How to Calculate Flooring Square Footage Like a Pro (Without the Headache!)

So, you’ve decided it’s time to upgrade your floors—great choice! But before you start picking out colors and textures, you need to figure out how much flooring you actually need. Don’t worry, we promise it’s easier than assembling IKEA furniture (and way less frustrating). Here’s how you can calculate your flooring square footage like a total pro.

Step 1: Grab Your Supplies

To get started, you’ll need a few simple tools: ✔️ A measuring tape (the longer, the better!)✔️ A calculator (or your phone’s calculator app)✔️ A notepad and pen (or a notes app, if you're fancy)✔️ A good attitude (because math is fun… right?)

Step 2: Measure Your Room(s)

To calculate square footage, you just need two things: the length and width of the room. Measure from wall to wall and write down the numbers. If the room isn’t a perfect rectangle, don’t panic! Just break it down into smaller rectangular sections and measure each separately.

Example: If your living room is 12 feet wide and 15 feet long, your basic square footage is: 12 ft × 15 ft = 180 sq. ft.

Step 3: Don’t Forget the Extras!

Life is full of surprises, and so is flooring installation. You’ll want to add 10% extra for cuts, waste, and those unexpected “oops” moments. If you’re working with unique patterns (like herringbone or diagonal installs), bump that up to 15% extra to be safe.

Using our example above: 180 sq. ft. × 1.10 = 198 sq. ft. (rounded up to 200 sq. ft. to be safe!)

Step 4: Special Cases & Odd-Shaped Spaces

• Closets & Nooks: Measure these separately and add to your total.

• Hallways & Entryways: Treat them as separate sections and measure individually.

• Kitchen Islands & Built-Ins: Subtract these from your square footage if the flooring won’t go under them.
  

Step 5: Call in the Pros (That’s Us!)

Sure, DIY measuring is great, but if you want total confidence in your numbers, let J. Michael Flooring double-check for you! We’ll make sure you get exactly what you need—no more, no less—so you can focus on the fun part: picking out the perfect floor!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab that measuring tape and let’s get started! And when you're ready to turn those numbers into stunning new floors, give us a shout. We’ll make the whole process smooth, simple, and (dare we say?) fun. 🎉