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Carpet Calculator

Calculate how much carpet you need in square feet, square yards, or linear yards — with roll width, waste, and cost estimates.

📐 Calculate Your Carpet

ft
ft
$/sqft
Room Area
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sq ft
Carpet Needed
—
sq ft (incl. waste)
Square Yards
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sq yd
Linear Yards
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linear yd

💰 Carpet Costs by Type (2026)

  • Polyester: $1–$3/sq ft
  • Nylon: $2–$5/sq ft
  • Wool: $5–$15/sq ft
  • Olefin/Berber: $1.50–$4/sq ft
  • Padding: $0.30–$0.60/sq ft
  • Installation: $1–$3/sq ft

🧶 Carpet Pile Types Explained

  • Cut pile (plush): Soft and luxurious, best for bedrooms and formal living rooms.
  • Loop pile (Berber): Durable, hides footprints, great for high-traffic areas.
  • Cut-loop: Pattern texture, good for high traffic, hides dirt and wear.
  • Frieze: Twisted fibers, casual look, hides dirt and vacuum marks.

🛡️ Carpet Padding Guide

  • 6lb rebond: Standard for most rooms
  • 8lb rebond: Premium comfort, living rooms
  • Flat rubber: Best for basements
  • Memory foam: Luxury feel

Thickness: 7/16″ standard, 1/2″ premium. Never exceed 1/2″ — thicker padding reduces carpet life.

🪜 Measuring Carpet for Stairs

Each step: measure tread depth + riser height + 2″ for nose wrapping. A standard step needs about 24″ of carpet.

Multiply by the stair width. A typical 13-step staircase needs about 21 linear feet of carpet.

For runners, standard width is 27″. For wall-to-wall, use your full stair width (typically 36–42″).

How Much Carpet for Common Room Sizes?

Quick reference for carpet quantities. Carpet is sold in 12 ft wide rolls (1 sq yd = 9 sq ft):

Room SizeArea (sq ft)Square YardsWith 10% WasteEst. Material Cost
Bedroom (10×12)120 sq ft13.3 sq yd14.7 sq yd$176–$441
Bedroom (12×14)168 sq ft18.7 sq yd20.5 sq yd$246–$616
Living room (14×18)252 sq ft28 sq yd30.8 sq yd$370–$924
Master suite (16×20)320 sq ft35.6 sq yd39.1 sq yd$469–$1,174
Whole home (1,500 sq ft)1,500 sq ft166.7 sq yd183.3 sq yd$2,200–$5,500

Carpet: $2–$5/sq ft ($18–$45/sq yd). Padding adds $0.50–$1.00/sq ft. Rolls are 12 ft wide — factor in seam placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert carpet from square feet to square yards?
Divide square feet by 9. For example, 120 sq ft ÷ 9 = 13.33 square yards. Carpet is often priced per square yard at retail stores, so this conversion is essential for comparing prices and ordering the right amount.
What type of carpet padding do I need?
For most residential applications, 6–8 pound rebond padding at 7/16″ thickness is ideal. For basements, use flat rubber or moisture-resistant padding. Never use padding thicker than 1/2″ as it reduces carpet life — the carpet flexes too much at seams and wears out faster.
How do I calculate carpet for stairs?
Measure the tread (horizontal) depth plus riser (vertical) height plus 1 inch for each step. Multiply by the stair width. A standard 13-step staircase typically needs about 21 linear feet of 27″-wide runner or full-width carpet. Add 10% for waste.
Should I seam carpet or buy a wider roll?
Minimize seams whenever possible — they're the weakest point. Use 15-foot rolls for rooms wider than 12 feet. Place seams in low-traffic areas, away from doorways and perpendicular to windows (so light doesn't highlight them). Professional seaming is recommended.
How long does carpet last?
Nylon carpet in moderate traffic lasts 12–15 years. Polyester: 5–10 years. Wool: 15–20+ years. Regular vacuuming, professional cleaning every 12–18 months, and quality padding extend carpet life significantly. High-traffic areas like hallways and stairs wear fastest.
How much carpet do I need for a 12×15 room?
180 sq ft = 20 sq yd. With 10% waste = 198 sq ft (22 sq yd). Carpet rolls are 12 ft wide, so you need a 15 ft length. Cost: $360–$900 plus padding.
How much does it cost to carpet 3 bedrooms?
Three 10×12 bedrooms = 360 sq ft + waste = 396 sq ft. Material: $720–$1,800. Padding: $200–$400. Installation: $360–$720. Total: $1,280–$2,920. Bulk discounts often available.

How Much Carpet for Common Home Projects?

How much carpet for a 14×16 master bedroom? 224 sq ft = 24.9 sq yd + 10% waste = 27.4 sq yd. Since rolls are 12 ft wide, you need a 16 ft length (192 sq ft) — buying the full roll width means some waste, but no seams.

What's the best carpet for bedrooms? Plush or frieze carpet in 40–60 oz face weight offers the best comfort and durability. Budget $3–$5/sq ft for quality carpet plus pad. Stain-resistant nylon (like Stainmaster) is ideal for kids' rooms.

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