How to Calculate Carpet Purchasing

Measuring for carpet is necessary prior to making a purchase.

Purchasing carpet requires you to have a basic idea of the amount of carpet needed. You can measure your home for carpet using a tape measure and a few basic math principles. The amount of carpet needed will often dictate the quality of carpet you purchase as well. For example, smaller carpet areas can allow you to purchase higher-quality (and often more expensive) carpet for your home project. Larger projects will often need less expensive carpet unless you have an unlimited budget.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Calculator

Instructions

1. Measure the length and width of each room. Separate odd-shaped rooms into squares or rectangles for easier measuring.

2. Multiply the length and width for each room or area that you measured. Be sure to measure and include closets or other small spaces in this calculation.

3. Add together all the area calculations from Step 2. Include an additional 10 percent with this figure for wasted material from the installation process.

4. Divide the figure from Step 3 by nine to convert the figure into square yards. Take this figure with you when shopping for carpet.

5. Multiply the installed carpet rate per square yard times your total square yards needed to determine the total cost for purchasing carpet.

Tips & Warnings

• Most carpet supply stores will send their own worker to measure your home for carpet. You can compare your measurement to theirs and question any differences.

References

• "The Complete Photo Guide to Homeowner Basics"; Black & Decker; 2008