Carpet Calculator
Carpet is sold by the square yard, not square foot. Enter your room's square footage to find the square yards needed with a 10% waste buffer, the total square feet with waste, and the room's exact square yardage. Avoid buying too little — or too much.
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Formula
Sq Yards = (Room Sq Ft × 1.1) ÷ 9
There are 9 square feet in one square yard (3 ft × 3 ft). Multiplying room area by 1.1 adds 10% for seams, cuts, pattern matching, and waste. Dividing by 9 converts to square yards, which is how carpet is priced and sold. The exact room square yardage (no waste) is provided for reference.
How to use the Carpet Calculator
- 1
Enter your room area (sq ft)
- 2
Read your results instantly
Results update in real time as you type.
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Why Carpet Is Sold in Square Yards
Carpet has been sold by the square yard in the US for decades, a legacy of manufacturing in 12-foot-wide rolls (which equals 4/3 yards wide, making square yards convenient). Many retailers are shifting to square feet for consumer clarity, so confirm the unit your supplier uses before ordering. This calculator gives you both, so you are covered either way.
Seams, Patterns, and Waste
The 10% waste factor covers seams where carpet strips meet, trimming at walls, and minor damage. Patterned carpet requires additional waste for pattern matching — a large repeat pattern (12+ inches) can add another 10-15% waste. L-shaped rooms and rooms wider than the carpet roll (typically 12 feet) always require seams, increasing waste further. For complex rooms, add 15% instead of 10%.
Tips & Insights
Ask About Roll Width
Standard carpet rolls are 12 or 15 feet wide. If your room is 14 feet wide, a 15-foot roll minimizes seams. Ask your installer which roll width is most efficient for your layout.
Get a Professional Measurement
Many carpet retailers offer free professional measuring. The installer will account for seams and direction — their measurement may differ slightly from this estimate.
Factor in Stairs
Stairs are measured separately. Count each step as approximately 2.5-3 sq ft (tread + riser). A 15-step staircase uses about 37-45 sq ft.
Worked Examples
200 Sq Ft Bedroom
24.4 sq yards needed (with waste), 22.2 sq yards exact.
400 Sq Ft Living Room
48.9 sq yards needed (with waste), 44.4 sq yards exact.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many square feet are in a square yard?
9 square feet. A square yard is 3 feet × 3 feet = 9 square feet.
Why do I need 10% extra carpet?
Seams, trimming at walls and doorways, and pattern matching all waste carpet. Ten percent is the standard industry buffer for simple rooms.
What about patterned carpet?
Large-repeat patterns can waste 10-20% extra for matching. Ask your supplier for the pattern repeat and add that extra percentage to your estimate.
Do I measure inside or outside of closets?
Include closets you want carpeted. Measure the closet floor area and add it to the room area before entering.
Can I use this for area rugs?
Area rugs are sized and sold in pre-made dimensions, so you do not need a calculator — browse standard rug sizes (5×8, 8×10, 9×12 feet) and choose the closest fit.
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