Planning a new floor but not sure how much flooring you actually need?

Whether you're transforming one room or running the same flooring throughout your kitchen, hallway and living space, getting your measurements right before you order can save time, money and a lot of frustration later.

The basic calculation is simple:

Room length (m) × room width (m) = floor area in m²

But that's only the starting point.

You also need to allow for cuts and wastage, consider the shape of your room, decide whether you're laying straight planks or herringbone flooring, check how many square metres are supplied in each pack and think about the complexity – and potential labour time – involved in your chosen layout.

At KWIK Floors, we're always happy to help. If you're unsure about your measurements, how much flooring to order or even which flooring will work best in your space, speak to us. We can walk you through the process and help you get it right before you place your order.

QUICK ANSWER: How Much Flooring Do I Need?

To calculate how much flooring you need:

1. Measure the length and width of your room in metres.
2. Multiply length × width to calculate the area in m².
3. Add an allowance for cuts and wastage.
4. Divide the final m² figure by the coverage per pack.
5. Always round UP to the next full pack.

At KWIK Floors, as a practical starting point we recommend allowing approximately:

Standard plank flooring: room area + 10%

Herringbone flooring: room area + 15%

More complicated rooms with lots of corners, alcoves, doorways or unusual angles may require additional allowance, so always consider the individual space and installation before ordering.

How to Measure a Room for Flooring

For a simple square or rectangular room, calculating your flooring couldn't be easier.

The flooring measurement formula:

Length × Width = m²

For example, if your room measures:

5m long × 4m wide = 20m²

Your actual floor area is therefore 20m².

However, we wouldn't recommend ordering exactly 20m² of flooring.

Every installation involves cuts and offcuts. Flooring needs to be cut where it meets walls, doorways, kitchen units, corners and other fixed features.

For standard plank flooring, adding our recommended 10% allowance would give:

20m² + 10% = 22m²

You would therefore look for enough packs to cover at least 22m², rounding up to the next complete pack.

How Much Extra Flooring Should I Order?

This is one of the most important calculations to make when ordering flooring.

As a general KWIK Floors guide:

Why order extra?

Because the measured square metres of your room aren't necessarily the same as the square metres of flooring you'll actually need.

Your extra flooring provides an allowance for:

• Cuts at the ends of rows

• Corners and angles

• Doorways and thresholds

• Alcoves and recesses

• Kitchen units and islands

• Pipes and other obstacles

• Unusable offcuts

• Cutting errors

• More complicated laying patterns

• Spare planks for potential future repairs

It's much better to have a little flooring left over than discover you're a few planks short halfway through installation.

TOP TIP: Keep any useful leftover planks after your installation. If you ever damage a plank in the future, having matching flooring from your original order can be extremely useful.

How Do I Calculate How Many Packs of Flooring I Need?

Once you know your required square metreage, check how many m² each pack of your chosen flooring covers.

Then use:

Total flooring required ÷ pack coverage = number of packs

Always round the answer up, not down.

Example

Imagine your room is 20m².

You're choosing standard plank flooring, so you add 10%:

20 × 1.10 = 22m²

If your chosen flooring covers 1.8m² per pack:

22 ÷ 1.8 = 12.22 packs

You cannot buy 0.22 of a pack, so you'd need to round upwards to:

13 packs

Remember to check the exact pack coverage of the KWIK Floors product you're buying rather than assuming every range contains the same m² per pack.

Plank vs Herringbone: Do I Need More Herringbone Flooring?

Yes. Although the actual floor area remains exactly the same, we recommend allowing more flooring for a herringbone installation because the pattern generally requires more cuts and creates more offcuts.

For example, take the same 20m² room.

Standard planks

20m² + 10% = 22m²

Herringbone

20m² + 15% = 23m²

It might only look like a small difference on paper, but it matters when you're ordering.

And material quantity isn't the only difference you should consider.

Does Herringbone Flooring Take Longer to Install?

Herringbone flooring can take longer to install than a standard straight plank layout because creating and maintaining the pattern generally involves more positioning, planning and cutting.

This is something people can easily overlook when budgeting for a new floor.

You may have measured exactly the same 20m² room, but laying 20m² of standard planks and laying 20m² in herringbone are not necessarily the same installation job.

Herringbone needs the pattern to remain accurately aligned across the room. There may also be more cuts around the perimeter.

That can mean additional installation time – and potentially additional labour cost.

If you're using a professional flooring installer, particularly somebody charging a day rate, ask:

How long will this flooring take to install?

Is there a different fitting cost for herringbone?

Does the quote include preparation and finishing?

How much flooring would they recommend ordering for your particular room?

Don't simply compare the m² of the room.

Think about the whole job.

What Affects How Long Flooring Takes to Install?

Our click flooring is designed to make installation straightforward, but every property is different.

The overall installation time can depend on:

Room size – naturally, a larger floor generally takes longer.

Flooring pattern – a standard plank layout will normally be more straightforward than herringbone.

Room shape – a simple rectangular bedroom can be very different from an open-plan kitchen with multiple corners.

Number of cuts – doorways, alcoves, corners and unusual angles all require additional measuring and cutting.

