The complete guide to get your carpet measurements right!

December 10, 2025

Getting the carpet with the wrong measurements is one of the most costly and regrettable mistakes. To save your money and consciousness, we have brought an overview of how to measure a carpet.

If the carpet has the correct measurement for the room, you will save yourself money and will have an aesthetically appealing room. The wrong-fitted carpet can be a lot of wastage of material, which you will have no use for!

What do you need to measure a carpet?

The instruments to measure for a carpet are very simple but important. The instruments consist of:

  • Tape measure ( both rolling and straight)
  • Notepad
  • Calculator
  • Floor plan if needed
  • Clear the room of all furniture so that you can measure freely

How to measure a carpet for a basic square or rectangular room?

  1. First, measure the length of the room.
  2. Then, measure the full width of the room at the widest point.

When you measure the length or width of the room, make sure you measure the full length at the longest and widest point, and not the average or anything that is shorter than the longest or the widest point. When you get the measurements, simply multiply both the values to get the area in square metres or square feet.

How to measure a carpet for an irregular or complex room?

Most of the homes do not have a simple square or rectangular room. They have bay windows, radiators, doorways, and many other things that make the room complex to measure for a carpet.

You can start by sketching a rough floor plan, marking the doorway, cupboards, radiator, and other things that take up space on the floor of your room. Then, you can divide the room into smaller sections of shapes that make up the whole area of the room when put together. You are bound to have seams in your carpet, so you can plan them and align them well, so it gives a better look to your house.

How to measure a carpet for stairs or other special spaces?

Corridors, stairs, landings, and other spaces need special attention as irregularities in the carpet will make it look bad and unprofessional.

  • Corridors: corridors are mostly L-shaped or T-shaped, so you can divide them into two rectangles and get the perfect measurement without any hassle.
  • Stairs: staircases are more complex than other spaces of the house, as each staircase needs measurements. Measure each step carefully and take photos to plan and manage the cuts properly.
  • For irregular shapes, use multiple-piece measurements so it looks neat.

Choose United Carpets and Beds for your next carpet purchase!

Flooring of the house or any property is what brings the whole look and aesthetic of the place together. So it is very important to plan the flooring and carpet of the home efficiently. United Carpets and Beds are the UK’s leading flooring and home furnishing retailer. United offers a wide range of services and tools that make the whole process of buying the carpet easy and reliable. We provide all the necessary tools, resources and step-by-step instructions and guides.

What are the common mistakes you can avoid?

  1. Do not underestimate the area and repeat the measurement process if you are not sure.
  2. Do not ignore the furniture, accessories, and doorways.
  3. But the appropriate amount of carpet, not too long and not too short, as it can lead to awkward fittings.
  4. Make clear notes and recheck the floor plans to be sure.
  5. For complex measurements, consider professional help.

Some tips to get the measurements right!

  1. Measure at least twice so you don’t make a mistake.
  2. Always measure the longest and widest points and not the average.
  3. Include all the doorways, furniture, radiators or anything that may come in the way.
  4. Add extra trimming on both lengths and widths so you can accommodate cutting, tucking, and fitting, so that you get a seamless carpet fitting.
  5. When you use the carpet roll stock, make sure you plan the seams wisely.
  6. For landings, stairs, and halls: treat them as separate areas so you get the proper fitted carpet.

What did we see?

Measuring the area for the carpet will take you a little time, but it will definitely save you from awkward fittings and wastage of money. Fixing the carpet that does not fit properly is very difficult, and our guide on how to measure a carpet will be your saviour.

Here, we have mentioned all the measures you have to take to measure a carpet and all the things you should consider. With this guide, you will find the best-fitted carpet with very little effort and ease. For the best flooring and carpets, visit the United Carpets and Beds now!