How much laminate flooring do I need for a room?

Measure your room length x width to get the floor area in m², then divide by the pack coverage (typically 2.0-2.5 m² per pack). Always add 10% for wastage — you will lose material on cuts at walls, around doorframes and at the start/end of rows. For L-shaped rooms, break the area into rectangles. Considering vinyl instead? Try our Vinyl Flooring Calculator (/flooring/vinyl-flooring-calculator).

How many packs of laminate for a 4m × 5m room?

A 4m x 5m room is 20 m². With 10% wastage that is 22 m². Using standard 2.2 m² packs, you need 10 packs. Using 2.0 m² packs, you need 11 packs. This laminate flooring pack calculator always rounds up to the next whole pack — you cannot buy part packs.

Do I need underlay for laminate flooring?

Yes, underlay is essential for laminate and engineered wood flooring. It smooths minor subfloor imperfections, provides sound insulation, and creates a moisture barrier. Standard underlay rolls cover 15 m² and are 2-3mm thick. Some laminate comes with underlay pre-attached — check before buying separate underlay. For concrete subfloors, use underlay with a built-in DPM (damp-proof membrane). If the subfloor is uneven, level it first — see our Floor Levelling Calculator (/flooring/floor-levelling-calculator).

What is beading/scotia and do I need it?

Beading (also called scotia moulding) is a small trim that covers the expansion gap between the laminate flooring and the skirting boards. Laminate flooring must have a 10-15mm expansion gap around all walls, and beading neatly hides this gap. It is available in lengths of 2.4m and comes in matching colours. Alternative: remove and refit skirting boards to cover the gap — use our Skirting Board Calculator (/flooring/skirting-board-calculator) for quantities.

How much expansion gap should I leave for laminate?

Leave a 10-15mm expansion gap around all walls, door frames, pipes and fixed objects. Laminate flooring is a floating floor that expands and contracts with temperature and humidity changes. Without adequate gaps, the flooring can buckle. Use spacers during installation to maintain consistent gaps. This gap is then covered by skirting boards or beading. For carpet as an alternative, see our Carpet Calculator (/flooring/carpet-calculator).

TradeCalcs

Laminate Flooring Calculator — Packs, Underlay & Beading

Work out how many packs of laminate or engineered flooring you need, plus underlay and beading. Standard UK pack sizes.

Room Length

Room Width

Pack Size

Check the pack coverage on the product — varies by brand

Include wastage allowance

Adds 10% extra for cuts and fitting

Wastage Percentage

10% standard, 15% for complex rooms

Price Per Pack (optional)

Enter your pack price for a cost estimate

How We Calculate This

Our laminate flooring calculator works by dividing your room area (plus wastage) by the pack size to determine how many packs you need. We also calculate underlay rolls and beading/scotia lengths.

The formula

Packs needed = Room area × (1 + Wastage %) ÷ Pack size (m²)

Underlay rolls = Room area ÷ 15 m² per roll

Beading = Room perimeter = 2 × (Length + Width)

Standard UK sizes

Laminate packs: Typically 2.0-2.5 m² per pack (varies by brand)
Underlay: Standard roll covers 15 m² (10m × 1.5m or 15m × 1m)
Beading/scotia: Sold in 2.4m lengths

Pack sizes vary between brands — common UK brands like Quick-Step, Elka, Krono and Balterio all use slightly different pack coverages. Check the pack size on the product page before ordering. We recommend 10% wastage for standard rectangular rooms and 15% for rooms with many cuts or complex shapes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.