Discover how much carpet replacement costs based on factors like the project size, the carpet material, and the labor required.
Carpet Calculator: How Much Carpet Do I Need?
Don’t be floored by your carpet replacement project
Get quotes from carpet installation pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from carpet installation pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Need Help With a Project? Connect With a Pro
A carpet calculator helps you determine the square footage needed by multiplying your room's length and width, then adding 10% for overage.
Expect to pay $800 to $3,000 for professional carpet installation, with costs for carpeting stairs ranging from $400 to $800 depending on your project.
You'll measure regular rooms by multiplying length and width, while irregular spaces need dividing into sections before calculating the total square footage.
Hiring a local carpet installation professional removes the guesswork from measurements and ensures proper installation, especially for stairs and irregular room shapes.
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Carpet adds comfort and style to a room and can help muffle noises in the home. If your home needs new carpet, you’ll need to know how much you need to help make your carpet installation go smoothly. This carpet calculator will help you determine exactly how much carpet you need for your project so you’re not caught short.
How Much Carpet Is Needed for Your Room?
The amount of carpet you need depends on the room size. Here are some typical room sizes and the approximate amount of carpet required for each.
| Room | Average Size in Feet | Amount of Carpet Needed in Square Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | 12x18 | 238 |
| Dining room | 14x10 | 154 |
| Bedroom | 11x12 | 146 |
| Hallway | 3 1/2x4 | 16 |
| Home office | 8x8 | 71 |
How to Calculate How Much Carpet You Need
To determine the amount of carpet you need, measure the length and width of your room. Then, plug the numbers into the following equation:
Amount of Carpet = [Room Length x Room Width] x 10%
This formula adds 10% to the calculation for overage, which allows you to make mistakes during installation without worrying that you’ll run out of material.
How to Measure for Carpet
Photo: bill oxford / E+ / Getty Images
Measuring for carpet can be simple or complicated, depending on the room's shape and whether you’re installing the carpet on the stairs.
How to Measure a Regular-Shaped Room for Carpet
Measuring a square or rectangular room for carpet is straightforward because you don’t have to account for unusually shaped areas. Here’s how to measure a basic room for carpet:
Measure the length of the room from one wall to the other.
Measure the width of the room from one wall to the other.
Multiply the room’s length by its width.
Multiply that number by 1.1 to account for 10% overage.
For example, if your room measures 10 feet long and 12 feet wide, the total area is 120 square feet. You’ll multiply that by 1.1 to get a total carpet requirement of 132 square feet.
Carpet installation costs around $800 to $3,000, depending on the type of carpet and the area of the room. If you’re torn between low-pile and high-pile carpet, consider the room, your comfort needs, and the level of foot traffic in the area.
How to Measure an Irregular-Shaped Room for Carpet
If your room isn’t a perfect square or rectangle, measuring for carpet is a little more complicated. However, it’s doable if you follow these steps:
Divide the room into two or more areas.
Measure the length and width of each area.
Multiply the length and width of each area.
Add all area sizes together.
Multiply that number by 1.1 to account for 10% overage.
For example, if your room has an alcove, you could divide it into two areas measuring 8 feet by 10 feet and 4 feet by 4 feet. The two areas measure 80 square feet and 16 square feet, respectively. Together, they measure a total of 96 square feet. Multiply that number by 1.1 to get 105.6 square feet, rounded up to 106 square feet (including overage).
How to Measure Stairs for Carpet
Measuring stairs for carpet can be trickier than measuring a room. Here’s how to do it properly:
Measure the rise (height) and run (length) in inches of each stair.
Add the rise and run together, then add an extra inch to account for overage.
Multiply the stair measurement by the number of stairs.
Divide by 12 to convert the measurement to feet.
Measure the width of the stairs, rounding up to the nearest foot.
Multiply the length and width of the stairs to find the area.
For example, if your stairs have a 7-inch rise and an 11-inch run, you’d add them together, then add an extra inch to get 19 inches. If you have 13 stairs, you’d multiply 13 by 19 to get 247 inches, which equals 20.6 feet. If the width of the stairs is 3 feet, you’d multiply 21 by 3 for a total area of 60 square feet for carpeting.
Carpeting stairs costs between $400 and $800, depending on the number of stairs and the type of carpet you choose.
Who to Hire to Install Carpet
Installing carpet can be a DIY project if you have done it before and the room is a regular size and shape. However, in many cases, it’s best to hire a local carpet installation company to measure the installation area properly and lay the carpet professionally. You may also be able to find a contractor or handyperson who installs carpet; this option allows you to buy the carpet yourself and pay for installation, rather than being required to purchase it from your installer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Carpet installation reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
5.0★ avg. • 21 total reviews
- Brent C.
Showed up on time and cleaned carpets well, but didn?t move furniture.
Voda Cleaning & Restoration of Columbus - Brent C.
Carpet repair done well. Scheduling was easy. Showed up on time.
BR Flooring Installation - Sarah E.
Joseph did a great job with the staircase and trim. Timely and efficient, clear communication about the work, very fair pricing. For the stairs in particular, done very skillfully in an old house (1893) in a tight spiral, and very creative with how to do the handrail. Did a nice job with...
Vouis Trim Carpentry L.L.C. - Jena P.
This company does it right. Firstly, I want to say that Landan was a joy to work with. He was so kind, transparent, and had everything under control. His entire team showed up ready to work and they were all very respectful of the fact that we were in an office space. A little backstory – we...
Krumlauf Floors - Jeanann S.
Very professional, knowledgeable and helpful! Completed the install on time and as expected.
Ward's Services - Grace G.
Excellent, Prompt, Courteous Service!!! They were super friendly and quite personable. I felt very comfortable with the gentlemen that did the installation. They installed it exactly where I asked them to and they did an excellent job!! I loved their service so much.
Tether House - Sherrie H.
I hired windows depot USA of central to install new windows in house in Oshawa. Ilya was very professional from the start, not only did he offered a great price, he also made sure the installation was on time. I am very satisfied with final outcome. The windows look great and the overall...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Bob T.
We were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTile - Nicholas B.
Great experience all together. Dog friendly, courteous, great results and honest with recommendations. Will certainly be using Cardinal in the future for any carpet repairs
Cardinal Carpet Care & Repair - Jake H.
Did an amazing job transforming my yard. Also installed sod in places, would recommend to everyone.
Cardinal Landscaping & Construction LLC
The homeowners guide to carpet installation
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Not only are carpet tiles easier to install than carpet, but they’re often more affordable. So, how much does carpet tile installation cost? Let’s take a look.
The average range to remove carpet costs $120 to $720. Contractors base carpet removal costs on square footage, home location, and installation type.
Is new carpeting on your to-do list? Use this checklist for your carpet installation project to ensure the job gets done right.
If you’re planning to install carpet, you’ll need to figure out how much to buy. This guide will show you how to measure stairs for carpet in a few simple steps.
Different types of carpet suit different rooms, traffic patterns, and overall use. Learn the best type of carpet for your home renovation project.