Free estimate — verify against local code before building
Carpet Calculator
Compare roll directions and turn a room measurement into carpet, pad, tack-strip, seam, and cost quantities.
What this calculator includes
Plan a rectangular broadloom-carpet installation by testing strips in either room direction instead of dividing floor area by a generic coverage number. The calculator shows roll width, strip runs, seams, linear yards, carpet cushion, tack strip, seam tape, editable waste, supplier rounding, and optional material cost so an installer can review the takeoff before anything is cut.
How to use this carpet calculator
- 01
Measure one carpet area
Enter the longest finished length and width. Split L-shaped rooms, closets, stairs, and connected spaces into an installer-reviewed layout rather than adding area alone.
- 02
Enter the actual roll width
Use the full manufactured width, commonly 12 or 15 feet. The calculator compares both strip directions or follows the direction you choose.
- 03
Edit packaging assumptions
Set waste, supplier order increment, pad coverage, tack-strip length, seam-tape length, and doorway deductions from the products and installation plan.
- 04
Price the takeoff
Add optional carpet, pad, tack-strip, and seam-tape prices. Quantity results remain available when every cost field is blank.
Worked example
Example: 14 ft by 20 ft room with 12 ft carpet
Best fit uses two 14 ft strips running across the 20 ft dimension, or 28 linear ft before allowance. With 10% waste and half-foot ordering, the purchase is 31 linear ft, or 10.33 linear yd, plus 14 ft of planned seam.
Practical buying and overage guidance
Ask the retailer or installer to confirm roll width, dye lot, pile direction, seam locations, pattern match, pad warranty, transition method, tack-strip type, delivery, removal, furniture handling, and whether the quote is priced by square foot, square yard, or linear cut.
Continue the project
Frame & Finish a Room
Plan wall framing, insulation, drywall, paint, flooring, baseboard, trim, materials, supplies, and contractor pricing in one workflow.
Open the project workflow →Calculation sources and review
Primary references and formula assumptions are linked so you can verify them against the selected product, supplier, and adopted local requirements.
Internal formula review completed July 13, 2026. What this review covers
- Carpet and Rug Institute - Installation Standards (opens in a new tab)
Broadloom seam, cushion, tack-strip, and installation-system guidance.
- CRI 105 Standard (opens in a new tab)
Residential broadloom installation planning and seam-treatment context.
Frequently asked questions
Why is carpet ordered in linear yards instead of room square footage?
Broadloom is cut at a fixed roll width. A room may require multiple full-width strips, so purchased area can be greater than measured floor area even before a waste allowance.
How does the calculator choose carpet direction?
Best fit compares strips running with the room length and width, then selects the lower linear-foot order, using shorter total seams as a tiebreaker. Pile direction, pattern match, traffic, lighting, and connected rooms can require another layout.
Does the result include pattern repeat?
No automatic pattern-repeat allowance is added. Increase waste or use an installer cut plan based on the exact repeat, match type, roll sequence, and room connections.
How much carpet pad is included?
Pad uses measured floor area plus the entered allowance and rounds to the coverage entered for one roll. Verify cushion type, thickness, density, and carpet-warranty requirements.
Can I use this for stairs?
Not reliably. Stair wrapping, landings, pile direction, seams, waterfall versus upholstered installation, and pattern matching need a stair-specific measure and cut plan.