Carpet Calculator
A 12x15 ft room requires 20 square yards of carpet (180 sq ft). With standard 12-ft wide rolls, you'll have minimal waste for this room. Including carpet pad and installation, expect to pay $720-$2,100 total ($4-$12/sq ft installed).
Carpet Calculator
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How to Calculate Carpet
Measure room length and width in feet, then divide total square footage by 9 to convert to square yards. The critical factor is carpet roll width: standard rolls are 12 or 15 feet wide.
| Room Width vs Roll Width | Waste Estimate | Seams |
|---|---|---|
| Room width <= 12 ft | Minimal (5%) | None |
| Room width 12-15 ft | Use 15 ft roll (5%) | None |
| Room width > 15 ft | 10-15% | 1+ seams |
| L-shaped room | 15-20% | 1+ seams |
| Carpet Grade | Price per sq ft | Price per sq yd | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Builder grade | $1-$2 | $9-$18 | 5 yrs |
| Mid-range | $2-$5 | $18-$45 | 10-15 yrs |
| Premium/luxury | $5-$12 | $45-$108 | 15-25 yrs |
| Additional Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet pad (8-lb) | $0.50-$1.50/sq ft | Required under most carpet |
| Tack strips | $0.10-$0.25/ft | Room perimeter |
| Seam tape | $10-$20/roll | Per seam |
| Transition strips | $5-$15/each | Doorways |
| Installation labor | $1-$3/sq ft | Professional |
Tips
- Always round up to the next full square yard when ordering
- If your room is 13 feet wide, choose a 15-ft roll to avoid seams
- Carpet seams should run perpendicular to the primary window to hide the joint
- Keep leftover carpet for patching; stains and damage happen
- Don't cheap out on carpet pad: 8-lb density minimum for living areas, 6-lb for bedrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert square feet to square yards for carpet?
Divide total square feet by 9. A 12x15 ft room is 180 sq ft / 9 = 20 square yards. When ordering, always round up to full square yards and add 10% for waste and seam matching.
How much does carpet installation cost?
Professional carpet installation costs $4-$12 per square foot including carpet, pad, and labor. Budget carpet with pad and install runs $4-$6/sq ft. Mid-range is $6-$9/sq ft. Premium is $9-$12+/sq ft.
What is the standard carpet roll width?
Standard carpet roll widths are 12 feet and 15 feet. Some specialty carpets come in 13.5 ft widths. Choosing a roll width that matches or exceeds your room width eliminates seams.
How much extra carpet should I order?
Order 10% extra for rectangular rooms with no seams and 15-20% extra for rooms requiring seams, L-shapes, or pattern-match carpet. Patterned carpet requires the most waste for alignment at seams.
Do I need carpet padding?
Yes, carpet pad is required for virtually all broadloom carpet installations. It extends carpet life, improves comfort, and provides insulation. Only glue-down commercial carpet and carpet tiles skip padding.
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