Carpet is sold by the square yard, but most people think in square feet. This calculator converts your room dimensions into square yards and adds overage for seams, pattern matching, and waste so you order the right amount the first time.
Room Dimensions
ft
ft
Scenario: You're carpeting a 13 ft x 11 ft den with 10% overage for seams and waste.
Result: Room area is 143 sq ft. With 10% overage that's 157.3 sq ft, which equals 17.5 square yards of carpet.
A 12x12 room is 144 sq ft, which is 16 sq yards. With 10% overage for seams and waste, order 18 square yards. Carpet comes in 12-foot-wide rolls, so a 12x12 room can often be done with no seams.
Divide your square footage by 9. There are 9 square feet in one square yard (3 ft x 3 ft = 9 sq ft). So 180 sq ft / 9 = 20 sq yards.
Add 10% for most rooms. If the room has closets, angles, or you're matching a pattern, go 15-20%. Standard carpet rolls are 12 feet wide, so room dimensions affect waste from roll width too.
Most carpet comes in 12-foot-wide rolls, though some styles are available in 15-foot widths. If your room is wider than the roll, you'll need a seam, which increases waste. Plan seam placement in low-traffic areas.
Want to learn more before you start your project?
Read the full guide →
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