Carpet Calculator

Determine exact carpet square yards, 12-foot vs 15-foot roll cuts, pile direction matching, and padding requirements.

Room Length (Feet)

Room Width (Feet)

Carpet Roll Width

Seam & Pile Waste Factor

Installed Carpet Cost ($/sq yd)

Total Carpet to Order

32.2 Sq Yd

290 square feet (Includes 15% Waste)

Est. Material Cost $1,030 Carpet + Pad estimate

Padding Rolls 1 Roll Standard 30 sq yd roll

Pile Direction Rule: All carpet sections in a room must have their pile (nap) facing the exact same direction toward the primary room entrance. Cross-seaming perpendicular cuts makes adjacent pieces appear as entirely different color shades.

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How Carpet Square Yards and Seams Are Calculated

Carpet is priced and sold in Square Yards (1 square yard = 9 square feet). However, carpet comes on fixed-width continuous rolls (most commonly 12 feet wide):

Net Square Feet = Room Length × Room Width
Square Yards = (Net Square Feet × Seam Waste Factor) / 9

If your room is 14 feet wide and you buy a 12-foot roll, you must purchase a second roll strip to fill the 2-foot gap, generating scrap waste. Ordering a 15-foot wide roll in a 14-foot room eliminates seams entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many square feet are in a square yard?

Exactly 9 square feet. To convert square feet to square yards, divide by 9 (e.g. 180 sq ft / 9 = 20 sq yds).

How big is a standard roll of carpet padding?

A standard contractor roll of carpet cushion (rebond padding) measures 6 feet wide by 45 feet long, covering 270 square feet (30 square yards).

What is the best carpet pad thickness for residential homes?

7/16-inch thick with an 8-lb density is the optimal residential specification. Thicker pads (over 1/2 inch) void most carpet manufacturer warranties because they over-flex backing seams.