Carpet Calculator
Find out how much carpet you need in square feet, square yards, and linear feet. Built-in seam logic for rooms wider than the standard 12-foot broadloom roll.
10% typical; 15% for patterned carpet or stairs.
Results
Carpet is priced per square yard in the US. Multiple strips need seaming — ask the installer to plan seams away from high-traffic areas and natural light.
Why Carpet Math Is Different
Carpet behaves differently from tile or hardwood because it comes off a roll in fixed widths, not in identical units like planks or tiles. Most US broadloom carpet is 12 feet wide. If your room is wider than the roll, you need a seam — and seams are something a thoughtful installer plans carefully.
Roll width matters more than total area. A 13 × 16 ft room can be carpeted with a single strip from a 13.5 ft roll, but the same 13 × 16 ft area with a 12 ft roll needs two strips and a seam. The wider roll is often the better buy even if the per-yard price is slightly higher.
Pile direction is one-way. All carpet strips in a room should run in the same direction so the pile catches light identically. This rule dictates strip orientation and sometimes increases waste.
Carpet Cost in 2026
US carpet pricing as published by The Home Depot, Lowe's, and major flooring chains:
- Builder-grade nylon: $1–3 per sq ft material, $3–6 installed.
- Mid-range plush or Berber: $3–6 per sq ft material, $6–9 installed.
- Premium wool or solution-dyed nylon: $6–12 per sq ft material, $10–15 installed.
- Carpet pad: $0.30–1.00 per sq ft, recommended on every install.
Always confirm if installation includes tear-out, haul-away, and tack strip — these can add $0.50–1.50 per sq ft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Calculators
Other surface and material calculators for the rest of your renovation.
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Calculate the square footage of any rectangular space using feet or meters.
Room Square Footage Calculator
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Estimate flooring material needed with industry-standard waste percentages.
Paint Coverage Calculator
Calculate how many gallons of paint you need based on wall area and coats.
Tile Calculator
Compute total tiles, boxes, and waste for floor or wall tile projects.
Wallpaper Calculator
Calculate wall area and the number of wallpaper rolls needed for a room.
Sources
The figures on this page are based on data from these authoritative industry sources.
- The Home Depot Buyer’s Guides — Retail price ranges for flooring, paint, and finishing materials.