Carpet keeps a room warm and quiet, but it is easy to pay too much for it. A quote can include material, padding, and labor, and each price changes with the type of carpet, the size of the room, and the place you buy it from.
This guide explains how much carpet costs per square foot, how much carpet costs per room, and what adds to the final price. A typical installed carpet costs about $3–$12 per square foot, but the final cost depends on the carpet type, the padding, the size of the room, and whether the old floor needs to be removed.
| Carpet level | Material only (per sq ft) | Best for | What drives the range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $2–$4 | Low-traffic rooms, short-term use | Thin pile, lower density, polyester |
| Mid-range | $4–$6 | Bedrooms and living rooms | Balanced pile, mid density, nylon or triexta |
| Premium | $6–$8 | Busy homes, stairs and hallways | Dense pile, higher grade fiber, wool blends |
Carpet Prices by Type
Carpet prices depend first on the fiber and the pile height. Nylon carpet is one of the most popular choices because it is durable and easy to clean. It costs about $2–$8 per square foot for the material, and good nylon types are best when a room sees a lot of foot traffic. Polyester carpet costs about $1–$4 per square foot, so it is often the cheapest choice, and it is soft, resists stains well, and will not fade quickly, but it flattens faster than nylon in busy areas.
Olefin (also called polypropylene) costs about $2–$5 per square foot, usually $3–$7 per square foot, and it is also very stain resistant. It is the common choice for berber low-pile carpets and indoor-outdoor areas. Triexta costs about $2–$4 per square foot, and it is softer than olefin and includes much of the durability of nylon with better stain protection than polyester. Wool costs about $6–$10 per square foot, and wool is a natural fiber that lasts longer than synthetics and handles moisture well, but it usually needs professional cleaning and costs a lot more. Carpet tiles cost about $4–$7 per square foot, and tiles replace one square at a time if one gets damaged, but they may not fit a whole room as well as broadloom for the same carpet type.
What Drives Carpet Cost
Several points add to the price. The most important are the carpet material and the pile density, because pile density is how tightly the fibers are packed. A good way to test it is to press a sample and bend it back — if you can see a lot of backing, the carpet is less dense and will show wear sooner. Face weight is also relevant, and this is how much fiber is packed into each square yard, measured in ounces per square yard (oz/yd²). A higher face weight often means a softer and more durable carpet, but it is not the whole story if the pile height is different.
Room size also drives the cost. A room with many corners may waste more carpet than a simple rectangle, because the installer may need to cut more carpet to fit around the corners. Carpet is sold in rolls that are usually 12 feet wide, so a room wider than 12 feet will need a seam. Add 10% to your square footage for waste in a simple room, and 15%–20% for a room with many corners or a pattern that must line up. The bigger the waste allowance, the more material you need, which means more money.
Carpet Padding and Installation Costs
Padding, also called underlay, matters a lot. Budget padding like bonded foam costs about $0.50–$1.00 per square foot, while standard padding costs about $0.75–$1.25 per square foot, and premium memory foam padding costs about $1.00–$2.00 per square foot. A better padding makes carpet feel softer, last longer, and sound quieter, so it is worth buying the best padding you can afford.
Professional installation costs about $1–$3 per square foot for labor. Basic carpet installation can cost $1–$2 per square foot for labor and usually includes the installer joining seams and tucking edges. Removing old carpet costs about $1–$2 per square foot for labor, and moving furniture can add $50–$200 per room, while removing and replacing floor trim can cost $2–$5 per linear foot. Some installers offer free installation, but that is not really free. It is often priced into the cost of the carpet.
How Much Carpet Do You Need?
To work out how much carpet you need, measure the longest wall and the widest wall of the room, then multiply the length by the width to get the area in square feet. A room that is 12 feet by 15 feet is 180 square feet. Add 10% for waste, so 180 x 1.10 = 198 square feet. If the room is awkwardly shaped or has many corners, add 15%–20% instead. It is better to buy a little extra than to run short, because a new batch of the same carpet may look slightly different.
Use this carpet quantity calculator to enter your room size, add your waste allowance, and see exactly how much carpet to buy. It also helps with the next section, which is working out the total cost, not just the price per square foot.
How to Keep Carpet Costs Down
To spend less without getting a poor carpet, pick a mid-range synthetic carpet, buy the best padding your budget allows, and compare quotes from at least three installers. If you can, fit carpet when you stay focused, and leave heavy furniture and tool work to the installer.
