Ordering too little flooring is a real problem — if your product goes out of stock or the dye lot changes, you may not be able to match it later. Ordering too much wastes money. Getting the number right isn't complicated, but there are a few things people consistently miss.

The Basic Formula

Measure the length and width of each room in feet. Multiply them together to get square footage. Add up all the rooms you're covering. That's your base number.

Then add 10% for overage. This accounts for cuts around doorways, corners, and walls, plus any defective planks you pull from the box. Don't skip this step — running short mid-installation is a frustrating and potentially expensive problem.

Example: Three rooms — 12×14, 10×12, and 15×18. That's 168 + 120 + 270 = 558 sq ft base. Add 10% = 614 sq ft. Order 620 to hit a round box count.

Bump It to 15% for Diagonal or Herringbone

If you're installing at a 45-degree angle or in a herringbone pattern, cuts at the perimeter become much longer and you waste significantly more material. Use 15% overage instead of 10% for any non-straight-lay pattern.

Don't Forget Awkward Spaces

Closets are easy to forget — measure them separately and add them in. Same with hallways, alcoves, and pantries. These small spaces add up, and they're often where people come up short.

Measure Twice for Oddly Shaped Rooms

For L-shaped rooms, break them into two rectangles and calculate each separately. For rooms with bay windows or bump-outs, add those areas in. When in doubt, round up — flooring from the same dye lot stored in a closet is far less annoying than needing to re-order.

Pro tip: Bring your measurements into any of our three LA showrooms and our team will double-check your math and help you figure out how many boxes to order based on the specific plank size you choose. Box coverage varies by product.

Understanding Box Coverage

Flooring is sold by the box, not by the plank. Each box lists its coverage in square feet — this varies by product. Once you know your total square footage with overage, divide by the box coverage to get your box count. Always round up to the next whole box.

Keep Your Leftovers

Even after installation is complete, hold onto your remaining boxes for repairs. A scratch, a water damage spot, a moving company that gouges a plank — having matching material on hand is worth more than the closet space it takes up. Store boxes flat in a climate-controlled area.

We carry solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, laminate, vinyl SPC, and tile in stock at our Gardena warehouse. Most orders are same-day. Questions? See our FAQ or reach out directly.