Carpet Buying Guide

Carpet is sold by the square foot from rolls of fixed widths, so the layout across those rolls drives your quantity.

Measure the Room

Length × width gives the floor area. Add closets and alcoves, and measure to the walls rather than to the baseboard.

Area = length × width

Plan Around the Roll Width

Carpet comes in rolls (commonly 12 ft wide). You buy the length of roll that covers the room, so a 10 ft × 14 ft room costs a 12 ft × 14 ft piece = 168 sq ft, not 140.

Add Waste

Add 10% for seams, pattern matching and cuts.
Patterned carpet needs extra for pattern repeat.
Seams should run away from doorway traffic when possible.

Don't Forget Padding

Padding is sold separately by area. Buy exactly the room area, and check the padding density suits the carpet type.

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