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Construction & Home

Carpet Calculator (Square Yards & Cost)

Calculate carpet area needed in square yards, including waste, plus padding and total installed cost.

Square yards (with waste)
22.0
Carpet
$770
Pad
$900
Total installed
$1,780

What this calculates

Carpet is priced and sold by the square yard in the US (square meter elsewhere). Stairs, hallways, and odd rooms generate more waste than open spaces. This calculator computes area, applies a waste allowance, adds padding, and estimates total installed cost — what you'll actually pay the installer.

Formula & how it works

Square feet = length × width. Square yards = sq ft ÷ 9. Add waste (10 % open room, 15-20 % with stairs/halls). Total cost = (sq yd × carpet_price + sq ft × padding_price + sq yd × install_labor). Tax, removal of old carpet, and stair charges often extra.

Worked example

15 × 12 ft living room. Area = 180 sq ft = 20 sq yd. + 10 % waste = 22 sq yd. At $35/sq yd carpet + $5/sq ft padding (180 sq ft = $900) + $5/sq yd install (110): total ≈ 22 × 35 + 900 + 110 = $770 + $900 + $110 = $1,780. Adjust prices for your local market.

Frequently asked questions

Common carpet prices?

Builder grade $1-2/sq ft. Mid-grade $3-6. Premium / wool $8-15+. Stain-resistant nylon mid-tier is most common for living rooms. Berber for low-traffic, plush for bedrooms.

Pad worth it?

Always. Cheap pad ($1/sq ft) extends carpet life 30-50 %. Skipping pad voids most warranties. Memory foam pad ($2-3) feels luxurious; thicker pad helps insulation.

Install costs?

$0.50-1.50/sq ft typically. Add $1-2/sq ft for stairs (each step). Old carpet removal: $0.50-1/sq ft. Tearing up tack strip and disposing adds another fee in some markets.

When to replace?

Average carpet life: 7-15 years depending on quality + traffic. Signs: matted high-traffic areas, persistent odors, ripples, tears at seams. Allergy concerns also push earlier replacement.

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