Carpet Padding Calculator
Carpet, padding and tack strip for a room, with cost.
Enter your values
Enter the room length in ft.
Enter the room width in ft.
Enter the waste in %.
Enter the carpet price per sq yd in $.
Enter the padding price per sq yd in $.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- 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
- $792.00
Working
- 1180 ft2 x 1.1 / 9 = 22 sq yd
Quick answer
Carpet is sold by the square yard: divide square feet by nine. Padding matches the area; tack strip matches the perimeter minus doorways.
sq yd = L x W / 9
At a glance
| What it does | Carpet, padding and tack strip for a room, with cost. |
|---|---|
| Category | Home & DIY |
| Inputs needed | Room length, Room width, Waste, Carpet price per sq yd, Padding price per sq yd |
| Main output | Carpet needed |
| Formula | sq yd = L x W / 9 |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Carpet Padding Calculator
- 1Measure the room at its widest points and include closets.
- 2Add 10% waste - carpet comes in 12 ft rolls so seam placement drives the real number.
- 3Order padding to the same area, and tack strip for the perimeter minus door openings.
Inputs explained
- Room length(ft)
- Enter the room length in ft.
- Room width(ft)
- Enter the room width in ft.
- Waste(%)
- Enter the waste in %.
- Carpet price per sq yd($)
- Enter the carpet price per sq yd in $.
- Padding price per sq yd($)
- Enter the padding price per sq yd in $.
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.
What do I need to enter into the Carpet Padding Calculator?
Just 5 values: room length, room width, waste, carpet price per sq yd, padding price per sq yd. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Carpet Padding Calculator work out the answer?
Carpet is sold by the square yard: divide square feet by nine. Padding matches the area; tack strip matches the perimeter minus doorways. It applies the formula sq yd = L x W / 9 and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Carpet Padding Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.