Most flooring is sold by the square foot. The square footage is the actual measurement of the area to be covered by flooring. A waste factor of 5% must be added to the amount of square footage of flooring needed to allow for cutting waste. Example: a 10' x 10' room = 100 sq. ft. 5% of 100 is 5 so you will have to purchase 105 sq. ft. in order to have enough flooring. The cutting waste also allows for some minor defects if any in the wood to be cut out.