How Much Carpet Do I Need?
Calculate carpet needed for one room or multiple rooms. Includes waste factor for cuts and seams.
How to Calculate Carpet
Multiply room length by width to get square footage. Add 10% for waste. Divide total square feet by 9 to convert to square yards — the standard unit carpet is sold in. Example: a 12×14 ft bedroom = 168 sq ft. With 10% waste = 185 sq ft ÷ 9 = 20.6 → order 21 square yards.
Carpet comes in standard roll widths of 12 feet (and sometimes 15 feet). If your room is wider than 12 feet, you'll need a seam — this adds to waste and cost. A 14×16 room requires two widths of 12-ft carpet to cover the 14-ft dimension, meaning you're paying for more carpet than you need on one side.
Carpet Types and What They Cost
| Carpet Type | Cost per Sq Yd | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Polyester (basic) | $10–$20/sq yd | Low-traffic bedrooms |
| Nylon (mid-range) | $20–$40/sq yd | Most rooms, good durability |
| Nylon (premium) | $40–$70/sq yd | High-traffic areas, stairs |
| Wool | $60–$100+/sq yd | Luxury applications |
| Berber / Loop pile | $15–$35/sq yd | Offices, basements |
Installation labor adds $3–$8 per square yard on top of material cost. Most installers charge a minimum of $100–$200 for small jobs. Moving furniture is sometimes included, sometimes extra — confirm before booking.
Carpet Padding: Don't Skip It
Carpet padding is installed under the carpet and is not optional — it extends carpet life by absorbing foot traffic stress, improves comfort underfoot, and provides thermal and sound insulation. Standard padding runs $0.50–$1.50 per square foot (not yard). Premium memory foam padding costs $1.50–$3.00 per square foot and makes a noticeable difference in feel.
Thicker padding (7/16") is softer underfoot; thinner padding (3/8") is recommended for Berber and loop-pile carpets, which can stretch and wrinkle over thick padding. Your carpet manufacturer's warranty usually specifies a maximum padding thickness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square yards of carpet do I need for a 12x14 room?
A 12x14 ft room = 168 sq ft. With 10% waste = 185 sq ft. Divide by 9 = 20.6 square yards. Order 21 square yards to be safe.
Why is carpet sold in square yards instead of square feet?
Carpet has been sold by the square yard as an industry standard for decades. To compare prices, divide the square yard price by 9 to get the per-square-foot equivalent.
How much extra carpet should I order for waste?
Add 10% waste for simple rectangular rooms under 12 feet wide. Add 15% for rooms requiring seams (over 12 feet wide) or L-shaped rooms. Add 15–20% for patterned carpet that must align at seams.
What is the 12-foot roll width rule for carpet?
Carpet typically comes in 12-foot wide rolls. If your room is wider than 12 feet, a seam is required — and you pay for the full 12-foot width on both sides of the cut, which increases waste significantly.
Do I need to include closets when ordering carpet?
Yes. Measure closets separately and add them to the room total before calculating. Forgotten closets are one of the most common reasons people run short on carpet.