How to use the flooring calculator
Measure the room at its longest and widest points, pick the type of flooring and leave the waste allowance at the suggested value. If you know how many square feet come in one box of the product you like (it is printed on the box and on the store listing), enter it to get an exact box count.
For L-shaped or irregular rooms, split the floor into rectangles, run the calculator for each one and add the results together. Closets count too — don't forget them.
The flooring formula
Flooring to buy = Area × (1 + Waste % ÷ 100)
Boxes = Flooring to buy ÷ Sq ft per box (rounded up)
Carpet (sq yd) = Flooring to buy ÷ 9
Example: a 15 × 12 ft room is 180 sq ft. With 10% waste you need 198 sq ft, which is 10 boxes of 20 sq ft each.
How much waste to allow
- 5–7%: simple square rooms with laminate or vinyl plank
- 10%: most rooms (the default)
- 15%: diagonal layouts, herringbone, lots of corners, or natural hardwood with color variation
Flooring cost per square foot (2026)
| Flooring | Material | Installation | Installed total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $1.50–$4 | $2–$4 | $3.50–$8 |
| Luxury vinyl plank | $2.50–$6 | $2–$4 | $4.50–$10 |
| Engineered hardwood | $4–$10 | $3–$6 | $7–$16 |
| Solid hardwood | $5–$12 | $4–$8 | $9–$20 |
| Carpet + pad | $2–$5 | $1–$2.50 | $3–$7.50 |
| Porcelain / ceramic tile | $2–$8 | $5–$10 | $7–$18 |
Removing and disposing of old flooring adds about $1–$2 per sq ft. Leveling an uneven subfloor can add another $1–$3 per sq ft. Prices shift with your state's labor rates, which the calculator adjusts for automatically.
Which flooring should you choose?
- Kitchens, bathrooms, basements: luxury vinyl plank or tile. Both are waterproof and handle spills.
- Living rooms and bedrooms on a budget: laminate looks like wood for about half the price.
- Adding resale value: hardwood (solid or engineered) is what buyers expect in higher-end homes.
- Bedrooms and kids' rooms: carpet is the cheapest, warmest and quietest option.
Flooring cost by state
Installing LVP in a 15×12 ft room, incl. removal — estimated cost by state. Figures use the same assumptions as the calculator above.
| State | Low | High | vs. US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| US average | $1,040 | $2,280 | — |
| Alabama | $944 | $2,077 | -13% |
| Alaska | $1,225 | $2,670 | +25% |
| Arizona | $1,010 | $2,218 | -4% |
| Arkansas | $936 | $2,062 | -14% |
| California | $1,203 | $2,623 | +22% |
| Colorado | $1,062 | $2,327 | +3% |
| Connecticut | $1,144 | $2,498 | +14% |
| Delaware | $1,070 | $2,342 | +4% |
| District of Columbia | $1,151 | $2,514 | +15% |
| Florida | $1,003 | $2,202 | -5% |
| Georgia | $973 | $2,140 | -9% |
| Hawaii | $1,277 | $2,779 | +32% |
| Idaho | $996 | $2,186 | -6% |
| Illinois | $1,114 | $2,436 | +10% |
| Indiana | $1,003 | $2,202 | -5% |
| Iowa | $1,003 | $2,202 | -5% |
| Kansas | $988 | $2,171 | -7% |
| Kentucky | $981 | $2,155 | -8% |
| Louisiana | $966 | $2,124 | -10% |
| Maine | $1,040 | $2,280 | 0% |
| Maryland | $1,055 | $2,311 | +2% |
| Massachusetts | $1,188 | $2,592 | +20% |
| Michigan | $1,040 | $2,280 | 0% |
| Minnesota | $1,092 | $2,389 | +7% |
| Mississippi | $922 | $2,030 | -16% |
| Missouri | $1,025 | $2,249 | -2% |
| Montana | $1,010 | $2,218 | -4% |
| Nebraska | $988 | $2,171 | -7% |
| Nevada | $1,070 | $2,342 | +4% |
| New Hampshire | $1,070 | $2,342 | +4% |
| New Jersey | $1,166 | $2,545 | +17% |
| New Mexico | $973 | $2,140 | -9% |
| New York | $1,188 | $2,592 | +20% |
| North Carolina | $959 | $2,108 | -11% |
| North Dakota | $1,010 | $2,218 | -4% |
| Ohio | $1,018 | $2,233 | -3% |
| Oklahoma | $951 | $2,093 | -12% |
| Oregon | $1,084 | $2,374 | +6% |
| Pennsylvania | $1,062 | $2,327 | +3% |
| Rhode Island | $1,114 | $2,436 | +10% |
| South Carolina | $951 | $2,093 | -12% |
| South Dakota | $966 | $2,124 | -10% |
| Tennessee | $966 | $2,124 | -10% |
| Texas | $981 | $2,155 | -8% |
| Utah | $1,010 | $2,218 | -4% |
| Vermont | $1,055 | $2,311 | +2% |
| Virginia | $1,010 | $2,218 | -4% |
| Washington | $1,114 | $2,436 | +10% |
| West Virginia | $973 | $2,140 | -9% |
| Wisconsin | $1,047 | $2,296 | +1% |
| Wyoming | $988 | $2,171 | -7% |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much flooring I need?
Multiply room length × width to get square feet, then add 10% for cuts and waste. Divide by the square feet per box and round up to get the number of boxes.
How much does it cost to install flooring in a 12×15 room?
A 180 sq ft room typically costs about $650–$1,500 for laminate, $850–$1,900 for luxury vinyl plank and $1,700–$3,800 for solid hardwood fully installed, before removing the old floor.
Should I buy extra flooring?
Yes. Buy 10% extra for most rooms and keep an unopened box for future repairs. Product lines are often discontinued within a few years.
What is the cheapest flooring to install?
Carpet and laminate are usually the cheapest installed, at roughly $3–$8 per sq ft. Sheet vinyl can be cheaper still for kitchens and laundry rooms.
How many square feet are in a box of flooring?
Most laminate and vinyl plank boxes hold 18–24 sq ft, and hardwood boxes 20–30 sq ft. Tile is usually sold in boxes of 8–16 sq ft. Check the product label for the exact number.