CarpetCalc Tip

Carpet calculator

Carpet comes off a roll, usually 12 feet wide, so you buy whole strips, not just the floor area. Enter the room size and CarpetCalc lays the strips both ways, picks the direction that uses less carpet, and shows the square yards and linear feet to order, the number of seams, the pad, the tack strip and the cost. A few inches are added to each strip for trimming at the walls. The example is a 14 × 18 ft room on a 12 ft roll.

Cutting and trim settings
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    Most stores quote carpet per square foot or per square yard; one square yard is 9 square feet.

    How the carpet calculator works

    CarpetCalc works out both layouts. Strips running along one side are that side plus the trimming allowance long; the number of strips is the other side ÷ the roll width, rounded up. Linear feet = strips × strip length, carpet area = linear feet × roll width, and square yards = square feet ÷ 9. It keeps the layout with fewer linear feet (or fewer seams on a tie). Pad = floor area plus the extra you set; tack strip = perimeter − doorways. For stairs, each piece is tread + riser + wrap long, and as many pieces as fit side by side across the roll are cut from each row.

    Carpet bought from a 12 ft roll (6″ trimming allowance)

    RoomFloorCarpet boughtSeams
    10 × 12 ft13.33 sq yd14 sq yd (10.5 linear ft)0
    12 × 12 ft16 sq yd16.67 sq yd (12.5 linear ft)0
    12 × 15 ft20 sq yd20.67 sq yd (15.5 linear ft)0
    12 × 18 ft24 sq yd24.67 sq yd (18.5 linear ft)0
    14 × 16 ft24.89 sq yd38.67 sq yd (29 linear ft)1
    16 × 20 ft35.56 sq yd44 sq yd (33 linear ft)1

    Real layouts also depend on pile direction, pattern repeat, seam placement and how offcuts can fill closets and doorways, so a store or installer may plan the cuts differently. Patterned carpet needs extra for matching the repeat. Results are estimates: have the room measured before you order.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much carpet do I need for a 14 × 18 room?

    The room is 252 sq ft (28 sq yd), but from a 12 ft roll you need two strips 14½ ft long: 29 linear ft or about 38.7 sq yd, with one seam. A 15 ft roll covers it in one piece of 18½ ft.

    Why do I need more carpet than the room area?

    Because the roll has a fixed width. When the room is wider than the roll you need a second full-length strip, and part of it is cut off as an offcut.

    How much extra carpet for trimming?

    About 3 inches at each end of every strip, 6 inches in total, which CarpetCalc adds by default.

    Is CarpetCalc free?

    Yes, with no sign-up or ads.

    Are my measurements saved?

    Yes, in this browser only.

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