FITTING

How to Measure Floors for Flooring: Complete Guide

Ordering new flooring? The first step is making sure you know exactly how much you need. Accurate measurements save you money, avoid waste, and ensure a professional-looking installation.

This guide explains how to measure floors for carpet, vinyl, LVT, and laminate, including tips for irregular-shaped rooms, alcoves, and doorways.

Whether you're planning to DIY or hiring an installer, these steps help you get it right.

Why Accurate Measurements Matter

Getting your measurements right means:

You’ll order enough material without paying for waste.
Your flooring will fit neatly without unsightly joins or gaps.
Installers can cut and fit faster.
You’ll stay on budget and avoid surprises.

For carpet, vinyl, LVT, and laminate alike, measuring properly is essential.

What You'll Need

Tape measure (at least 5–8 m)
Graph paper or notebook
Pencil or pen
Calculator
Optional: Laser measure for large rooms
Camera for noting tricky areas

Step-by-Step: How to Measure Floors

1. Clear and Prepare the Room

Move furniture out of the way.
Sweep or vacuum for clear lines.
Check for features like steps, columns, or built-in units.

A clear floor makes measuring more accurate.

2. Measure the Length and Width

Measure the longest length of the room wall to wall.
Measure the widest width at the room’s broadest point.
Always measure in multiple places as some walls aren’t perfectly square.
Use the largest measurements for your order.

Pro Tip: Record all dimensions clearly with sketches if needed.

3. Account for Irregular Shapes

For L-shaped or awkward rooms, split them into rectangles or squares.
Measure each section’s length and width separately.
Add these individual areas together for the total.

Example:

Area 1 = 3 m × 4 m = 12 m²
Area 2 = 2 m × 2.5 m = 5 m²
Total = 17 m²

4. Include Alcoves and Recesses

Measure bay windows, fireplaces, or built-in wardrobes if flooring goes behind them.
Don’t skip small recesses as they still need to be covered.
Sketch your plan showing where these features sit.

5. Factor in Doorways and Thresholds

Measure the flooring that needs to extend through doorways.
Note transitions to other rooms or flooring types.
Account for extra material if you need to overlap thresholds or use transition strips.