UK Carpet Calculator - Area, Roll & Cost
Calculate Carpet Requirements for Your UK Home
Whether you're carpeting a bedroom, living room, stairs or entire house, our calculator helps you work out exactly how much carpet to order. We calculate based on standard UK roll widths (4m and 5m), include underlay requirements, and estimate costs with professional fitting.
UK Carpet Types Comparison
Choosing the right carpet type is essential for durability, comfort, and value. Here's a guide to carpet types available at UK retailers like Carpetright, Tapi, and independent carpet shops.
UK Carpet Roll Widths Explained
Understanding carpet roll widths is crucial for calculating how much carpet to order and minimising waste. Most UK carpets come in 4m widths, with some premium ranges available in 5m.
4 Metre Width (Most Common)
- Standard UK carpet roll width
- Ideal for rooms up to 4m wide
- Widest choice of styles and colours
- Best value options available
- Seam needed if room exceeds 4m
5 Metre Width (Premium)
- Available in some premium ranges
- Fewer seams in larger rooms
- Better for open-plan living
- May be special order only
- Often more expensive per m²
Calculating from Roll Width
Carpet is sold by linear metre cut from the roll. For a 4m wide roll:
Order: 3m length of 4m roll
= 12m² coverage
Option 1: 5m of 4m roll + seam
Option 2: 4m of 5m roll (no seam)
Calculate each section
Professional measurement advised
Carpet Underlay Guide
Quality underlay is essential for carpet performance, comfort, and longevity. Never skimp on underlay - it's the foundation of a good carpet installation.
Carpet Calculation Formulas
Room Area
Measure at widest points. For L-shapes, split into rectangles.
Total with Waste
Add 10% for simple rooms, 15-20% for complex shapes.
Roll Length Needed
If room width ≤ roll width, else calculate with seams.
Total Cost
Don't forget gripper, door bars, moving furniture costs.
Worked Example
Master bedroom: 4.5m × 3.8m with bay window (15% waste)
- Room area: 4.5 × 3.8 = 17.1m²
- Plus 15% waste: 17.1 × 1.15 = 19.67m²
- Using 5m roll (room is 4.5m wide): 3.8m length needed = 19m²
- Carpet at £30/m²: 19 × £30 = £570
- Underlay at £5/m²: 19 × £5 = £95
- Professional fitting at £6/m²: 19 × £6 = £114
- Total: £779 (+ gripper, door bars)
UK Carpet Costs 2024-2025
Current UK carpet prices including materials, underlay, and professional fitting. Prices vary by region and retailer.
Carpet Materials
- Polypropylene: £8-18/m²
- Twist pile: £15-40/m²
- Loop/Berber: £20-45/m²
- 80/20 wool blend: £35-70/m²
- 100% wool: £50-150/m²
Underlay & Accessories
- Standard PU underlay: £3-6/m²
- Premium underlay: £6-10/m²
- Carpet gripper: £1-2/linear metre
- Door bars: £5-15 each
- Stair nosings: £3-8 each
Professional Fitting
- Standard rooms: £4-8/m²
- Stairs (straight): £60-100
- Stairs (turn/landing): £100-180
- Furniture moving: £20-50
- Old carpet removal: £2-4/m²
Full Room Examples
- Single bedroom (10m²): £250-450
- Double bedroom (15m²): £350-650
- Living room (20m²): £500-900
- Stairs (13 steps): £300-500
- Whole house (80m²): £1,800-4,000
Where to Buy Carpet in the UK
Major Retailers
- Carpetright - Largest UK chain
- Tapi Carpets - Mid-range specialist
- Flooring Superstore - Online/stores
- Carpet Depot - Discount chain
DIY Stores
- B&Q - Budget to mid-range
- Wickes - Limited carpet range
- Homebase - Basic options
- The Range - Remnants/rugs
Premium Brands
- Cormar Carpets - British made
- Adam Carpets - Luxury wool
- Axminster - Traditional quality
- Ulster Carpets - Premium woven
Online Options
- Carpet Giant - Trade prices
- Remnant King - End of rolls
- OnlineCarpets.co.uk - Wide range
- Flooring Direct - Free samples
Carpet Fitting: Professional vs DIY
Professional Fitting Recommended For:
- Stairs - specialist skill required
- Patterned carpet - pattern matching needed
- Large rooms - power stretching essential
- Complex shapes - alcoves, bay windows
- Premium carpet - protect your investment
- Seamed installations - invisible joins
DIY May Be Possible For:
- Small simple rooms (under 12m²)
- Rectangular rooms without alcoves
- Budget carpet where perfection isn't critical
- If you own a knee kicker tool
- Loose-lay carpet tiles
- Temporary installations
What Professional Fitters Do
- Remove old carpet/floor
- Check and level subfloor
- Install gripper rods
- Lay underlay with taped joints
- Cut carpet to size
- Power stretch for smooth finish
- Tuck into grippers
- Install door bars
- Vacuum and inspect
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate how much carpet I need?
