This carpet installation cost calculator gives you an instant 2026 US estimate for carpet, padding and professional labor — answering how much does carpet cost for any room size.
Enter your room size below to estimate carpet, padding and professional installation cost. The worked example beneath the form is produced by the same calculation the tool runs.
Inputs: 12 × 15 ft living room (180 sq ft), standard nylon, professional install. Midwest labor rates, 10% waste, standard 6–8 lb rebond pad.
Total estimated cost: $865 – $1,390 (typical mid-point $1,128). Labor and disposal use the Midwest rate; enter a ZIP code in the tool to switch regions. You can download this breakdown as a PDF from the live tool.
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1. Raw floor area | 180 sq ft (20.0 sq yd) |
| 2. Add 10% waste factor | 199 sq ft ordered |
| 3. Carpet material | $594 – $990 |
| 4. Padding | $129 – $168 |
| 5. Installation labor | $143 – $232 |
Carpet installation in the US costs $3. 50-$11.
Carpet installation costs $3.50-$11.00 per square foot installed in 2026 across the United States, including carpet, padding, and professional labor. A 12x12 room costs about $500-$1,300 installed.
Lowe's averages $0.50-$2.00/sq ft for installation labor; Home Depot averages $0.60-$2.10/sq ft. Lowe's is generally 5-10% cheaper but Home Depot runs more $99 install promotions.
A typical 3-bedroom house (1,200-1,800 sq ft of carpeted area) costs $4,200-$16,200 installed in 2026, depending on carpet tier, padding, and number of stairs.