Carpet Calculator
Square yards of carpet and pad for a room.
Carpet needed
20.5 sq yd
Floor area
168 sq ft
Carpet to buy
20.5 sq yd185 sq ft incl. 10% waste
Carpet pad
168 sq ft
Carpet cost (est.)
$462~$2.50/sq ft builder grade
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Carpet is cozy and forgiving, but a tight, ripple-free install relies on stretching — which takes a power stretcher and some technique. Measuring and ordering with the right waste is the part every homeowner should get right before the pros (or you) lay it.
DifficultyAdvanced
TimeA day per room for a confident DIYer with rented tools
SkillsStretch-in carpet needs a power stretcher and seam iron — rent them and watch your technique
Tools you'll need
- Knee kicker and power stretcher (rent)
- Carpet seam iron and seam tape
- Tackless strip and tucking tool
- Utility/loop-pile knife
- Stair tool
Step by step
- Measure and order with wasteCarpet comes in 12 ft rolls, so plan seam placement and add ~10% for cuts and pattern match.
- Install tackless strip and padNail tackless strip around the perimeter (pins toward the wall), then staple down pad, butting — not overlapping — pad seams.
- Rough-cut and positionLay the carpet in, letting it climb the walls a few inches, and rough-cut to fit.
- Seam itJoin pieces with hot-melt seam tape and a seam iron, keeping pile direction consistent across the seam.
- Stretch and trimPower-stretch the carpet tight onto the tackless strip (kicker for tight spots), then trim and tuck the edges.
Common mistakes
Not enough waste ordered
Account for the 12 ft roll width, seam placement, and ~10% extra so you're not short mid-room.
Skipping the power stretch
A knee kicker alone leaves the carpet loose, and it ripples within months. Power-stretch it tight.
Pad seams under carpet seams
Offset pad seams from carpet seams so they don't telegraph and wear through.
Safety
- The seam iron is hot — keep it on its rest.
- Knee kickers are hard on the hip/knee; pace yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How much carpet do I need?
Enter the room size above — the calculator adds 10% waste and returns square yards plus pad.
Can I install carpet myself?
Yes, but a tight job needs a rented power stretcher and a seam iron. Many people DIY the measuring and let a pro stretch and seam.
Do I need new pad?
Almost always — fresh pad is cheap and makes new carpet feel better and last longer.
Next steps for this project
Sources & references
- Carpet and Rug Institute installation standards