Carpet Calculator
Enter your room size, a waste percentage, and an optional price per square foot to get the carpet square footage and material cost.
What your result means
Total square footage is what you buy, room plus waste. The cost is material only at your price per square foot; leave the price at zero if you just want the square footage. For an installed price with labor, use the Carpet Installation Cost Calculator. Buy from a single dye lot so the color matches.
How to use this calculator
- Measure room dimensions.
- Add waste %.
- Optional: enter price per sqft.
- Read total sqft and (if priced) total cost.
- Buy from one dye lot.
The formula
Room area is length times width. Add the waste percentage for the amount to buy, then multiply by your price per square foot for material cost.
Worked example
Say you've got a 12 by 14 ft room, 10% waste, at $4 a square foot. That's 168 sq ft of floor, 184.8 with waste, and about $739 in carpet.
Carpet quick reference
| Item | Typical |
|---|---|
| Roll widths | 12 ft, 15 ft |
| Material | $2 – $5 / sq ft |
| Rebond pad | ~$0.50 / sq ft |
| Install labor | $1 – $2 / sq ft |
Tips & gotchas
- Carpet usually comes in 12 ft and 15 ft roll widths.
- Plan any seams for low-traffic areas.
- Buy the pad separately; 1/2 inch, 8 lb density is typical.
- Install labor adds about $1 to $2 a square foot.
- For full installed pricing, use the Carpet Installation Cost Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How is carpet sold?
By the square foot, but the rolls come in 12 or 15 ft widths.
How much carpet do I need?
Room square footage plus about 10% waste. Plan seams for low-traffic spots.
Should I buy the pad separately?
Usually yes. A standard rebond pad runs about $0.50 a square foot.
How long does carpet last?
Cheap carpet 3 to 5 years, mid-grade 10 to 15, premium 20-plus.
Can I install carpet myself?
It's possible but tough; you'll need to rent a power stretcher.
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Estimates only — see our full disclaimer.