Quick answer: Carpet installation costs $3 to $8 per square foot in 2026, including the carpet, padding and professional labor. A standard 12×12 bedroom (144 sq ft) usually runs $420 to $1,210, and carpeting 1,000 square feet costs about $2,900 to $8,400. Budget polyester sits at the low end; wool can reach $16 per square foot.
Use the calculator below to estimate your own project, then read on for a full breakdown of what drives the price and how to avoid overpaying.
Estimate Your Carpet Cost
Carpet Installation Cost Calculator
Enter your room size and options to get an installed price range (carpet, pad and labor) based on 2026 U.S. averages.
| Cost item | Range |
|---|
Includes about 10% extra carpet for seams and waste. Estimates only: your final price depends on local labor rates, the exact product, and your floor’s condition. Always get 2–3 written quotes.
Carpet Installation Cost per Square Foot
Most quotes are made of four parts. Retailers often advertise only the first one, which is why the final bill can be double the sticker price.
| Cost item | Typical price per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Carpet (material only) | $1.00 – $5.00 (wool up to $12+) |
| Padding | $0.50 – $2.00 |
| Installation labor | $0.75 – $2.00 |
| Old carpet removal & disposal | $0.30 – $1.00 |
| Total installed | $3.00 – $8.00 |
Carpet is often priced per square yard in stores. One square yard equals 9 square feet, so a carpet listed at $27 per square yard costs $3 per square foot.
Cost to Carpet a Room by Size
These ranges include carpet (with about 10% extra for waste), standard padding and labor at average U.S. rates. Removing old carpet adds roughly $0.30 to $1.00 per square foot.
| Room / area | Square feet | Polyester (budget) | Nylon (mid-range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom (10×10) | 100 | $240 – $620 | $290 – $840 |
| Standard bedroom (12×12) | 144 | $340 – $890 | $420 – $1,210 |
| Large bedroom (12×15) | 180 | $420 – $1,120 | $520 – $1,510 |
| Living room (15×20) | 300 | $700 – $1,860 | $870 – $2,520 |
| Bedroom level (3 rooms + hall) | 500 | $1,180 – $3,100 | $1,450 – $4,200 |
| Whole floor | 1,000 | $2,350 – $6,200 | $2,900 – $8,400 |
| Whole house | 1,500 | $3,520 – $9,300 | $4,350 – $12,600 |
| Large house | 2,000 | $4,700 – $12,400 | $5,800 – $16,800 |
Small jobs cost more per foot. Many installers charge a minimum fee of $150 to $300, so carpeting a single closet or small room can cost more per square foot than a whole floor.
Carpet Prices by Type of Fiber
The fiber you choose is the biggest single factor in your total price.
| Carpet fiber | Material only | Installed (with pad & labor) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester / Olefin | $1 – $3 / sq ft | $2.35 – $6.20 / sq ft | Guest rooms, rentals, low traffic |
| Nylon | $1.50 – $5 / sq ft | $2.90 – $8.40 / sq ft | Hallways, living rooms, stairs |
| Triexta (SmartStrand) | $2 – $5 / sq ft | $3.45 – $8.40 / sq ft | Homes with pets and kids |
| Wool | $4 – $12 / sq ft | $5.65 – $16.10 / sq ft | Luxury bedrooms and formal rooms |
- Polyester and olefin are soft and stain-resistant but crush faster in busy areas. They make sense for rooms you will re-carpet within 5 to 8 years.
- Nylon is the durability standard. It bounces back after heavy foot traffic, which is why it is the most common choice for stairs and hallways.
- Triexta feels like polyester but resists crushing almost like nylon, and its stain resistance is built into the fiber. It is a popular pick for pet owners.
- Wool is natural, beautiful and long-lasting, but it costs the most and absorbs moisture, so avoid it in basements.
Carpet Padding Cost
Padding costs $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot. Standard rebond pad (the multicolored foam) is the most common and sits at the low end. Memory foam and moisture-barrier pads cost more but feel softer and protect the carpet from spills.
Do not skip a good pad to save money. A quality pad helps your carpet last longer, and many carpet warranties require a specific pad thickness and density. Berber and loop carpets need a firm pad no thicker than 3/8 inch.
