Carpet Calculator: How Much Carpet Do I Need?
Don’t be floored by your carpet replacement project
The amount of carpet you need for your project depends on the room size and shape.
The calculation will vary depending on whether the room is regular or irregular in shape.
A carpet installer can measure your home to determine the exact amount you need.
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
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
The first step in budgeting for carpet is to determine the amount of carpet you need and the type of carpet you want. You might be tempted to opt for the least expensive option if you have a limited budget, but a low-quality carpet won’t last as long as a high-quality one. When accounting for future carpet repair costs, it makes sense to buy the best-quality carpet you can afford.
Yes, installing or replacing carpet yourself is a challenging DIY project. It involves multiple steps, including the removal of old flooring, underlayment and tack strip installation, careful measuring, and stretching the carpet to prevent it from wrinkling or puckering. Expect to spend at least four days installing carpet if you decide to do it yourself.
Carpet typically lasts between five and 15 years, depending on the type of carpet and the level of foot traffic in the area. Some signs you need to replace your carpet include excessive staining or discoloration, water damage, excessive wear and tear, lingering odors, and increasing allergy symptoms.
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