The most common mistake in choosing a carpet is choosing one that is too small. This carpet size guide gives the standard rug sizes in feet and centimetres, and shows which size suits a living room, a dining room and a bedroom.
Standard carpet sizes
| Size in feet | Size in centimetres | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 5 x 8 ft | 152 x 244 cm | Under a coffee table, the foot of a bed, a study, a small seating group |
| 6 x 9 ft | 183 x 274 cm | A living room with the front legs of the sofa on the carpet |
| 8 x 10 ft | 244 x 305 cm | A full seating arrangement, a six-seat dining table, a large bedroom |
| 9 x 12 ft | 274 x 366 cm | A large living room or a formal dining room |
Some of our pieces come in other sizes, such as 6.7 x 9.1 ft, 200 x 300 cm, and round rugs of 270 cm diameter. Each product page gives the exact size. Handmade carpets can vary slightly from their stated measurements.
Living room
The carpet should sit beneath at least the front legs of the sofa and the surrounding chairs, so the seating reads as one group. In a larger room, placing all the furniture fully on the carpet makes the space feel more cohesive.
- Front legs on: 6 x 9 ft suits most three-seater arrangements.
- All legs on: 8 x 10 ft or 9 x 12 ft, depending on the room.
- Coffee table only: 5 x 8 ft works in a compact room, but check that it does not look like it is floating.
Leave a border of bare floor between the carpet and the walls so the room does not feel fitted.
Dining room
Choose a size that lets the chairs stay on the carpet even when they are pulled away from the table. Measure your table, then add about 60 cm on every side.
- A six-seat table usually needs 8 x 10 ft.
- An eight-seat table usually needs 9 x 12 ft.
For dining rooms, a low, dense pile is easier to live with than a high one, because chairs slide across it.
Bedroom
- Under the bed: place the carpet under the lower two thirds of the bed so it extends on both sides and at the foot. 8 x 10 ft suits a queen or king bed.
- At the foot of the bed: a 5 x 8 ft carpet laid across the foot.
- Beside the bed: a smaller rug on the side you step out on.
Round rugs
Round carpets soften rooms dominated by straight lines. They work well under a circular dining table, beneath an accent chair, or layered over a rectangular rug. Our guide to layering rugs shows a round and a rectangular piece used together.
How to measure your room
- Measure the length and width of the room, then of the area the furniture occupies.
- Mark the outline of the carpet size you are considering on the floor with masking tape or newspaper.
- Check the doors. Make sure they open freely over the carpet.
- Live with the outline for a day before you decide.
When no standard size fits
If your room needs a size we do not stock, we can make one. Our bespoke service makes carpets to your exact dimensions. As a guide, hand tufted and handloom carpets take 4 to 6 weeks, and hand knotted carpets take 3 to 4 months.
Questions about carpet sizes
What size carpet do I need for a living room?
Most living rooms need 6 x 9 ft or 8 x 10 ft. The carpet should reach under at least the front legs of every seat in the group.
Is it better to buy a bigger carpet or a smaller one?
If you are between two sizes, the larger one almost always looks more considered. A carpet that is too small makes the furniture look as though it is drifting.
How big is a 5 x 8 carpet in centimetres?
About 152 x 244 cm.
Still unsure? Bring your room measurements to the True Knot showroom or send them to us and we will advise.