Sketch the room as two overlapping rectangles. Enter the shared overlap once so it is not counted in both sections.

01 / Formula

How this is calculated

Net area = length A × width A + length B × width B − overlap − exclusions

02 / Assumptions

What the estimate assumes

  • The room can be represented by two rectangles.
  • Overlap is measured in square feet.
  • Package coverage comes from the selected product.

03 / Worked example

See the math in context

An 18 × 12 rectangle plus a 10 × 8 rectangle, minus 40 sq ft of overlap, produces 256 sq ft before exclusions and waste.

04 / Guidance

Check the overlap on a sketch

Draw both rectangles and shade their shared area. If the rectangles meet without overlapping, enter zero.

Questions

Frequently asked

Why add a waste allowance?+

Cuts, layout, defects, breakage, and future repairs can require more material than the net floor area. Keep the allowance visible and adjust it for the product and pattern.

Should I buy by square foot or by box?+

Calculate square footage first, then divide by the exact coverage printed on the package and round up to whole packages. Use the calculator’s editable package coverage.