Carpet Installation Cost Calculator
Estimate the total cost to carpet a room. Enter dimensions, carpet, padding and labor prices to get square footage, cost per square foot and a full total.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
Show the formula & steps
How the Carpet Installation Cost Calculator Works
Carpeting a room involves three costs that all scale with floor area: the carpet itself, the padding underneath, and the installer’s labor. This calculator combines them into one clear total. Enter your room length and width, the price per square foot for carpet, padding and labor, and a waste percentage, and it returns square footage, cost per square foot, and the full installed total.
The Formula
Floor area (sq ft) = length × width Billed area = floor area × (1 + waste %) Total cost = billed area × (carpet + padding + labor) per sq ft
Carpet ships in fixed-width rolls, so the waste percentage accounts for offcuts, seams and pattern matching. The combined per-square-foot price makes it easy to compare an all-in installer quote against a do-it-yourself material cost.
Worked Example
A 15 ft × 12 ft bedroom, with carpet at $2.50/sq ft, padding at $0.60/sq ft, labor at $1.00/sq ft, and 10% waste:
- Floor area = 15 × 12 = 180 sq ft (20 sq yd)
- Billed area = 180 × 1.10 = 198 sq ft
- Combined price = 2.50 + 0.60 + 1.00 = $4.10/sq ft
- Total = 198 × 4.10 = ≈ $812
Typical Installed Carpet Prices
| Carpet grade | Installed price per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Builder / basic | $2.00 – $3.50 |
| Mid-range nylon | $3.50 – $5.00 |
| Premium / wool | $5.00 – $9.00+ |
Costs to Add Separately
- Old carpet removal and disposal — often $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot.
- Furniture moving — many installers charge a flat fee.
- Subfloor repair or leveling if the floor is uneven.
- Stairs — usually priced per step, not per square foot.
- Transition strips at doorways between flooring types.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate carpet installation cost?+
Multiply the room length by width to get square footage, add 10% for waste, then multiply the result by the combined price of carpet, padding and labor per square foot. For example, a 15 by 12 ft room is 180 sq ft, or 198 sq ft with waste, at $4.10 per square foot installed gives about $812.
How much does it cost to carpet a room?+
Most rooms cost between $3 and $7 per square foot installed, including carpet, padding and labor. A standard 12 by 15 ft bedroom of about 180 square feet therefore runs roughly $650 to $1,400. Premium wool or high-pile carpets and stairs push the price higher.
Why should I add a waste percentage?+
Carpet comes in fixed-width rolls, usually 12 feet, so a room rarely fits without offcuts. Installers also need extra material to match pile direction and patterns, and to seam pieces together. Adding about 10% overage ensures you buy enough; tricky layouts, hallways and stairs may need 15% or more.
Is carpet priced per square foot or per square yard?+
Both are common. Many retailers still quote carpet per square yard, where 1 square yard equals 9 square feet. To convert a per-square-yard price to per square foot, divide by 9. This calculator works in square feet and also shows your area in square yards so you can compare quotes either way.
What costs are not included in this estimate?+
This estimate covers carpet, padding and basic installation labor. It does not include tearing out and hauling away old carpet, moving heavy furniture, subfloor repair or leveling, transition strips, or stair installation, which is usually charged per step. Ask your installer to itemize these so you can compare quotes fairly.