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.

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.