How to Measure a Room for Carpet Installation: A Step-by-Step Guide
Planning to install new carpet in your home? One of the most important steps before getting started is measuring your space accurately. Whether you’re preparing for a quote or just budgeting for a project, knowing the correct measurements ensures you get the right amount of carpet — and avoid costly mistakes.
Here’s our quick and easy guide on how to measure a room for carpet installation.
What You’ll Need:
Tape measure (preferably a long one)
Notepad and pen (or your phone)
Calculator
A helper (optional, but handy for larger rooms)
Step 1: Measure the Length and Width
Start by measuring the length and width of your room in metres (or feet, if preferred). Measure wall-to-wall at the widest points.
Example: A room is 4.2m long by 3.8m wide.
If the room isn’t a perfect square or rectangle, break it into sections and measure each area separately.
Step 2: Add Extra for Fitting
Always allow for cutting and fitting around edges, doorways, or recesses. We recommend adding at least 10cm (4 inches) to both the length and width.
New size: 4.3m x 3.9m
Step 3: Account for Irregular Shapes
If the room has alcoves, bay windows, or L-shaped layouts:
Break the room into rectangles or squares
Measure each area separately
Add all areas together to get the total square metre coverage
Step 4: Calculate the Total Area
Now multiply your final length by your width to get the total area.
4.3m x 3.9m = 16.77 square metres
Round up to the nearest half metre just to be safe.
Step 5: Let the Experts Confirm
While your measurements help you get an idea of cost, we always recommend a professional home measure before ordering. This ensures accuracy and helps avoid waste or shortages — especially when it comes to patterns, joins, or fitting stairs.
Pro Tip: Don’t Forget Underlay & Accessories
When buying carpet, you’ll also need:
Underlay (sold in square metres)
Gripper rods
Door bars or thresholds
These will also be measured and quoted during your home visit.
Book a Free Home Measure with Us
At London Flooring Experts, we offer a free, no-obligation home visit where we take precise measurements, show carpet samples, and provide expert recommendations tailored to your space.
📞 Call us today on 0203 515 2343
🌐 Or book your free quote online at londonflooringexperts.com