What waste percentage should I use?

For simple rooms and straight installs, 5–10% waste is common. For complex rooms, lots of cuts, or diagonal/herringbone patterns, 10–15% is safer.

Should I subtract kitchen cabinets or fixed islands?

If flooring will not be installed under fixed items, you can subtract those areas as non-floor area. If you are uncertain, leave it as 0 and use a reasonable waste allowance.

Why does tile count include grout joint thickness?

Using tile module size (tile + grout joint) typically matches real layouts more closely than tile-only area. It is still an estimate—always confirm with your supplier’s recommended coverage and packaging.

Flooring Calculator (Tiles or Planks)

Flooring Calculator

Calculate floor area and estimate how many tiles or planks you should order, including a waste allowance for cuts and breakage.

Flooring Calculator

Estimate tiles/planks for a rectangular floor area (minus openings) with waste allowance

Flooring type

Waste allowance

Room length

Room width

Non-floor area (optional)

Tile length

Tile width

Grout joint

Results

Enter dimensions above to calculate

Formulas used

The calculator estimates order area first, then converts area to pieces (tiles or planks) and rounds up.

1. Floor Area

Formula:

Gross Area = Length × Width

Measure the room’s floor dimensions. If the room is irregular, break it into rectangles, calculate each area, and add them together before using the calculator.

2. Subtract Non-Floor Areas (Optional)

Formula:

Net Area = Gross Area − Non-floor Area

Subtract areas that won’t receive flooring (for example, fixed islands, hearths, or built-in cabinets). If you’re unsure, leave this as 0 and rely on the waste allowance.

3. Add Waste Allowance

Formula:

Order Area = Net Area × (1 + Waste%)

Waste covers offcuts, breakage, and layout. 5–10% is common for straight installs; 10–15% is safer for diagonal or herringbone patterns.

4. Convert Area to Pieces

Formula:

Pieces = Order Area ÷ Piece Area

For tiles, the calculator uses the tile “module” (tile size plus grout joint). For planks, it uses the plank face size. Results round up to whole pieces.

Example

A 5 m × 4 m room, no openings, 10% waste. Compare 600 × 600 mm tile (3 mm grout) vs 1200 × 180 mm planks.

Net area = 5 × 4 = 20.0 m²
Order area = 20.0 × 1.10 = 22.0 m²
Tile module area = (0.600 + 0.003) × (0.600 + 0.003) = 0.363609 m²
Tiles = ceil(22.0 ÷ 0.363609) = 61
Plank area = 1.2 × 0.18 = 0.216 m²
Planks = ceil(22.0 ÷ 0.216) = 102

Frequently Asked Questions

What waste percentage should I use?: For simple rooms and straight installs, 5–10% waste is common. For complex rooms, lots of cuts, or diagonal/herringbone patterns, 10–15% is safer.
Should I subtract kitchen cabinets or fixed islands?: If flooring will not be installed under fixed items, you can subtract those areas as non-floor area. If you are uncertain, leave it as 0 and use a reasonable waste allowance.
Why does tile count include grout joint thickness?: Using tile module size (tile + grout joint) typically matches real layouts more closely than tile-only area. It is still an estimate—always confirm with your supplier’s recommended coverage and packaging.