How to Measure Your Space for New Flooring
Accurately measuring your space is one of the most important steps when ordering new flooring. Whether you are installing luxury vinyl plank, laminate, engineered hardwood, or carpet, proper measurements ensure you purchase the correct amount of material while avoiding delays or costly mistakes.
This simple guide will walk you through the process of measuring your space so you can confidently order flooring for your project.
Tools You Will Need
Before measuring your room, gather a few basic tools that will make the process easier and more accurate.
• tape measure
• calculator or phone calculator
• pen or pencil
• paper to sketch the room layout
A laser measuring tool can also be helpful for larger spaces, but a standard tape measure works perfectly for most rooms.
Measure the Length and Width of the Room
Start by measuring the length and width of the room in feet. Measure from wall to wall at the longest points and write down the measurements.
For example:
Length: 15 feet
Width: 12 feet
To calculate the square footage of a rectangular room, multiply the length by the width.
Example calculation:
15 × 12 = 180 square feet
This number represents the total floor area of the room.
Measuring Multiple Rooms
If your project includes multiple rooms, measure each room separately and calculate the square footage for each one.
Once you have the square footage for every room, add them together to determine the total area.
For example:
Living room: 240 square feet
Kitchen: 150 square feet
Bedroom: 180 square feet
Total square footage = 570 square feet
This total will help determine how much flooring you need to order.
Measuring Irregular or L-Shaped Rooms
Some rooms may have unusual layouts such as L-shapes or alcoves. The easiest way to measure these spaces is to break the room into smaller rectangular sections.
Measure each section individually, calculate the square footage for each area, and then add them together.
For example:
Section one: 12 × 10 = 120 square feet
Section two: 8 × 6 = 48 square feet
Total area = 168 square feet
Sketching the room layout on paper can help visualize each section and ensure you measure everything correctly.
Always Add Extra Material for Waste
When ordering flooring, it is important to add extra material to account for cutting, waste, and potential mistakes during installation.
Most professionals recommend adding 5% to 10% additional flooring depending on the layout of the room and the installation pattern.
Example:
Room size: 500 square feet
Waste allowance (10%): 50 square feet
Total flooring to order: 550 square feet
This extra material ensures you have enough flooring to complete the project without running short.
Consider Closets and Hallways
When measuring your space, do not forget to include closets, hallways, and small connecting areas that will also require flooring. These areas are easy to overlook but can add meaningful square footage to your total order.
Measuring every section of the floor space ensures you receive enough material for a seamless installation.
Converting Measurements for Flooring Boxes
Most flooring products are sold by the box rather than by individual planks. Each box will list the total square footage it covers.
For example, if one box covers 21.27 square feet and your project requires 550 square feet, divide the total square footage by the coverage per box.
Example:
550 ÷ 21.27 = 25.85 boxes
Since you cannot order partial boxes, round up to the next whole number.
In this example, you would order 26 boxes of flooring.
Double Check Your Measurements
Before placing your flooring order, double-check all of your measurements to ensure accuracy. Measuring twice can help prevent ordering too little or too much material.
If you are unsure about your measurements, consider consulting with a flooring professional who can help verify your calculations.
Ready to Order Your Flooring
Measuring your space correctly is the first step toward a successful flooring installation. By calculating your square footage and adding the appropriate waste allowance, you can ensure you order the right amount of flooring for your project.
Once your measurements are complete, you can confidently explore flooring styles, colors, and materials that fit your design vision and budget.