Measure your room's length and width in metres, multiply them together for the floor area in m². Add 10% for waste. Carpet comes in 4m or 5m roll widths, so you need to consider which width fits your room best to minimise waste. For a 4m × 3m room: 12m² + 10% waste = 13.2m². Using 4m wide carpet, you'd need 3m of length (12m² actual coverage).
What width does carpet come in UK?
In the UK, carpet typically comes in two standard roll widths: 4 metres and 5 metres. Budget and mid-range carpets are usually 4m wide, while some premium ranges offer 5m widths. The roll width affects how carpet is cut and can impact waste. For rooms over 4m wide, 5m carpet or seaming two pieces is required.
How much waste allowance should I add for carpet?
Add 10% waste for rectangular rooms with straight walls. Add 15% for rooms with bay windows, alcoves, or fitted wardrobes. Pattern-matched carpets may need 15-20% extra. Stairs typically need 20% extra due to the complex cutting required. Professional fitters often order slightly more to ensure perfect coverage.
How much does carpet cost per m² in the UK in 2025?
UK carpet costs 2024-2025: Budget twist pile £8-15/m², mid-range £15-30/m², premium £30-60/m², luxury wool £50-150/m². Underlay adds £3-10/m². Professional fitting costs £4-8/m², or £100-200 per average room. Carpet gripper, door bars, and moving furniture may be extra. Typical 4m × 4m bedroom costs £300-600 fully fitted.
Do I need underlay for carpet?
Yes, carpet underlay is essential. It extends carpet life by absorbing foot traffic impact, provides sound insulation (typically 36-42dB), adds thermal insulation, and makes carpet feel softer underfoot. Standard underlay is 8-11mm PU foam. For underfloor heating, use low-tog underlay (maximum 1.0 tog). Avoid cheap foam - invest in quality underlay.
What is the best carpet for high traffic areas?
For high-traffic areas like hallways, stairs and living rooms, choose 80/20 wool-nylon blend or high-quality twist pile (2500+ twists per 10cm). Loop pile and berber carpets also handle heavy traffic well. Look for heavy domestic rating or stain-resistant treatments like Scotchgard. Avoid velvet and Saxony pile in busy areas as they show footprints and wear faster.
Can I fit carpet over underfloor heating?
Yes, but the combined tog rating of carpet plus underlay should not exceed 2.5 tog (ideally under 1.5 tog) to allow heat transfer. Use thin, dense underlay specifically designed for underfloor heating. Avoid thick wool carpets over UFH. Synthetic or thin wool blend carpets work best. Always check manufacturer guidelines for maximum surface temperature.
Should I fit carpet myself or use a professional?
Professional fitting is recommended for quality results, especially for stairs, patterned carpet, or rooms with complex shapes. Professional fitters have specialised tools (knee kicker, power stretcher) and experience minimising waste. DIY is possible for small simple rooms but seams, doorways, and stairs are challenging. Professional fitting typically costs £4-8/m² or £100-200 per room.
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Understanding Your Results
Our Carpet Calculator provides:
- Instant calculations - Results appear immediately
- Accurate formulas - Based on official UK standards
- Clear explanations - Understand how results are derived
- 2025/26 updated - Using current rates and regulations
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