How is carpet measured and sold?

Carpet is measured in square yards (1 sq yard = 9 sq ft) and comes in rolls that are 12 or 15 feet wide. The installer cuts the length needed from the roll. You cannot choose the width — you must work with the standard roll widths, which is why seam planning is important.

How much does carpet cost per square foot?

Carpet materials range from $1 to $12 per square foot depending on fiber type. Budget olefin carpet starts at $1–$2/sq ft, mid-range nylon is $3–$6/sq ft, and premium wool runs $8–$20/sq ft. Add $1–$3/sq ft for professional installation and $0.50–$1.50/sq ft for pad.

How much carpet pad do I need?

You need the same square footage of pad as carpet. Carpet pad comes in rolls, typically 6 feet wide. The installer will cut and seam the pad to cover the entire floor before laying carpet. Choose at least 7/16-inch thickness with 8 lb density for residential use.

How long does carpet last?

Most residential carpet lasts 5–15 years depending on fiber type, traffic, and maintenance. Nylon carpet in low-traffic areas can last 15–20 years. Polyester and olefin typically last 5–10 years. Regular vacuuming and professional cleaning every 12–18 months extends carpet life significantly.

Can I install carpet myself?

Carpet installation is one of the harder DIY flooring projects because it requires a power stretcher, seaming iron, and knee kicker. Poor stretching leads to wrinkles and buckling within months. Most homeowners hire professionals — installation typically costs $1–$3 per square foot.

How do I calculate carpet for stairs?

For stairs, measure the width of the staircase and multiply by 1.5 feet per step (accounting for the tread depth plus riser height plus tucking). A typical 13-step staircase with 36-inch wide stairs needs about 19.5 linear feet of carpet at 3 feet wide, or roughly 6.5 square yards.

Kostenloser Teppich-Rechner — m² & Laufmeter (2026)

Teppich-Rechner — kostenloses Tool zur Berechnung von Quadratmetern, Laufmetern & Unterlagevlies. Für 4 m und 5 m breite Rollen mit Nahtplanung.

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So verwenden Sie diesen Rechner

1Measure your room length and width in feet.
2Select the carpet roll width (12 ft is standard, 15 ft is also common).
3Click Calculate to get square yards of carpet and pad needed.
4Note the number of strips — each seam may need seam tape.

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Über dieses Material

Carpet is sold by the square yard (9 sq ft) and comes in rolls that are typically 12 or 15 feet wide. The most common fiber types are nylon (most durable, $3–$8/sq ft), polyester (soft and stain-resistant, $2–$6/sq ft), olefin/polypropylene (budget-friendly, $1–$4/sq ft), and wool (premium, $8–$20/sq ft). Carpet pad is essential and adds $0.50–$1.50 per square foot — an 8 lb, 7/16-inch thick pad is the minimum for residential use, while higher-density pads extend carpet life. Total installed carpet costs range from $3 to $12 per square foot including pad and labor. Carpet seams should run perpendicular to windows to minimize visibility. For stairs, add 1.5 linear feet per step for proper tucking. Commercial carpet tiles (typically 24x24 inches) are an alternative that eliminates waste from roll cuts and allows easy replacement of damaged sections. Most residential carpet carries a 10–25 year warranty depending on fiber type and construction.

Nächste Schritte:

Flooring Calculator →Tile Calculator →Laminate Calculator →

Einbautipps

•Always install carpet pad before carpet — it extends carpet life by 50% or more.
•Run seams perpendicular to the main light source (windows) to hide them.
•Stretch carpet properly with a power stretcher, not just a knee kicker, to prevent buckling.
•Use tackless strips around the perimeter, set 1/2 inch from the wall.
•Leave carpet and pad in the room for 24 hours before installation to acclimate.

Häufige Fehler, die Sie vermeiden sollten

Using a knee kicker only — power stretching is required for proper installation.
Choosing too thin a carpet pad — 7/16 inch, 8 lb density is the minimum.
Not accounting for pattern matching — patterned carpet requires 10–20% extra.
Running seams parallel to windows where light highlights the joint.
Forgetting to add carpet for closets, hallways, and stairs.

Kostenloser Teppich-Rechner — m² & Laufmeter (2026)

So verwenden Sie diesen Rechner

Über dieses Material

Einbautipps

Häufige Fehler, die Sie vermeiden sollten

Häufig gestellte Fragen

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