HARDWOOD
HARDWOOD FLOORING
planks = ft² × waste ÷ plank ft²
ft
ft
RESULT
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FILL IN ABOVE
Hardwood boxes average 18–25 ft²/box — confirm the label before buying. Keep one full box unopened for future repairs; same-lot replacements are nearly impossible to find later.
About this calculator
This hardwood flooring calculator gives you the square footage and number of planks needed for a solid or engineered hardwood install. Enter your room dimensions, pick a plank width (2.25"–7") and an average plank length (36"–72"), and the calculator returns the square feet to buy with the correct waste factor — 10% for straight, 12% for offset plank, 15% for diagonal or herringbone. Most hardwood boxes cover 18–25 ft²; the calculator estimates box count at 22 ft²/box. Wider planks lay faster but waste more material at room edges.
Common questions
How many planks are in a box of hardwood?
It varies by plank size. A box of 5"×48" hardwood covers about 22 ft² with roughly 13 planks; 3.25" strip oak runs 20–22 planks per box at the same coverage. Box yield in ft² is the only number that matters for ordering — the calculator uses 22 ft²/box as a planning average.
Solid vs engineered hardwood — does the calculator change?
Material count is identical — both are sold by the box and ship at similar coverages. What changes is install pattern: solid hardwood is nail-down only and needs a wood subfloor, while engineered can float, glue, or nail and works over concrete. Use the same waste factors either way.
How much extra hardwood should I buy for repairs?
One full unopened box on top of the calculator total. Same-lot replacement boards become impossible to find within a year, and repaired sections from a different lot are visible even with a stain match. Keep the box label — manufacturer, lot, and color code make warranty claims easier.
Do wider planks waste more material?
Yes. A 7" wide plank ripped down to fit the last row leaves 5–6" of waste; a 3.25" plank ripped to fit leaves 1–2". The calculator's 12% offset waste factor covers a typical 5" install — bump to 13–14% mentally if you're running 7"+ planks in a narrow room.