Laminate flooring remains one of America’s top picks for residential and light commercial renovations. Before beginning your project, understanding how many planks come in a box of laminate flooring is crucial for accurate purchasing, budgeting, and installation planning. This guide breaks down plank quantities, influencing factors, and buying tips.
| Laminate Brand | Plank Size (inches) | Planks per Box | Coverage per Box (sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pergo Outlast+ | 7.5 x 48 | 8 | 19.6 |
| Mohawk RevWood | 7.5 x 47.25 | 8 | 19.63 |
| Shaw Repel | 5.43 x 47.72 | 10 | 22.09 |
| TrafficMaster | 6.14 x 50.79 | 8 | 17.26 |
What Determines Planks Per Box In Laminate Flooring?
The number of planks in a box of laminate flooring is not standardized. Several factors impact packaging and box counts, significantly influencing your purchasing process. Understanding these will help you avoid ordering too little or unnecessarily overspending.
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Plank Size And Dimensions
Larger planks require fewer pieces per box, while narrow or shorter planks increase box count. Most manufacturers strive to provide consistent square footage coverage—typically ranging from 17 to 30 square feet per box—regardless of individual plank size.
Brand And Product Line Differences
Each laminate flooring brand offers unique collections with different thicknesses, surface textures, and aesthetics. This diversity leads to variability in both the size and number of planks per box. Industry leaders such as Pergo, Mohawk, Shaw, and TrafficMaster all have their own packing methods.
Square Footage Coverage
The total coverage area per box is a key selling feature. Boxes are assembled to cover a target square footage, making it easier for customers to estimate total needs. This often causes box plank counts to vary even within the same brand but different product lines.
Typical Ranges: How Many Planks Per Box
For most residential laminate flooring projects, expect to find 7 to 12 planks per box. This range accommodates the most common plank sizes and standard coverage zones for American homes. Below is a breakdown by plank width.
| Plank Width | Planks/Box (Typical) | Square Feet/Box |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 inches | 9-12 | 19-24 |
| 7-8 inches | 7-8 | 17-20 |
| 10 inches+ | 6-7 | 22-25 |
Always check the manufacturer’s box label or product description for the specific plank count and coverage.
Example: Box Counts From Popular Brands
- Pergo Outlast+: 8 planks per box, covering approximately 19.6 sq ft
- Mohawk RevWood: 8 planks per box, covering about 19.63 sq ft
- Shaw Repel: 10 planks per box, covering about 22.09 sq ft
- TrafficMaster Laminate: 8 planks per box, covering close to 17.26 sq ft
The box count mainly reflects the intended square footage—meaning a set area will require a similar number of boxes across brands, even if the plank count per box changes.
Need Flooring Help? Call 877-761-0420 for Local Quotes
Calculating How Many Boxes Of Laminate Flooring You Need
Accurate measurement is crucial for ordering enough laminate flooring. The process requires more than just knowing planks per box—you must calculate room area and account for extra planks for waste and mistakes.
Step 1: Measure The Area
Start by carefully measuring the length and width of every room to be floored. Multiply length by width to get the area in square feet. For irregular spaces, break the room into small rectangles and add their areas together.
- For example: a room 12 feet wide x 15 feet long = 180 square feet.
Step 2: Check The Coverage Per Box
Most boxes indicate total square feet covered. Use this information to divide your total room square footage by the square footage per box.
- 180 sq ft (room) ÷ 19.6 sq ft (Pergo Outlast+ box coverage) = 9.18 boxes
Step 3: Add Extra For Cuts And Waste
Always order at least 10% extra to allow for mistakes, cuts, and future repairs.
- 9.18 boxes x 1.10 = 10.1 boxes. Round up to 11 boxes for best results.
Waste factors may increase for angled rooms or complex layouts; adjust accordingly if your project is more intricate.
Why Plank Quantities Per Box Matter For Your Project
Knowing how many planks are in a box of laminate flooring impacts your renovation from start to finish. From budgeting and delivery needs to minimizing waste, this figure helps plan both material use and cost control.
- Prevents under-ordering or costly, time-consuming returns for shortage
- Ensures you plan for matching pattern runs and board staggering
- Improves accuracy for contractors or DIY installations
Laminate Flooring Plank Sizes: An Overview
Laminate planks come in a wide array of sizes and thicknesses, giving consumers design flexibility and influencing packaging counts. Understanding the common dimensions will help you interpret box listings and coverage claims.
| Common Plank Length | Common Plank Width | Typical Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| 47–54 inches | 5–12 inches | 7–12 mm |
| 36–40 inches (short planks) | 4–7 inches | 6–8 mm |
Wider and longer boards reduce the number of total planks in a box for the same square footage coverage, affecting both appearance and ease of installation.
Need Flooring Help? Call 877-761-0420 for Local Quotes
Box Packaging: What’s Included?
