Carpet Calculator
Carpet is sold by the square yard (9 sq ft) off rolls 12 or 15 feet wide. Enter your room size and get both numbers — plus the linear feet to check against the roll. Runs 100% in your browser.
Carpet Calculator
About this carpet calculator
Two numbers matter when you buy carpet: square yards (how it is priced — divide square feet by 9) and linear feet off the roll (how it is actually cut). Carpet comes off rolls 12 feet wide (15 feet for some products), so a room wider than the roll needs multiple strips seamed together — and seams should run toward the room's main light source so they disappear.
Waste is where carpet estimates go wrong. A perfect rectangle wastes little, but closets, angles, and pattern matching eat carpet fast: patterned carpet needs extra for pattern alignment, just like wallpaper. Ten percent covers most rectangular rooms; go to 15% for irregular shapes or patterns.
Order by the square-yard figure, but check the linear feet against the roll before you commit — if your room needs 1.2 strips, you are paying for 2 full strips of length. Rotating the layout (running strips along the other dimension) sometimes saves a strip; this calculator runs strips across the width you entered.
How to use
- Measure your room length and width in feet, including closets you want carpeted.
- Choose the roll width your product comes in (12 ft is standard).
- Pick a waste allowance — 10% for rectangles, 15% for irregular rooms or patterns.
- Optionally enter the price per square yard, then press Calculate.
Good to know
- Assumes rectangular rooms; L-shaped rooms should be split into rectangles and calculated separately, then added.
- Seam placement and pile direction affect real-world waste; an installer may adjust the layout.
- Covers carpet only — padding, tack strips, and installation are separate costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much carpet do I need for a 12x12 room?
A 12×12 room is 144 sq ft = 16 sq yd exact. With a 10% waste allowance, order 18 sq yd — one 12-ft strip, 12 linear feet off the roll.
How many square feet are in a square yard of carpet?
9 square feet. Divide your room's square footage by 9 to get square yards.
How wide does carpet come?
Standard carpet rolls are 12 feet wide; some products come 15 feet wide. Wider rooms need multiple seamed strips.
How much waste should I add for carpet?
10% for simple rectangular rooms, 15% for irregular shapes, closets, or patterned carpet that needs pattern matching.
Do I need carpet padding too?
Yes — padding is sold separately, usually also by the square yard, and it extends carpet life noticeably. Budget it alongside the carpet.