How to Measure the Planks for a Floating Floor

Divide the area into squares or rectangles if the room is awkwardly shaped. For example, a kitchen might have an "L" shape with a separate dining nook. The base of the "L" would be one area for measurement, and the rest would be a second area.

Measure the length and width of each area. Round up to the nearest 1/2 foot to ensure you give yourself enough planks. For example, if the length of one side is 10 feet and 2 inches, mark it instead as 10 feet and 6 inches.

Measure any other areas in the room requiring the floating floor, such as a closet space.

Convert all the measurements to inches. For example, 14 feet equates to a total of 168 inches or 14 times 12 inches.

Compute the square footage area by multiplying the width of the squares by the length in inches. Divide that number by 144 for the square foot total of the square. For example, if the room is 168 inches wide and 144 inches long the total square inches is 24,192, or 168 square feet.

Add the square footage together for all the areas.

Tack on an extra 5 to 15 percent to account for wasted planks and ones that are of poor quality. That turns 168 square feet into between 177 square feet to 194 square feet.

Divide that number the amount that one package of planks will cover. In the example, if one package covers 24 square feet, then it will take 8 packages of planks to finish the room with a small margin for error, and 9 packages with a larger margin for error.