Aside from just plank count, laminate flooring boxes usually feature key accessories and product details:
- Each box typically only includes flooring planks, not underlayment or molding.
- Some brands may pre-attach padding to the underside of planks for easier installation.
- Product inserts highlight installation tips, pattern recommendations, and care instructions.
Plank Appearance: Why Varying Box Counts?
Manufacturers often design boxes to distribute plank patterns or grain variations across each box. This ensures consistent natural looks once installed, purely for aesthetic reasons. As a result, a single box may contain multiple visual “faces” to prevent a repetitive, artificial finish after your flooring is laid down.
Key Considerations When Purchasing Laminate Flooring
Understanding planks per box is just the starting point for making a successful purchase decision. Factor in all relevant details to ensure your project runs smoothly and achieves the intended appearance and durability.
Check Return Policies
Overestimating purchases lets you handle mistakes or replacements, but confirm local stores will accept unopened boxes for return. Many retailers allow easy returns only within a certain period or with receipts.
Consistent Dye Lots
Order extra boxes from the same dye lot to guarantee color consistency throughout your space. Later purchases, even of the same style, may not be an exact match due to natural production variations.
Consider Waste Factor By Room Shape
Simple square rooms generate minimal waste (5–10%). Irregular or angled spaces, closets, or rooms with multiple entryways may require up to 15% excess.
Underlayment Needs
Laminate boxes usually do not include underlayment foam or padding—purchase this separately if needed for subfloor smoothing, sound reduction, or vapor protection.
Accessory Boards & Transitions
Coordinate your baseboards, transitions, and stair noses in addition to the necessary plank counts. Many stores offer matching moldings for a seamless finish.
Online Shopping: Navigating Plank Count Listings
Online retailers almost always list square footage and plank counts in product descriptions. Some may highlight total pieces per box, others prioritize coverage—always check both and compare to your measured space to avoid purchasing too little or inadvertently getting extra material.
Read reviews and Q&A sections for real-world insights about actual box contents and how pattern variety impacts project outcome.
Popular Laminate Flooring Brands In The US
American homeowners have access to dozens of laminate flooring brands, each packaging boxes according to plank size, design, and collection. Here are some prominent lines and general packaging information:
- Pergo: Usually 6–8 planks per box; 16–20 sq ft per box; premium water-resistant models
- Mohawk: 8 planks per box; 18–20 sq ft per box; offers RevWood and SolidTech lines
- Shaw: Up to 10 planks per box; 20–23 sq ft per box; known for scratch resistance
- TrafficMaster: 7–8 planks per box; 15–17 sq ft per box; value option for DIY installers
Always verify these numbers with current product listings, as packaging may change over time or by specific style.
Laminate Flooring Plank Thickness And Its Influence
Laminate thickness does not directly determine the number of planks per box—but thicker products are heavier and sometimes come with fewer planks per carton for manageability. Standard residential laminates are available in 7, 8, 10, and sometimes 12mm options.
Thicker planks offer superior feel underfoot and durability, but may affect both shipping cost and package size.
Special Cases: High-End And Extra-Wide Planks
Ultra-wide or long-plank laminate flooring may shift box counts dramatically—sometimes only 5 or 6 planks per box—but with the same or higher square footage coverage than standard planks. These styles are ideal for open floor plans and modern aesthetics.
- 8–12 inches wide; 48–54 inches long
- 5–7 planks per box, 23–28 sq ft coverage
Tips For Minimizing Waste And Overages
Precision is critical for large projects or tight budgets. To minimize leftover material:
- Purchase according to your exact floor plan, adding 10% for common cuts and errors
- Store leftover planks for future repairs or replacement boards
- Share accurate dimensions with your retailer to confirm box requirements
Laminate Flooring Vs. Other Flooring Types: Packaging Comparison
Laminate flooring planks are packaged similarly to luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring but often offer bigger box sizes than engineered hardwood or tile due to decreased weight per square foot. See how the packaging compares:
| Flooring Type | Planks Per Box | Coverage Per Box (sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate Flooring | 7–12 | 17–30 |
| Luxury Vinyl Plank | 8–10 | 20–25 |
| Engineered Hardwood | 5–8 | 15–25 |
| Ceramic Tile (12″x24″) | 10–12 tiles | 15–20 |
Laminate’s larger plank count per box and lighter packaging make it a popular choice for DIY installations.
Key Takeaways: How Many Planks In A Box Of Laminate Flooring?
- There is no universal standard—7 to 12 planks per box is typical, but exact numbers depend on plank size and brand.
- Expect 15 to 25 square feet of coverage per box.
- Always calculate your room’s total area, add 10% for waste, and check both plank count and square footage per box before buying.
- Confirm layout needs, pattern variations, and accessory items as you shop.
With the right preparation and accurate figures, you’ll achieve an efficient, professional laminate flooring installation with minimal leftovers or shortages—keeping your home project on schedule and on budget.