Flooring Guides
How Much Flooring Do I Need?
Getting your flooring quantity right is one of the most important steps before you order. Too little and you'll face delays waiting for more stock. Too much and you've overspent. Here's exactly how to measure up and calculate how much flooring you need.
The Simple Formula
At its most basic, calculating how much LVT flooring or SPC flooring you need comes down to one simple formula. Measure the length and width of your room in metres, multiply them together to get the square meterage, then add 10% for cuts and waste.
The Formula
Room Length (m) × Room Width (m) = Area (m²)
Area × 1.1 = Total flooring required
How to Measure Your Room
Measuring accurately is the foundation of getting your order right. Here's how to do it properly, whether your room is a simple rectangle or a more awkward shape.
Measure the Length and Width
Use a tape measure to measure the longest length and the widest width of the room in metres, including any alcoves, bay windows or recesses. Always measure to the widest points — it's better to have a little extra than to run short. Write both measurements down before moving on.
Calculate the Square Meterage
Multiply the length by the width to get your room area in square metres. For example, a room that measures 4.5m long by 3.2m wide has an area of 14.4m². If your room is an irregular shape — L-shaped, for instance — break it down into two rectangles, calculate each one separately and add them together.
Add 10% for Cuts and Waste
Always add at least 10% to your total square meterage to account for the cuts you'll need to make at the edges, around doorframes and obstacles, and for any planks that don't cut cleanly. Multiply your room area by 1.1 to get your final order quantity. For herringbone flooring, where more cuts are required, add 15% instead.
Round Up to the Nearest Box
LVT flooring and SPC flooring is sold by the box, with each box covering a set number of square metres — you'll find this on each product page. Divide your total required square meterage by the pack size and always round up to the nearest whole box. It's always better to have a spare box than to run out during installation.
A Worked Example
Let's say you're laying LVT flooring in a kitchen that measures 5.2m by 4.1m, and the flooring you've chosen has a pack size of 1.79m².
Step 1
Room Area
5.2m × 4.1m = 21.32m²
Step 2
Add 10% Waste
21.32m² × 1.1 = 23.45m²
Step 3
Number of Boxes
23.45 ÷ 1.79 = 13.1 → order 14 boxes
Measuring Awkward Rooms
Not every room is a perfect rectangle. Here's how to handle the most common awkward shapes.
L-shaped rooms — divide the room into two rectangles, calculate each area separately and add them together. Use the overall longest and widest measurements to ensure you capture everything.
Rooms with bay windows — include the bay window area in your measurement. Measure to the back of the bay and across its full width and add this to the main room area.
Rooms with alcoves — measure alcoves separately and add to the main room total. It's easy to forget these and end up short.
Open plan spaces — measure the entire open plan area as one room, even if it covers kitchen, dining and living zones. Running the floor continuously looks best and simplifies your calculation.
Hallways and landings — measure length by width in the usual way. For a staircase landing, measure the full area including the top step if you're running the floor across it.
Multiple rooms — if you're laying the same floor throughout, calculate each room separately, add all the areas together and then add 10%. Don't add 10% to each room individually as this will overestimate.
How Much Extra to Order
The standard advice is to add 10% for cuts and waste — and for most rooms laid in a straight pattern this is perfectly adequate. However there are situations where you should add more.
Straight Lay
Add 10%
Standard plank or tile laid parallel to the walls. 10% is sufficient for most rooms with this pattern.
Herringbone
Add 15%
The diagonal nature of herringbone requires more cuts at the edges and borders. Add 15% to be safe.
Diagonal Lay
Add 15%
Laying planks at 45 degrees to the wall increases waste at the edges. Allow 15% extra for any diagonal pattern.
Why You Should Always Order Spare Planks
Even if your calculations are spot on, it's always worth ordering one extra box beyond what you need and keeping it in reserve. Here's why.
Future repairs — if a plank is ever damaged it can be replaced individually. Without a spare from the same batch the colour match may not be perfect.
Batch variation — flooring is manufactured in batches and colour can vary slightly between runs. Spare planks from your original order will always be a perfect match.
Product discontinuation — outlet products in particular can sell out and not be restocked. Having spares means you're covered if the product is no longer available when you need it.
Installation errors — even experienced fitters occasionally snap a plank or make a bad cut. A spare box means you can deal with mistakes without pausing the job.
Use Our Floor Calculator
Every product on LVT Outlet has a built-in flooring calculator on the product page. Just enter the square meterage you need, tick the box to add 10% for waste, and it automatically calculates the number of boxes required and the total cost. It takes the maths out of the equation completely.
If you're unsure about your measurements or want a second opinion before you order, get in touch at sales@lvtoutlet.co.uk and we'll be happy to help.
The Quick Answer
Measure length × width to get your room area in m², add 10% for waste (15% for herringbone), then divide by the pack size and round up to the nearest box. Always order one extra box and keep it as a spare. Or just use the calculator on the product page and let it do the maths for you.