How to measure floors for square footage

How to calculate square footage? 

It's easy.  Follow these steps.

Measure the length in feet, Measure the width in feet. Multiply the length figure by the width figure.  This will be your total square footage for that portion of your project.  Continue to repeat this for all parts of the space that will get the same tile.   Add these together for your total square footage.

Measuring in inches works as well.  Do the math the same way, then divide by 144 to get your total in square feet.
When calculating square footage account for the entire space (i.e. under vanity/cabinets).

How much to allow for waste?

To allow for waste, you must consider the installation.  For most standard installations, 10% extra for waste is sufficient.  Percentage of waste for more elaborate patterns like running tile on a 45 degree angle, herringbone or cross hatch, consult with your installer. Add 15% for tile being installed in a room with lots of jogs and corners. These installations will require more cuts and thus more waste.

Length x Width + Waste = Amount Needed

How to measure for bullnose?

Measure the length of any outside edge where your tile edge would be exposed or you want framed out.  Bullnose (also called trim pieces and decorative tiles) are typically sold by the piece. To figure the quantity you have to establish the length of the trim piece (i.e. 6" bullnose, 8" decorative liner), then the rule is:  Your total linear length divided by the length of each piece equals your quantity needed.  

How to calculate how many pieces of bullnose you will need?

If you have ten feet exposed edge that needs bullnose this is equal to 120".  If you selected a 6" bullnose or trim piece, you will need to divide 120" by 6", which will give you 20 pieces of bullnose needed.  Using 8" decorative liner for the same 120", you divide 120" by 8" which would be 15 pieces of liner needed.

Measuring for Schluter Profile Edging

Measure the length of any outside edge where your tile edge would be exposed.    Not all edging is the same.  Speak to your design associate about different uses.  

When buying online, you will be responsible for measuring the rooms where you want to install flooring to determine the amount of flooring material to buy. It is very important to measure correctly, so that you will not have a shortage of material when you go to install your flooring. You also wouldn’t want to order more flooring material than you need either, leading to unnecessary costs. For your convenience, woodwudy.com has provided a square foot calculator that you may find helpful in tabulating the square footage of flooring that you will need for your project.   

To avoid any problems, please read the following simple recommendations that will assist you in learning how to properly measure for your flooring, so that you buy only what you need. 

• To begin, you will need a tape measure, calculator, pen and paper. Make a list of the rooms where you are going to install flooring.

• Measure the length of your room, round up the nearest foot. For example, if your room is 10 ft. 5 in long, round up to 11 feet. Write down your measurement.

• Next, measure the width of your room and round up to the nearest foot. Write down your measurement.

• To get a rough estimate of the amount of square footage of flooring that you will need for that room, multiply the length of the room by the width of the room. For example, if your room is 20 ft. long by 15 ft. wide, multiply 20 x 15 = 300 square feet.

• If there are any objects in the room that cannot be moved, for example, a kitchen island that won’t have flooring under it, measure the object’s length and width to determine the square footage and subtract that amount from the total square footage for that room. For example, if the object measures 6 ft. long by 5 ft. wide, multiply 6 x 5 = 30 square feet. So, you will subtract 30 sq. ft from 300 sq. ft. – 300 - 30 = 270 square feet.

• After you do this for each room, then add all of the total square feet for each room together to get your overall total of square footage. 

• Finally, you must add additional square footage for waste. If you are installing the flooring yourself, you should allow additional 10% in square footage of flooring to allow for cuts and damaged pieces during installation. Multiply your total square footage for your flooring project by 10%. For example, 270 x 10% = 27 square feet. Add this amount to your previous total to get the square footage of flooring that you need to order. Ex. - 270 + 27 = 297 square feet. This will get you the final total of square footage that you need to order to complete your entire project.

How to Measure for Extra Flooring in Irregular Shaped Areas

If you have a bay window or any irregular shaped area that is outside of the square shape of the room, you must allow for additional flooring to cover that area. The following are some guidelines to assist you in determining how much additional flooring to purchase for a bay window or any other irregular shaped areas.

• First, measure the length of the opening going into the bay window or irregular space. Then measure the width of the narrowest part of the bay window or irregular space. Add the two measurements together and divide the total by two. For example, if the opening of the bay window is 8 ft and the narrowest part of the bay window is 4 ft.  8 + 4 = 12 feet divided by 2. 12 / 2 = 6. 

• Measure how deep the bay window is by measuring from the window to the opening where the bay window begins. Multiply the depth of the bay window by the total previously calculated. If the depth of the bay window is 5 ft., then you multiply the two totals, 6 x 5 = 30 square feet. So, you will need an additional 30 square feet of flooring to cover the floor inside of the bay window. 

• Then, you will add your bay window or other irregular shaped area measurement to your total room measurement before you calculate for waste. 270 + 30 = 300 sq. ft. 

• Finally, add the 10% for waste. Ex. - 300 x 10% = 30 sq. ft. Add 300 sq. ft. (room total) plus 30 sq. ft. (waste) for a final total of 330 square feet needed to complete your flooring project. 300 + 30 = 330 square feet.

We hope that these tips will help make measuring your floors and calculating the square footage required for your project, a fast, easy, stress free experience. We offer a wealth of educational information and videos on our website to guide you, as well as our square foot calculator. In the event that you still require further assistance, our trained flooring specialists are available to offer any advice or answer any questions that you may have. Feel free to contact us at 1-877-966-3983. We are here to serve you.

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