Fixed features – kitchen islands, units, pipes and other permanent features can make the layout more involved.

Multiple rooms – running one continuous floor through a hallway, kitchen and living room can look fantastic, but transitions, doorways and room shapes need to be considered.

Subfloor condition – your existing floor needs to meet the installation requirements for your chosen product, so check this before fitting begins.

DIY vs professional installation – if you're laying flooring yourself for the first time, allow yourself plenty of time rather than rushing.

So before choosing your flooring purely on looks or price per m², consider how it will actually work in your home.

How Do I Measure an L-Shaped Room for Flooring?

Don't panic if your room isn't a perfect rectangle.

For an L-shaped room, divide the space into smaller rectangles.

Measure each section individually:

Section A: Length × Width = m²

Section B: Length × Width = m²

Then:

Section A + Section B = Total floor area

Once you have your total, add the appropriate allowance for your chosen flooring layout.

For example:

Section A = 15m²
Section B = 6m²

Total = 21m²

For standard planks:

21 × 1.10 = 23.1m²

For herringbone:

21 × 1.15 = 24.15m²

You can use the same approach for more complicated rooms by breaking the floor into manageable shapes and adding the measurements together.

How Do I Measure Flooring for Alcoves and Bay Windows?

Don't forget the little spaces!

Alcoves, recesses and bay windows can easily be missed when you're taking the main length and width measurements.

Measure these areas separately and add their m² to your main room measurement.

This is also where having that extra flooring allowance becomes particularly important because unusual shapes often require additional cuts.

How Do I Measure an Open-Plan Kitchen and Living Room?

If you're using the same flooring throughout an open-plan space, measure every area that will be covered.

For complicated layouts, divide the room into rectangles and calculate each section separately.

For example:

Kitchen = 12m²
Dining area = 10m²
Living area = 18m²

Total floor area = 40m²

You can then add the appropriate flooring allowance.

Using one flooring throughout connected spaces can create a beautiful, seamless look and help make the overall space feel more unified.

But remember: larger open-plan spaces can contain kitchen islands, multiple doorways, alcoves and unusual angles, so speak to your installer – or to us – if you're unsure how much to order.

How Do I Measure Multiple Rooms for the Same Flooring?

Planning to carry the same flooring through your hallway, kitchen, living room or dining area?

Measure each space separately and then add the areas together.

For example:

Hallway = 6m²
Kitchen = 14m²
Living room = 22m²

Total = 42m²

Then apply your appropriate allowance to the overall flooring requirement.

It's particularly important to plan this properly if you want the same flooring throughout several rooms, as you'll want enough material available for the complete project.

Should I Measure Under Kitchen Units?

This depends on exactly where your flooring will be installed and the requirements for your chosen floor and kitchen installation.

Don't simply assume that the entire wall-to-wall footprint of a kitchen will be covered.

If you're planning a new kitchen and new flooring together, establish exactly where the flooring will run and how the kitchen will be installed before calculating the final quantity.

Speak to your kitchen fitter and flooring installer where necessary.

Should I Order Flooring Before Booking a Fitter?

Ideally, plan the flooring and fitting together.

Before confirming the job, make sure you know:

• Your approximate room measurements

• Your chosen flooring

• Whether you're having plank or herringbone

• How many packs you'll require

• What preparation may be necessary

• When your flooring will arrive

• How long your installer expects the job to take

• What their fitting price includes

If your fitter charges by the day, it's particularly useful to establish the expected installation time before the work starts.

A more intricate layout, lots of cuts or a complicated room can potentially mean additional fitting time.

Is Click Flooring Easy to Install Yourself?

Click flooring can make installation much more accessible because the individual pieces connect together without the traditional installation methods required by some other flooring types.

However, "easy to install" doesn't mean every room will take the same amount of time.

A simple rectangular room with straight planks is very different from a hallway leading into an L-shaped kitchen with several doorways, alcoves and corners.

Before starting a DIY flooring project, consider:

• How confident are you measuring and cutting?

• Is your subfloor suitable?

• How many doorways are involved?

• Are there lots of corners or alcoves?

• Is the room square?

• Are you installing standard planks or herringbone?

• Do you have the correct tools?

• Have you read the installation instructions for your particular flooring?

If you're unsure, getting professional advice before you start can save you time and potentially avoid expensive mistakes.

Plank or Herringbone Flooring: Which Should I Choose?

Both can completely transform a room, so the right choice depends on the look you want, your space, your budget and your installation plans.

Plank flooring

Planks create a classic wood-floor appearance and work beautifully throughout kitchens, bedrooms, hallways and open-plan spaces.

A straight plank installation is generally simpler and involves fewer complicated cuts than a herringbone layout.

KWIK Floors recommendation: allow approximately 10% extra for cuts and wastage.

Herringbone flooring

Herringbone creates a distinctive zig-zag pattern and can add instant character to a room.

It requires more planning and precision during installation and generally involves more cuts.

KWIK Floors recommendation: allow approximately 15% extra for cuts and wastage.

If you're paying for professional installation, remember to ask about fitting time and labour costs for each option too.