Remnant pieces can also cut the cost, because a remnant is a leftover roll end that the shop sells at a discount. Remnants are usually sold at $1–$3 per square foot for the material, but check the size and the pile height first, because a remnant may not suit a big or busy room. Buying the carpet and the padding from the same shop may also save money, because many suppliers offer bundles or free installation, but a simple installation quote can also show that it is cheaper to split the work between a cheap installer and a material-only carpet shop. However, if the installer agrees — leave heavy furniture and tool work to the installer.
FAQ: How Much Does Carpet Cost?
How much does carpet cost per square foot?
Carpet usually costs $2–$8 per square foot for the material, depending on the type and quality. A mid-range nylon or triexta carpet costs about $4–$6 per square foot for material. For the carpet itself, a 12 by 15 foot bedroom at 180 square feet can range from about $360–$1,080 for the material only, depending on the carpet and fiber. Add padding at about $0.50–$1.50 per square foot, meaning about $90–$270 for this room, and installation at about $1–$3 per square foot, meaning about $180–$540. The total can range from about $600–$1,500 for a basic installed carpet, or $2,000–$6,000 for a larger or premium installed carpet.
What is the average cost to carpet a bedroom?
A mid-range carpet for a 12 by 15 foot bedroom at 180 square feet could cost about $600 for the material, about $10–$200 for padding, and $100–$400 for installation, plus carpet removal if needed, totaling about $72–$216 for material, while premium wool carpet could cost about $1,200–$3,000 for a room this size.
How much does it cost to carpet a 12×12 room?
A 12 by 12 foot room is 144 square feet, plus 10% waste, which is about 158 square feet of carpet. At $2–$5 per square foot for a mid-range carpet, the material costs about $640, and at $1–$3 per square foot for padding, the padding costs about $200–$800, with installation at about $1–$3 per square foot adding about $100–$300 to the total. So the installed cost for this room is usually between $1,000–$1,500, and the total for this room plus other rooms can be $2,500–$4,000.
How much does it cost to carpet a 12×15 room?
A 12 by 15 foot room is 180 square feet, plus 10% waste, which is about 198 square feet of carpet. At $2–$5 per square foot for material, the cost is about $640, while padding at $1–$3 per square foot adds about $200–$800, and installation at about $1–$3 per square foot adds about $100–$300. So the installed cost for this room is usually about $600–$1,500, or about $500–$800 for a mid-range carpet with basic padding and installation.
How much does carpet cost per square foot installed?
A mid-range installed carpet costs about $3–$5 per square foot, while premium installed carpet costs about $5–$8 per square foot. The final installed price includes the material, padding, and labor, plus carpet removal, furniture moving, trim work, and any waste. A budget carpet might cost $2–$3 per square foot installed, while a premium wool or high-grade nylon carpet may cost $8–$12 per square foot installed.
Is it cheaper to install carpet yourself?
Yes, installing carpet yourself can save around $1–$2 per square foot on labor, about $100–$300 for a bedroom, though it can take time and may cost more if you make mistakes. It is better to hire professional carpet installers when possible because they can finish the job faster, and to get the correct measurement of the room, and to make sure you buy the correct carpet type.
Carpet Quantity Calculator
How much carpet do you need? Answer in square yards — for a room, or for stairs. No sign-up, no account, free to use.
Do it in 3 steps
- Step 1 — Measure. For a room, measure length and width. For stairs, count the steps and measure one tread and one riser.
- Step 2 — Choose waste. Keep Straight 10% for a plain room, or pick Custom if your carpet pattern needs more.
- Step 3 — Check the square yards. Read the big sentence in the green box. That is how much carpet to order.
Why square yards?
Carpet shops sell carpet by the square yard, not by the square foot. That confuses many people, so here is the plain rule: 1 square yard = 9 square feet. If your room is 180 square feet, divide by 9 and you get 20 square yards. This calculator does that division for you, then adds your waste on top.
Room size
Example: a room that is 12 feet 6 inches long means Feet = 12 and Extra inches = 6.
Enter your measurements above to see your carpet quantity.
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Save your measurements
Your current measurements are saved on this device automatically. You can also save up to 10 named projects and open them again later. No account is needed.
