Laminate calculator
Short answer
Laminate costs about $3–$7 per square foot installed. A 192 sq ft room (12×16 ft) runs roughly $576–$1,344 and takes about 11 boxes.
Cost / sq ft
$3–$7
Sq ft / box
20
12×16 room boxes
11
12×16 cost
$576–$1,344
What drives the cost of laminate
Laminate runs about $3–$7 per square foot installed. For a typical 12×16-foot room (192 sq ft) that's roughly $576–$1,344, or about 11 boxes at 20 sq ft each. That makes it one of the more budget-friendly options — ranked 5 of 5 common flooring types by installed cost.
The $3-to-$7 spread comes down to two things: material grade and installation. For laminate, the grade lever is the AC wear rating and how dense the fiberboard core is. Labor adds the rest — a simple floating install costs less than a glue-down or mortar-set job.
Layout decides how much you actually buy. A straight lay adds about 10% waste, a diagonal 15%, and herringbone 20% — so the same room in a fancy pattern needs meaningfully more laminate. The cost above is on the floor area; you buy the extra to cover offcuts.
What drives the cost
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Material grade | Drives the $3–$7/sq ft range — the AC wear rating and how dense the fiberboard core is |
| Layout pattern | Waste runs ~10% straight to ~20% herringbone |
| Subfloor prep | Leveling, moisture barriers, or old-floor removal add to the job |
| Room size & shape | Cut-heavy rooms waste more; a box covers ~20 sq ft |
| Installation method | Floating click-lock is cheapest; glue-down and mortar-set cost more in labor |
| Trim & transitions | Baseboards, thresholds, and stair nosing add materials most estimates forget |
Laminate vs other flooring
| Flooring type | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Laminate | $3–$7/sq ft |
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | $3–$8/sq ft |
| Engineered wood | $6–$14/sq ft |
| Solid hardwood | $8–$18/sq ft |
| Tile | $7–$20/sq ft |
Buying laminate
- Order about 10% extra laminate for a straight lay (more for diagonal or herringbone) so you have cuts and future repairs covered.
- Choose AC4- or AC5-rated laminate for busy areas, and lay a moisture barrier over any concrete subfloor.
- Buy all your laminate from the same production lot so color and finish match across boxes.
- Enter your real room size and layout pattern in the calculator for an exact laminate box count and cost.
Estimate your floor
Open the flooring calculatorOther flooring types
Frequently asked questions
How much does laminate cost per square foot?
About $3–$7 per square foot installed. Underlayment, trim, and subfloor prep are extra.
How many boxes of laminate for a 12×16 room?
About 11 boxes for 192 sq ft with a straight lay (10% waste), at 20 sq ft per box. Diagonal and herringbone patterns need more.
How much waste should I add for laminate?
Add about 10% for a straight or grid layout, 15% for a diagonal lay, and 20% or more for herringbone or chevron. Complex room shapes add more. The calculator applies the right factor per pattern.