How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost?
Enter your own prices above. The ranges below are planning bands only — they are not auto-filled into the calculator.
| Component | Cost per sq ft (USA) | Cost per m² (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet material (budget) | $1.00–$3.00 | £8–£15 |
| Carpet material (mid-range) | $3.00–$6.00 | £15–£30 |
| Carpet material (premium/wool) | $6.00–$12.00 | £30–£60+ |
| Padding/underlay | $0.50–$1.50 | £3–£8 |
| Installation labor | $1.00–$2.00 | £5.50–£8 (fitting only) |
| Old carpet removal | $0.50–$1.00 | £2–£4 |
Installed jobs commonly land around $3–$10 per square foot once material, pad, and labor are combined. A 300 sq ft room is often $900–$3,000 depending on quality and whether you strip the old floor.
Square Feet, Square Yards, or Square Meters?
Room measurements are usually in feet or metres. US carpet is often quoted per square yard (9 square feet). UK carpet is quoted per square metre. This tool shows all three on every result so you can match whichever unit is on the quote. Switch the input toggle to enter dimensions in the unit you measured.
Carpet for Stairs
Each step uses the tread depth plus the riser height, wrapped in the stair width. Example: 13 steps, 10 in tread, 7 in riser, 36 in wide. Length is 13 × 17 in = 221 in (18.42 ft). Area is 18.42 × 3 ft = about 55.3 sq ft before waste. At 12% waste that is about 62 sq ft, plus any landing as flat floor with no extra waste. Stair fitting is usually priced higher per square foot than a simple rectangle — use the separate stair labor field, not the room rate.
Removing Old Carpet
Stripping existing carpet typically adds $0.50–$1.00 per sq ft (about £2–£4 per m²). Many fitters discount removal when it is bundled with the new install. Add the option above if you need the old floor taken up; leave it off for a vacant or already-cleared subfloor.
Carpet Cleaning Cost
Cleaning is a separate service from installation. Whole-house steam or hot-water extraction often runs about $0.20–$0.40 per sq ft, or $25–$75 per room depending on soil and furniture moving. This calculator does not add a cleaning line — budget it only if you are keeping existing carpet.
Carpet Depreciation (For Landlords and Tenants)
Security-deposit disputes often turn on remaining useful life, commonly 5–10 years depending on the state. Remaining value is typically (useful life minus age) ÷ useful life. Once carpet is past its useful life, a landlord generally cannot charge a tenant for full replacement — confirm the rule where the property is located. This is not legal advice.
Carpet Tile (Modular Squares)
Broadloom is roll goods: room area plus 10%+ waste, often priced per square yard. Carpet tile is modular: divide area by tile size and plan closer to 5% waste because offcuts are smaller. For a tile-count workflow, use the Tile Calculator; this page stays focused on broadloom rooms and stairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install carpet?
Carpet installation typically costs $3–$10 per square foot installed, including material, padding, and labor. A 300 sq ft room runs roughly $900–$3,000 depending on carpet quality and whether padding and old-carpet removal are included.
How do I calculate how much carpet I need?
Multiply your room's length by width to get square feet, add a 10% waste factor (more for patterned carpet needing pattern matching), then convert to square yards if your carpet is priced that way by dividing by 9.
How many square feet are in a square yard of carpet?
One square yard equals 9 square feet. A 180 sq ft room equals 20 square yards — always confirm which unit a carpet quote is priced in before comparing it to other flooring quotes.
How do I calculate carpet for stairs?
Multiply the number of steps by the sum of the tread depth and riser height, then multiply by the stair width, and add 10–15% extra for waste and pattern matching. Add any landing separately as flat floor area.
How much does it cost to remove old carpet?
Old carpet removal typically costs $0.50–$1.00 per square foot, or roughly $150–$300 for an average room, and is often discounted when bundled with a new carpet installation from the same company.
How much does professional carpet cleaning cost?
Professional carpet cleaning typically costs $25–$75 per room or $0.20–$0.40 per square foot for a whole-house job, depending on the cleaning method and how heavily stained the carpet is. This is a separate service cost from installation.
Do I need carpet padding, and does it add to the cost?
Padding (underlay) is strongly recommended for comfort, sound dampening, and extending carpet life, and typically adds $0.50–$1.50 per square foot. Some carpet warranties require a specific padding thickness or density to remain valid.
How is carpet depreciation calculated for a security deposit?
Most states apply a useful life (commonly 5–10 years) to carpet; remaining value is calculated as (useful life minus age) divided by useful life. A landlord generally can't charge for full replacement once carpet exceeds its useful life — check your state's specific landlord-tenant rules.
What's the difference between carpet tile and regular (broadloom) carpet calculations?
Broadloom carpet is calculated by room area plus a 10%+ waste factor and is typically priced per square yard. Carpet tile is calculated by dividing area by individual tile size with only about 5% waste, since tiles cut more cleanly than roll carpet.
Does carpet cost vary by location?
Yes — labor rates vary regionally in the US, and in the UK, carpet is priced per square metre with fitting typically quoted separately (commonly £5.50–£8 per m² for labor alone).
Can I use this instead of my retailer's calculator (Home Depot, Lowe's)?
Yes, as an independent, brand-agnostic estimate to sanity-check any retailer's tool or an installer's quote. Retailer calculators are tuned to their specific product line and roll widths, so always confirm your final order against the exact carpet you're buying.
How wide do carpet rolls come, and does that affect cost?
Carpet rolls commonly come in widths up to 12 ft (about 4m) in the US, or up to 4–5m in the UK. If your room is wider than one roll, carpet must be seamed together, which can add labor cost and waste — always ask your installer whether your room will need a seam.
Get free quotes from local carpet installers
Use the estimate to check fitter bids. Confirm roll width, seams, and pad spec before you order.