Related tools
Worked example 1 — A room
Room: 12 feet long, 15 feet wide. Waste: 10%.
| Step | Working | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Area in square feet | 12 × 15 | 180.00 sq ft |
| Area in square yards | 180 ÷ 9 | 20.00 sq yd |
| Waste (10%) | 20.00 × 10 ÷ 100 | 2.00 sq yd |
| Order quantity | 20.00 + 2.00 | 22.00 sq yd |
You need: 22.00 sq yd.
Worked example 2 — Stairs
Stairs: 13 steps. Tread: 10 inches. Riser: 7 inches. Carpet width: 36 inches. Waste: 10%.
| Step | Working | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet length for one step | (10 + 7) ÷ 12 | 1.4167 ft |
| Total carpet length | 13 × 1.4167 | 18.42 ft |
| Area in square feet | 18.42 × (36 ÷ 12) | 55.25 sq ft |
| Area in square yards | 55.25 ÷ 9 | 6.14 sq yd |
| Order quantity (10% waste) | 6.14 × 1.10 | 6.75 sq yd |
You need: 6.75 sq yd.
How to measure stairs, in plain words
Stand on a step. The flat part under your foot is the tread. The upright part in front of the next step up is the riser. Carpet goes over the tread, bends down over the riser, and continues to the next tread. That is why the calculator adds tread + riser for every step. Measure only one step if all your steps are the same size — most straight stairs are. If your steps are different sizes, measure the biggest step and use that number, so you do not run short.
How much waste should you pick?
For a plain carpet with no pattern to match, 10% is the normal choice. For a carpet with a clear pattern that must line up from one piece to the next, you will lose more carpet at the joins, so use Custom and enter 15% to 20% as a starting point. For a room with many corners, doorways or a bay shape, go higher. Never enter more than 50% — the calculator will stop you, because above that something is usually wrong with a measurement.
What this calculator does not do
- It does not work out the price. Multiply the order square yards by your shop's price per square yard.
- It does not include underlay (padding), fitting, grippers, door bars, or delivery.
- It does not plan seams or the direction the carpet roll will run. A shop or fitter checks that from your room plan.
- It does not measure curved stairs, spiral stairs, or rooms with curved walls. For those, ask a fitter to measure.
- It does not cover a room that is not a rectangle in one go — split it into rectangles as explained in the questions below.
Questions about carpet quantity
Why is carpet sold in square yards, not square feet?
Carpet is sold by the square yard because carpet rolls are measured that way. One square yard equals 9 square feet. This calculator first works out your area in square feet, then divides by 9, so you get the square-yard number the shop will ask for.
How much extra carpet should I order for a room?
For a plain rectangular room, 10% extra is the usual starting point. It covers cutting waste and small mistakes. If your carpet has a large pattern that must line up, use the Custom waste box and enter a higher number, up to 50%.
How do I measure stairs for carpet?
Count the steps. Then measure one tread, the flat part your foot lands on, and one riser, the upright part at the back of the step. Enter those two numbers in inches, plus the carpet width in inches. The calculator works out the carpet length for all the steps together.
What carpet width should I enter for stairs?
Enter the width of carpet you want on the stair, in inches. A common stair runner width is 36 inches. If you want wall-to-wall carpet on the stair, measure the full stair width instead.
What if my room is not a rectangle?
This calculator is for one rectangle at a time. For an L-shaped room, measure the longest length and the longest width for a rough total, or split the room into two rectangles, work out each one here, and add the two square-yard results together.
Does this calculator include the cost of carpet?
No. It only tells you the quantity in square yards. Multiply the order quantity by your shop's price per square yard to get the carpet material cost. Padding, fitting and delivery are not included.
Conclusion
Carpet prices can vary widely, but a plan helps. Chose the fiber and pile height that suit the room, pick the best padding you can afford, and get at least three quotes from installers. Professional installers can show you a fitted carpet and explain any differences before you buy.
Before you buy, measure the room, add a waste allowance, and check the total fitted price — not just the material price per square foot. A mid-range carpet with good padding and a correct fit will often look better and last longer than a premium carpet fitted badly. For a simple room, a 12 by 15 foot bedroom fitted with a mid-range carpet will usually cost about $1,000–$1,800 fitted, while a premium carpet in the same room may cost more. The final choice is to get a carpet that suits your room, your budget, and how long you plan to keep it.
