A room of 5 × 4 metres is 20 m². With 8% cutting waste you need 21.6 m², which is 10 packs of 2.2 m² (22 m²). Allow 5% extra for underlay and subtract about 0.9 m from the perimeter for the door when you order skirting boards.
How much laminate flooring do you need?
Work out the number of packs of laminate (laminaat in Dutch) in three steps: floor area (length × width), add cutting waste, then divide by the coverage of one pack and round up. A living room of 6 by 4.5 metres is 27 m². With 8% waste you need 29.2 m², and at 2.22 m² per pack that is 14 packs. You can’t buy half a pack, so you always end up with a little more than the floor area.
How much cutting waste should you allow?
| Situation | Waste |
|---|---|
| Rectangular room, planks laid lengthwise | 5% |
| Normal room with a few corners | 8% |
| Many corners, stairwell, alcoves or pillars | 12% |
| Diagonal or herringbone layout | 15% or more |
Waste comes from the offcut at the end of each row, which does not always fit in the next row. Short rooms lose more than long ones. Keep one spare pack for repairs, because laminate from another production batch can differ slightly in colour.
Underlay and skirting boards
Laminate needs an underlay for cushioning, sound reduction and, on a concrete floor, a moisture barrier. Plan the floor area plus 5% for overlaps. For skirting boards measure the perimeter and subtract door openings. The calculator subtracts one door of 0.9 m. Skirting is usually sold in 2.4 m lengths, so add a spare length for offcuts.
Fitting tips
- Let the packs acclimatise in the room for 48 hours at room temperature.
- Leave an expansion gap of 8 to 10 mm along the walls.
- Lay planks in the direction of the main light source for the best look.
- Start and finish each row with a piece of at least 30 cm.
For an irregular room, split the floor into rectangles and add their areas. For sloping sides the Pythagoras Calculator gives the diagonal. Finishing the walls too? Use the Wallpaper Calculator or the Curtain Calculator. Budgeting for the renovation? Check a loan with the Loan Calculator Netherlands.
How to use this calculator
- Measure the length and width of the room in metres.
- Enter the coverage of one pack, printed on the packaging (often 2.0 to 2.6 m²).
- Choose the cutting waste that suits your laying pattern.
- Press Calculate to see packs, underlay and skirting length.
Key figures at a glance
| Area | length × width |
|---|---|
| Cutting waste | 5% to 15% |
| Underlay | area + 5% |
| Expansion gap | 8 to 10 mm along walls |
Frequently asked questions
With 8% cutting waste you need 21.6 m². At 2.2 m² per pack, that is 10 packs.
5% for a simple rectangular room, 8% as a standard, and 12% to 15% for many corners or diagonal laying.
Usually yes, for cushioning, sound and a moisture barrier on concrete. Some laminate has underlay attached.
Yes, if the laminate and underlay are approved for it. Check the manufacturer’s specifications.
For future repairs. Laminate from a different batch can have a slightly different colour.