How to Measure for Laminate Flooring (Complete Guide)
Before ordering laminate flooring for your project, you need to know how much you need. Only then will you know how much extra material you can buy and expansion gaps you can leave. Measuring correctly helps you avoid running short or buying more than you need.
You need to measure each area and calculate the total floor space. Then you need to allow extra for cuts and waste. This process needs to be repeated for every room and there is a separate method for stairs and fixed units.
Important: This is a general guide for measuring laminate flooring. Always check the manufacturer's pack size and installation instructions before ordering. This is because board dimensions, pack coverage, and waste allowances vary.
What Do You Need to Measure a Room for Laminate Flooring?
To measure accurately, you only need a few basic tools:
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Paper or notebook
- Calculator
- Room measurements or floor plan
Measure in metres where possible, as this makes calculating the area in square metres easier. It is a good idea to measure each wall for accuracy. Don’t assume opposite walls are the exact same length. If you are working in a big room, measure more than one point to identify differences.
How Do You Measure for Laminate Flooring?
For a simple rectangular room, measure the length and width. Then multiply: Length × Width = Floor area
For example: 5 m × 4 m = 20 m²
This means that the room has a floor area of 20 square metres. If your measurements are in centimetres, convert them into metres before calculating. For example, 450 cm becomes 4.5 m.
How Do You Measure an Irregular-Shaped Room?
Not every room is a simple rectangle. If the room has alcoves, corners or an L-shaped layout, divide it into smaller rectangles. If it has radiator pipes or fixed units, make sure you account for those, too. Calculate the area of each section separately:
Section 1: 4 m × 3 m = 12 m²
Section 2: 2 m × 1.5 m = 3 m²
Then add them together: 12 m² + 3 m² = 15 m²
This gives you the total floor area in the most accurate way possible. Don’t assume and add similar values for opposite sides of the room.
How Much Extra Laminate Flooring Should You Allow?
Your calculated floor area tells you how much flooring would cover the room. But you should not order exactly that amount. You will need extra flooring for:
- Cutting boards around walls and door frames
- Fitting around pipes and awkward corners
- Staggering board joints
- Mistakes or damaged boards
- Future repairs
For a straightforward room, allowing approximately 10% extra is suitable. Rooms with lots of corners, angles or complicated cuts may require more. For example, if your room is 20 m² and you allow 10% extra: 20 m² × 1.10 = 22 m²
You would therefore need approximately 22 m² of laminate flooring. If your room has a staircase, make sure you get a stair profile and the right laminate packs for it. Always check the manufacturer's recommendation, as the allowance depends on the room and installation pattern.
How Do You Calculate How Many Packs You Need?
Once you know the total amount of flooring required, check how many square metres are covered by one pack. For example:
Required flooring: 22 m²
Coverage per pack: 2.2 m²
Then: 22 ÷ 2.2 = 10 packs
So you would need 10 packs. If the calculation produces a decimal, round up to the next whole pack. This is simply because you cannot buy half or part of a flooring pack.
Laminate Flooring Calculator
You can use this simple calculation as a laminate flooring calculator: Room length × room width = floor area
Then: Floor area × 1.05–1.10 = approximate amount including waste
Finally: Total required ÷ coverage per pack = number of packs
This calculation gives an estimate based on your measurements and waste allowance. Make sure you always round the final number of packs up.
What If You Have Multiple Rooms?
If you have multiple rooms, don’t add similar values even if they look the same. Measure each room separately and calculate the area of each one. For example:
- Living room: 20 m²
- Bedroom: 12 m²
- Hallway: 6 m²
Total = 38 m²
You can then add the recommended waste allowance to the total. However, if different rooms require different board directions, patterns or installation methods, calculate the waste for each area separately. This is better than applying one percentage to the entire house.
Should You Measure Doorways, Alcoves and Other Areas?
Yes, this is important as small spaces can add up, particularly in hallways and open-plan areas. You need to measure alcoves and doorway areas mainly. But also check recesses and bay windows or islands if you have any.
Remember to calculate cupboard entrances and connecting spaces like hallways. If you have radiator pipes or other lines around the room, measure their areas, too. Some areas like a section occupied by a permanent structure don’t need laminates, so don't include it in the calculation.
How Do You Account for Board Direction and Waste?
The direction in which you lay the boards can affect how much you need to cut. A simple layout produces less waste than a room with many corners or complicated angles. Know the manufacturer's instructions for staggering joints and minimum board lengths. Your offcuts may sometimes be reused, but only when they meet the required dimensions.
Don't automatically count every offcut as usable flooring. Before placing your order, check:
- Total floor area in m²
- Waste allowance
- Coverage per pack
- Number of packs required
- Board dimensions
- Flooring batch or shade
- Manufacturer's recommended installation method
- Extra materials such as underlay or a moisture barrier
FAQs
How much laminate flooring do I need?
Measure the floor area in square metres and add an allowance for cutting and waste. For many rooms, around 10% extra is allowed, but check the manufacturer's recommendation.
How much laminate flooring will I need for an irregular room?
Divide the room into smaller rectangles, calculate each area, and add them together. Then include the recommended allowance for waste.
Should I order extra laminate flooring?
Extra flooring allows for cutting, waste, installation mistakes and future repairs. The amount you need depends on the size and shape of the room.
Do I measure the whole room if I have fitted furniture?
Measure the area that will actually receive flooring, but take care with fitted units. Floating laminate should generally not be trapped beneath permanent fixtures unless the manufacturer's instructions specifically allow it.
Should I keep leftover laminate flooring?
Yes. Store a few unopened boards or a suitable amount of leftover flooring in a dry, appropriate location. Matching replacement boards can be difficult to find later, particularly if the product or colour is discontinued.
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