Carpet Padding Calculator
Carpet, padding and tack strip for a room, with cost.
Enter your values
ⓘ Live results
Results
- Carpet needed
- 22 sq yd
- Padding needed
- 22 sq yd
- Room area
- 180 sq ft
- Tack strip
- 51 ft
- Carpet cost
- $660.00
- Total with padding
- $792.00
Working
- 1180 ft2 x 1.1 / 9 = 22 sq yd
Quick answer
Carpet is sold by the square yard: divide square feet by nine. Padding matches the area; tack strip matches the perimeter minus doorways.
sq yd = L x W / 9
How to use the Carpet Padding Calculator
- 1Measure the room at its widest points and include closets.
- 2Add 10% waste - carpet comes in 12 ft rolls so seam placement drives the real number.
- 3Order padding to the same area, and tack strip for the perimeter minus door openings.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Room length15 ft
- Room width12 ft
- Waste10 %
- Carpet price per sq yd30 $
- Padding price per sq yd6 $
Results
- Carpet needed22 sq yd
- Padding needed22 sq yd
- Room area180 sq ft
- Tack strip51 ft
- Carpet cost$660.00
- Total with padding$792.00
- 180 ft2 x 1.1 / 9 = 22 sq yd
Frequently asked questions
What padding thickness is best?
7/16 inch at 6 to 8 lb density suits most residential rooms. Thicker is not better - it can void warranties and make seams flex.
Why is my quote higher than this?
Installers price by the roll width. A 13 ft wide room from a 12 ft roll forces a seam and a lot of waste.
About this calculator
- Built and reviewed by James Whitfield · How we build and test calculators
- Report an error
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.