Floorboard Calculator
Floorboard Estimator
Planning to install timber or laminate flooring? This estimator helps you calculate the number of floorboards needed based on room dimensions and board size. Great for DIYers, builders, and flooring contractors in both the UK and USA.
Technical Guidance
- UK: Board dimensions often in mm (e.g. 138mm × 1800mm)
- USA: Use inches/feet – e.g. 5.5" × 6ft planks are common
- Coverage = Room Area ÷ Board Area + 5–10% for waste
- Board area = (width × length) converted to m² or ft²
Example Board Coverage
| Board Size | Area per board | Boards per 10m² |
|---|---|---|
| 138mm × 1800mm | 0.2484 m² | ~41 |
| 120mm × 2400mm | 0.288 m² | ~35 |
| 5.5" × 6ft (USA) | 2.75 ft² | ~37 for 100 ft² |
Pro Tips
- Always add 5–10% extra for cuts, corners, and mistakes
- Lay boards perpendicular to joists for strength
- Acclimate boards for 48h indoors before installing
Common Mistakes
- Not including waste factor — you’ll run short!
- Forgetting to account for doorways and recesses
- Not converting between mm/inches/m²/ft² accurately
FAQs
- How many boards for 20m² room? → Depends on board size, but approx. 80 boards of 138×1800mm
- Should I buy extra? → Yes — 5–10% extra is recommended for offcuts and mistakes
- What if my room isn’t a rectangle? → Break it into smaller rectangles and total them up