Cost to Carpet Stairs
Stairs are priced per step, not per square foot, because each step takes extra cutting and fitting. Expect to pay about $15 to $50 per step installed, or $250 to $900 for a typical straight staircase of 12 to 16 steps.
| Staircase type | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| Straight (12–16 steps) | $250 – $900 |
| L-shaped or U-shaped | $400 – $1,000 |
| Curved | $500 – $1,300 |
| Spiral | $700 – $1,500+ |
Stairs with open sides or spindles cost more because the installer must cut around each baluster. Note that “free installation” deals from big-box stores usually exclude stairs.
Extra Costs Most Quotes Leave Out
- Removing old carpet: $0.30 – $1.00 per sq ft, including haul-away.
- Moving furniture: often $25 – $75 per room. Clearing the rooms yourself saves this fee.
- Subfloor repairs: squeaks, water damage or uneven spots can add $2 – $5 per sq ft where repairs are needed.
- Transition strips: $10 – $40 each where carpet meets tile or wood.
- Door trimming: thicker carpet and pad may require shaving doors, around $20 – $50 per door.
- Minimum job fee: $150 – $300 for small rooms or repairs.
DIY vs. Professional Carpet Installation
Installing carpet yourself saves the labor cost of roughly $0.75 to $2.00 per square foot, about $110 to $290 for a 12×12 room. However, wall-to-wall carpet must be stretched tight with a power stretcher, and seams must be joined with a seaming iron. Poorly stretched carpet develops ripples within months.
DIY makes sense for carpet tiles or small, simple rooms. For stairs, large rooms and anything with seams, hiring a professional is usually worth the cost, especially because many manufacturers void the warranty on improperly installed carpet.
How to Measure a Room for Carpet
- Measure the length and width of the room at the longest points, in feet.
- Multiply them to get the square footage (12 ft × 15 ft = 180 sq ft).
- Add closets and alcoves separately, then add them together.
- Add about 10% for waste and seams. Carpet comes on rolls 12 or 15 feet wide, so rooms wider than the roll need a seam and extra material.
Your installer will take final measurements, but knowing your square footage helps you compare quotes and spot inflated numbers.
7 Ways to Save Money on Carpet Installation
- Get at least three written quotes that list carpet, pad, labor and removal separately.
- Read the fine print on “free installation.” These offers often add fees for pad, removal, stairs and furniture moving.
- Match the fiber to the room. Use nylon in hallways and stairs, and cheaper polyester in guest bedrooms.
- Remove old carpet yourself if your installer allows it. It is simple work with a utility knife and pliers.
- Move the furniture yourself before installation day.
- Shop remnants for small rooms. Leftover pieces from large rolls can cost 50% less.
- Carpet several rooms at once. Larger jobs get a lower price per square foot and avoid multiple minimum fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to carpet a 12×12 room?
A 12×12 room is 144 square feet. With mid-range nylon carpet, standard padding and professional installation, expect about $420 to $1,210. Add $45 to $145 if the old carpet needs to be removed.
How much does it cost to carpet 1,000 square feet?
Carpeting 1,000 square feet costs about $2,350 to $6,200 with budget polyester and $2,900 to $8,400 with nylon, including pad and labor. Wool can exceed $16,000.
How long does carpet installation take?
A professional crew can usually carpet one or two rooms in half a day and a whole house (1,000 to 1,500 sq ft) in one to two days. Removing old carpet and repairing the subfloor adds time.
Is carpet cheaper than hardwood or vinyl plank?
Yes. Carpet is one of the cheapest flooring options at $3 to $8 per square foot installed. Luxury vinyl plank typically costs more to install, and hardwood costs considerably more. Carpet does need replacing more often, usually every 8 to 15 years.
Does carpet installation price include padding?
Not always. Many advertised prices cover only the carpet itself. Ask every installer whether the quote includes pad, labor, tack strips, removal of old carpet and disposal.
How We Calculated These Prices
The ranges in this guide and calculator combine national 2026 cost data published by flooring retailers, contractor marketplaces and cost-estimating services, including HomeGuide, Homewyse, Thumbtack and ConsumerAffairs. We use ranges instead of a single number because prices vary by region, product line and the condition of your floors. Prices were last reviewed in November 2026.
These figures are estimates for planning purposes only. Always get written quotes from licensed local installers before you buy.