Using a tape measure, measure the length and width of the room in feet. If the room has irregular shapes or alcoves, break it down into smaller sections and measure each separately. If your room has features such as closets, built-in furniture, or alcoves, don't forget to measure these areas separately and add their square footage to the total.

Multiply the length of the room by the width to find the total square footage of the room. For example, if the room measures 12 feet long by 10 feet wide, the total square footage would be 120 square feet (12 ft x 10 ft = 120 sq ft).

It's recommended to purchase slightly more flooring than the calculated square footage to account for waste during installation. The amount of waste needed can vary depending on factors such as the layout of the room, the complexity of cuts required, and the expertise of the installer. A general rule of thumb is to add an extra 10% to your total square footage to accommodate for waste.

Subtract any non-flooring areas from the total square footage to ensure you purchase the correct amount of flooring (under a vanity, built-in desk, etc…). Add the additional percentage for wastage to the total square footage calculated in Step 2. This will give you the total square footage of flooring needed for your project.