Installing new flooring is one of the best ways to transform your home—but before you buy, you need to get your measurements right. Good news: you don’t need a contractor to do it for you.
At Flooring.org, we empower homeowners and DIYers to shop smart and save money by measuring their space with confidence. Follow our step-by-step guide below, and download our free flooring measurement sheet to make the process even easier.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the following tools:
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Tape measure (preferably 25 ft or longer)
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Pencil and paper (or our downloadable measurement sheet)
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Calculator
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Graph paper or room diagram
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Smartphone (optional—for taking pictures of tricky areas)
Step-by-Step: How to Measure a Room for Flooring
Step 1: Sketch Your Room
Start by drawing a simple layout of the space. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just include walls, doorways, closets, or any alcoves that affect square footage. You can:
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Use our printable Flooring Measurement Sheet
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Or sketch it on graph paper and label each wall A, B, C, etc.
Tip: If your space has curves, stairs, or angles, break it into rectangles or squares for easier calculations.
Step 2: Measure Wall to Wall
Using your tape measure, record the length and width of the room in feet and inches. For example:
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Length: 16 feet
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Width: 12 feet
Repeat for each section of the room if it’s irregular or L-shaped.
Step 3: Calculate Square Footage
Use the formula:
Length × Width = Square Feet
For a rectangular room:16 ft × 12 ft = 192 sq. ft.
If you broke the space into multiple sections, calculate each one individually and then add them together.
Step 4: Add Overage for Cuts and Waste
Always factor in extra flooring to cover cutting, layout adjustments, and potential future repairs.
Recommended overage:
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5–10% for simple layouts
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10–15% for rooms with angles, stairs, or custom cuts
Example:192 sq. ft. + 10% (19.2 sq. ft.) = ~211 sq. ft.
Order at least 211 square feet of flooring.
Step 5: Double-Check Closet, Hallways, and Adjoining Rooms
Don’t forget:
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Closet floors
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Entryways
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Transition areas between rooms
Measure these like you would a small room, and add them to your total.
Download Your Free Flooring Measurement Sheet
Make measuring even easier with our printable worksheet, available here. Use it to track dimensions, sketch your layout, and calculate your total square footage in one place.
What to Do With Your Numbers
Once you’ve measured your space and calculated your total, head to Flooring.org to:
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Shop by square footage
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Get help choosing the right underlayment
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Learn about installation options and care
Not sure if your measurements are right? Our team is here to help review your room layout before you order.
No Contractor? No Problem.
By following these simple steps, you can confidently measure your space and order just the right amount of flooring—saving time, money, and stress. Whether you’re installing hardwood, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), or laminate, it all starts with accurate measurements.
Ready to get started?
👉 Visit Flooring.org and find the perfect floor for your space today.
