Carpet Calculator — Estimate Square Yards & Cost

🛋️ Carpet Square Yards Calculator

Room Length (ft)

Room Width (ft)

Number of Rooms

Carpet Grade

📊 Carpet Estimate

How to Measure for Carpet

Measure to the widest points of each room — include any alcoves or closets.
For L-shaped rooms, break the space into two rectangles and add totals.
Always add at least 10% for waste — 15% for rooms with angled walls or alcoves.
Carpet is sold by the square yard (9 sq ft = 1 sq yd). Rolls are typically 12 ft wide — rooms wider than 12 ft require seams.
Professional installation costs an additional $1–$3/sq yd for labor, plus old carpet removal.

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How to Use This Calculator

Enter the length and width of each room in feet — measure to the widest points, including any closets you plan to carpet.
Enter the number of rooms if all rooms are similar in size; for rooms of different sizes, run the calculator separately for each.
Select the carpet grade: budget covers basic loop or cut-pile; mid-range covers most popular residential styles; premium covers plush, wool, or designer carpets.
Click Calculate to see total square footage, square yards with 10% waste, and a cost range for your selected grade.
Add padding and installation costs to get your total installed price — typically 40–60% more than carpet cost alone.

The Formula Explained

Sq Ft = L × W × Rooms | Sq Yards = (Sq Ft ÷ 9) × 1.10 | Cost = Sq Yards × Price per Sq Yd

Carpet is sold by the square yard (1 sq yd = 9 sq ft), so the conversion divides by 9. The 10% waste factor accounts for cuts at walls, pattern matching, and the inevitable off-cuts when seaming rolls together. Carpet rolls are typically 12 feet wide — any room wider than 12 feet requires at least one seam, and rooms with unusual angles waste more material at the cuts.

Carpet Types & Buying Guide

Carpet pile type affects feel, durability, and cleaning ease — here's what to know before buying:

Cut Pile (Plush/Saxony): Soft, luxurious feel. Best for bedrooms and formal living areas. Shows footprints and vacuum marks. Not ideal for high-traffic hallways.
Loop Pile (Berber): Extremely durable, hides footprints well, easy to clean. Best for high-traffic areas, offices, and basements. Snags more easily than cut pile.
Cut-and-Loop (Frieze/Textured): Combines both pile types for a casual look that hides dirt well. Good all-around choice for family rooms and living areas.
Padding (Underlayment): Never skip quality padding. An 8-lb rebond pad at 7/16" thickness is the industry standard for most residential carpeting. Thicker padding (1/2") adds luxury feel; use 3/8" padding for Berber to prevent loop snagging.
Fiber types: Nylon is the most durable and stain-resistant (top choice for families with kids/pets). Polyester is softer and less expensive but less durable. Wool is premium — naturally stain-resistant and long-lasting but costs 3–5× more than synthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you install carpet over existing carpet?

Technically possible but not recommended — the combined layers create an unstable, spongy surface that compresses unevenly and accelerates wear on the new carpet. The old carpet also holds allergens and moisture beneath the new one. Professional installers will always recommend removing old carpet first, which typically costs $0.50–$1.50/sq yd for removal and disposal.

How long does carpet installation take?

A professional crew typically installs 200–400 sq ft per hour for standard rooms. A 3-bedroom home (roughly 800–1,200 sq ft of carpet) is usually completed in a single day. Stairs take longer — budget an extra 30–60 minutes per staircase. The crew will move furniture, remove old carpet, install tack strips, lay padding, and seam and stretch the new carpet.

What padding thickness should I choose?

The industry standard is 7/16" thick, 8-lb rebond padding for most residential cut-pile carpet. Go thicker (1/2") for plush or luxury carpet in bedrooms for added softness. For Berber and loop-pile carpet, use thinner padding (3/8" maximum) — thick padding allows loops to flex too much, causing the fibers to snag and pull. Most carpet warranties specify maximum padding thickness.

How do I measure an irregular or L-shaped room?

Break the L-shape into two rectangles, calculate each separately, and add them together. Measure each rectangle at its widest and longest point. Add 15% waste (instead of 10%) for L-shaped rooms to account for the extra seam and cuts at the jog. If a closet opens into the room, measure and add its floor area separately.

When should I replace carpet vs. deep clean it?

Replace if: matting or crushing is permanent (fibers no longer spring back), there are persistent odors from pet accidents that professional cleaning hasn't resolved (urine soaks into the padding and subfloor), or the carpet is 10–15 years old in high-traffic areas. Deep clean if: the carpet is less than 8 years old and still has good pile height — professional hot-water extraction removes 95% of allergens and extends carpet life 2–4 additional years.