout, tile size, and installation pattern.

Simple layouts may create less waste, while diagonal patterns, intricate designs, or rooms with many cuts can require more.

Buying enough tile at the beginning is especially important because purchasing additional boxes later may make it harder to find tile from the same production lot.

Should I Measure Closets and Small Spaces Too?

Yes. Any area where the new flooring will be installed should be included in your measurements. This may include closets, hallways, entryways, pantries, and small connecting areas.

These spaces can easily be overlooked when measuring a project. Even though each individual area may seem small, together they can add a significant amount of square footage to your flooring order.

What Happens If I Don’t Buy Enough Flooring?

Running out of flooring during installation can delay your project and create additional problems.

The same flooring style may temporarily be out of stock or discontinued, and products purchased later may come from a different manufacturing or dye lot. Depending on the material, this can sometimes create noticeable differences in color, shade, or pattern.

Accurate measurements and an appropriate waste allowance can help prevent these problems before installation begins.

Should I Buy Extra Flooring for Future Repairs?

Keeping a small amount of leftover flooring after installation can be useful.

If a plank or tile becomes damaged later, having matching material available can make repairs much easier—especially if the original product has been discontinued or changed.

Store leftover flooring in a dry, protected location and keep the product information or SKU with it whenever possible.

A few extra pieces today could save you from searching for a discontinued match years later.

Why Choose CRW Flooring Depot?

Buying flooring is about more than choosing a color or style. You also need the right quantity of material for your project.

At CRW Flooring Depot in Westland, Michigan, our team can help you understand product coverage, calculate how much flooring you may need, and explore flooring options for your home or project.

Whether you’re shopping for LVP, vinyl flooring, tile, or other flooring materials, we can help make the buying process easier.