Material estimator

Square Footage Calculator

Calculate square footage, waste-adjusted material quantity, and cost for rooms, patios, walls, floors, and garden beds.

How This Calculator Works

Square footage is the shared starting point for flooring, tile, paint, mulch, and many other project materials. Use this page when you need a clean area number plus waste and cost.

Formula

Area = length x width x quantity. Material area = area x (1 + waste percentage). Cost = material area x price per square foot.

Assumptions

For L-shaped or irregular spaces, break the project into rectangles and run them separately or add the rectangles before using the cost fields.

Example

Three rooms that are each 12 ft by 10 ft total 360 sq ft. With 10% waste, buy for 396 sq ft.

Before You Buy

For irregular spaces, split the area into rectangles and add them before applying waste.
Use a higher waste factor when material has direction, pattern matching, or visible color variation.
Do not subtract small obstructions unless the material truly will not be installed there.

Common Questions

How do I calculate an L-shaped room?

Split it into two rectangles, calculate each rectangle, then add the areas.

Should closets be included?

Include closets if they receive the same material. Exclude fixed cabinets or areas that will not be covered.

Why include waste?

Cuts, pattern matching, damaged pieces, and future repairs usually require more material than the raw area.