How to Measure Carpet Area

Measuring carpet area requires basic math skills.

Replacing or adding carpet is a way for you to transform the look and feel of the room. Carpet comes in a variety of style, color, pile height and loop types. This variety allows for color coordination with furniture and paint, depending on your current décor. When planning carpet renovations, you need to have a measurement for the area to determine the cost of carpet and whether any seams are necessary in large rooms or in doorways. Although most carpet companies will not use your measurements when ordering the carpet, this gives you a good estimate when shopping for carpet.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Calculator

Instructions

1. Measure each room's length and width. Break down each room into measurable square or rectangles. Take into account any closets or unusually shaped areas, and mark down the lengths and widths of those shapes as well.

2. Multiply the length of each shape by the width; this gives you the area, or the square footage, for the shape. Add together the areas of any smaller shaped pieces of the room, such as closets, for the room's total square footage.

3. Add the total area for each room into one figure. Multiply this figure by 10 percent to account for wasted material and any minor cuts when installing the carpet.

4. Divide the total area by nine. This converts the total square feet into square yards, which makes it is easier to shop and calculate price for carpet.

References

• Carpet Cave: Carpet Calculator