Carpet Calculator
Estimate how many square yards of carpet you need from your room's length and width, plus a waste allowance for seams and offcuts.
How this calculator works
Carpet is quoted and sold by the square yard, where 1 square yard equals 9 square feet. This calculator converts your room’s area from square feet to square yards to match how carpet is priced.
Formula: Square yards = Room area (sq ft) ÷ 9 sq ft per sq yd.
Worked example
A room 15 ft long x 12 ft wide (180 sq ft):
- Area: 15 x 12 = 180 sq ft
- Square yards: 180 ÷ 9 = 20.00 sq yd
- At $25/sq yd, that’s $500.00 before waste.
Coverage reference
| Room area | Carpet needed (sq yd) |
|---|---|
| 120 sq ft | 13.33 sq yd |
| 180 sq ft | 20.00 sq yd |
| 300 sq ft | 33.33 sq yd |
How to measure your room
Measure the length and width of the room in feet, including closets that will be carpeted. Because carpet rolls are 12 ft wide, rooms wider than that need seams — the square-yardage this calculator gives you is a solid material estimate, but the waste toggle only approximates the extra roll-width and seam loss a real cut sheet accounts for.
Frequently asked questions
Why is carpet measured in square yards instead of square feet?
Carpet is manufactured and sold by the square yard (9 sq ft) rather than the square foot. This calculator converts your room's area to square yards automatically so the number matches how your supplier will quote the job.
Is the square-yard total the same as what I'll actually order?
It's a close estimate, but not exact. Carpet rolls come 12 ft wide, and installers cut around that roll width — so real orders often round up to account for seams, pattern matching, and unusable offcuts, especially in rooms wider than 12 ft.
How much waste should I add for carpet?
10% is a reasonable starting allowance for a simple rectangular room. Rooms with lots of closets, stairs, or an odd shape can waste significantly more because of how carpet rolls are cut — ask your installer for a cut-sheet estimate before ordering for anything but a simple room.
Does this include carpet padding?
No — this calculator prices carpet material only. Padding is typically sold and estimated the same way (per square yard) but priced separately, so add its cost using the same square-yardage figure this calculator gives you.
What's a typical price per square yard for carpet?
This defaults to $25/sq yd as a placeholder covering mid-range residential carpet. Budget carpet can run under $15/sq yd while premium or specialty carpet can exceed $50/sq yd — swap in your supplier's actual quote.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.