How Much Does It Cost to Carpet a 20×20 Room? (2026)

20×20 Carpet Estimate — 400 Sq Ft, Seams and Roll Widths

A 20x20 room carpet cost is $1,400–$3,600 installed in 2026 for 400 sq ft, including the seam most 12 ft carpet rolls require in a room this wide.

Enter Your Room Details

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.

A ZIP code sets the regional labor and disposal rate. Carpeting stairs too? Try the stair calculator, or see the carpet replacement cost calculator if you are removing old carpet. Questions about this calculator.

%

Worked example — how this estimate is calculated

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.

StepAmount
1. Raw floor area180 sq ft (20.0 sq yd)
2. Add 10% waste factor199 sq ft ordered
3. Carpet material$594 – $990
4. Padding$129 – $168
5. Installation labor$143 – $232

Questions about this calculator

How much does it cost to carpet a 20x20 room?

A 20x20 room (400 sq ft) costs $1,400-$3,600 installed in 2026 with carpet, pad and labor. Standard mid-range is typically $2,000-$2,800.

How many yards of carpet for a 20x20 room?

400 sq ft + 10% waste = 440 sq ft, or about 49 sq yards. Most carpet rolls are 12-15 ft wide — a 20x20 room usually needs one seam.

Is a 20x20 room considered a large room?

Yes — 400 sq ft is roughly the size of a 2-car garage or a large basement family room. Most homes have at most one 20x20 carpeted room.

Will a 20x20 room need carpet seams?

Yes. Standard 12 ft carpet rolls require one seam at the 12-15 ft mark. A skilled installer hides seams under furniture or in low-traffic zones.

What's the cheapest way to carpet a 20x20 room?

Buy builder-grade polyester ($3.50/sq ft installed) during Lowe's $99 whole-home install promos — total ~$1,500 vs $2,800+ at standard pricing.