Don't Forget the Cost of Installation When Budgeting for New Flooring

The flooring itself isn't necessarily the only cost involved in your project.

When comparing flooring options, consider the total project, including:

• Flooring

• Delivery

• Subfloor preparation where required

• Installation

• Trims and finishing accessories

• Removal/disposal of existing flooring where applicable

• Additional labour for more complex layouts

This is particularly important when comparing plank vs herringbone flooring.

A herringbone product might be within your material budget, but if you're using a professional installer, the additional installation time can affect your overall project cost.

Ask first and budget properly.

Planning New Flooring for Autumn or Winter?

As the temperatures drop and we spend more time indoors, autumn is a brilliant time to start thinking about making your home feel warmer and cosier for winter.

Whether you're refreshing the living room before the darker evenings arrive, updating your hallway ready for muddy boots and paws or finally tackling that kitchen renovation before Christmas, planning early makes the whole project easier.

Wood-effect SPC flooring can give you the warm appearance of natural timber while providing the practical performance modern homes need.

And if you're already thinking ahead to Christmas and having your home ready for guests, don't leave measuring, ordering and booking your installer until the last minute.

Start with your measurements, order your samples and find the floor that feels right in your own home.

Always Order Flooring Samples Before You Decide

A flooring colour can look very different online compared with inside your own home.

Natural daylight, artificial lighting, wall colours, furniture and surrounding décor can all affect how a shade appears.

That's why we offer up to 3 FREE flooring samples.

Place them in the actual room you're renovating and look at them:

• During daylight

• In the evening

• Next to your walls

• Beside kitchen units

• Against existing furniture

• In both natural and artificial light

It's a simple step, but it can make choosing your new flooring much easier.

ORDER YOUR FREE FLOORING SAMPLES

Need Help Measuring? Ask KWIK Floors

Still asking "How much flooring do I need?"

You don't have to work it all out alone! 

At KWIK Floors, we're happy to help you through the process – from choosing the right style and colour to understanding which flooring could work best for your space and calculating approximately how much you'll need.

Whether you're considering plank flooring, herringbone flooring, waterproof SPC flooring or luxury vinyl flooring, talk to us.

If you've measured your room but aren't confident you've got it right, send us your measurements and tell us a little about the space.

We'll give you our best advice and help walk you through each step so you can order with confidence.

NEED HELP? GET IN TOUCH WITH KWIK FLOORS

Flooring Measurement FAQs

How do I calculate how much flooring I need?

Measure the room's length and width in metres and multiply them together to calculate the area in square metres (m²). Then add an allowance for cuts and wastage. At KWIK Floors, we recommend approximately 10% extra for standard plank flooring and 15% for herringbone flooring.

How much extra flooring should I buy?

We recommend allowing approximately 10% extra for standard plank installations and 15% for herringbone installations. Complicated rooms with numerous angles, corners or obstacles may require more. Ask your installer or speak to KWIK Floors if you're unsure.

How do I calculate m² for flooring?

Multiply the room's length in metres by its width in metres.

For example:

4m × 5m = 20m².

You then need to add your appropriate allowance for cuts and wastage before ordering.

How many packs of flooring do I need?

Calculate your required floor area including your wastage allowance, then divide it by the m² coverage stated for each pack. Always round up to the next complete pack.

How much flooring do I need for a 20m² room?

Using KWIK Floors' recommended allowances, you should plan for approximately 22m² for a standard plank installation or 23m² for a herringbone installation, before rounding up according to the actual coverage of each pack.

Do I need more flooring for herringbone?

We recommend a larger allowance for herringbone because the pattern generally requires more cutting and creates additional offcuts. Our guide is approximately 15% extra for herringbone, compared with 10% for standard plank flooring.

Does herringbone flooring cost more to fit?

It can. Herringbone usually requires more planning, alignment and cutting than a straightforward plank installation, which can increase installation time. Professional fitting prices vary, so always ask your installer whether herringbone will affect their quote or the number of days required.

Does herringbone take longer to lay than plank flooring?

Generally, yes. The individual floor area hasn't changed, but creating the herringbone pattern accurately usually requires more positioning and cutting than laying straight planks. The actual difference will depend on the room and installer.

How do you measure an L-shaped room for flooring?

Divide an L-shaped room into separate rectangles. Calculate length × width for each rectangle and then add the results together. Once you have the total floor area, add the appropriate allowance for cuts and wastage.

How much flooring do I need for multiple rooms?

Measure each room separately, calculate its m² and add the areas together. If the same flooring is being installed continuously across the spaces, discuss the overall layout with your installer before ordering.

Can KWIK Floors help me calculate how much flooring I need?

Yes. If you're unsure about your measurements, flooring choice or how much to order, get in touch with KWIK Floors. We're happy to give you our best advice and help you through the process.

Ready to Find Your New Floor?

Whether you're giving one room an autumn refresh or planning a complete home transformation, start by getting the basics right.

Measure your space. Choose your flooring. Allow for cuts. Consider installation. And ask for help if you're unsure.

Explore our latest waterproof SPC flooring, plank flooring, XL planks and herringbone flooring, or order up to 3 FREE samples and start finding the perfect floor for your home.

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