Pick your room type, enter your measurements and the size of the rug you are considering. The calculator draws a top-down plan, tells you whether the rug is too small, too big or just right, and lists the standard sizes that will work. Switch between feet and metres at any time.
How the rug size calculator works
The calculator checks your rug against the same rules interior designers use, then shows the result on a scaled floor plan so you can see it before you buy.
- Living room: it checks whether the rug reaches under all the legs of your sofa, or at least the front legs, and how much bare floor is left at the sides.
- Bedroom: it checks that the rug extends far enough beyond the sides and foot of your bed.
- Dining room: it checks that every chair stays on the rug when it is pulled out from the table.
- Hallway: it checks the gaps on each side and at each end of a runner.
Every layout is tested with the rug both ways round (long side across the room or along it), and the better of the two is shown.
Rug size rules by room
These are design rules of thumb, not hard laws. They give a balanced result in most homes.
| Room | Rule of thumb |
|---|---|
| Living room | At least the front legs of the sofa and chairs on the rug. All legs on is the most grounded look. Leave about 18 in (46 cm) of bare floor to the walls, 12 to 24 in is the usual range. |
| Bedroom | Extend at least 18 in (46 cm) beyond both sides of the bed and past the foot, 24 in (60 cm) is better. Place the rug under the bottom two thirds of the bed. |
| Dining room | Extend at least 24 in (60 cm) past every edge of the table so chairs stay on the rug when pulled out. 30 in (76 cm) is comfortable. |
| Hallway runner | Leave about 3 to 6 in (8 to 15 cm) of floor at each side and 6 to 12 in (15 to 30 cm) at each end. |
Standard rug sizes and where they work
| Size (ft) | Approx. metric | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 5 × 8 | 150 × 240 cm | Twin or full bed, reading nook, loveseat or small apartment seating area |
| 6 × 9 | 180 × 270 cm | Small to medium living room (front legs on), queen bed (minimum), entryway |
| 8 × 10 | 240 × 300 cm | Most living rooms, queen bed, 6-seat dining table (about 72 × 40 in) |
| 9 × 12 | 270 × 360 cm | Large living rooms, king bed, 8-seat dining table (about 96 × 42 in) |
| 10 × 14 | 300 × 420 cm | Open-plan spaces and very large rooms |
| 2.5 × 8 to 2.5 × 12 | 75 × 240 to 75 × 360 cm | Hallway runners |
Common metric (UK and Europe) sizes are slightly different, such as 160 × 230 cm, 200 × 290 cm and 240 × 340 cm. The calculator lists these when you switch to metres.
Worked examples
Living room: 14 × 16 ft, 84 in sofa, 24 in coffee table
An 8 × 10 ft rug reaches under every leg of the sofa and the coffee table, leaving about 2 ft of floor at each side. A 6 × 9 ft rug only reaches the front legs, which still looks right. A 5 × 8 ft rug is too small. It floats in front of the sofa like a postage stamp.
Bedroom: queen bed (60 × 80 in) in a 12 × 14 ft room
An 8 × 10 ft rug turned with the long side across the bed extends about 2 ft 6 in beyond each side of the bed, which is an ideal fit. A 6 × 9 ft rug meets the minimum but looks small. A 5 × 8 ft rug is too small for a queen bed.
Dining room: 72 × 40 in table
An 8 × 10 ft rug extends 24 in past the table, so the chairs stay on the rug when pulled out. A 6 × 9 ft rug only extends about 16 in, so the back legs of the chairs drop off the edge.
Hallway: 12 ft long, 40 in wide
A 2.5 × 10 ft runner leaves about 5 in at the sides and 1 ft at each end, the classic proportions.
Common rug sizing mistakes
- Buying too small. The most common mistake. A rug that only holds the coffee table makes the furniture look disconnected from it.
- Measuring the room instead of the furniture. Size the rug to your seating group, bed or table, then check the wall clearance.
- Forgetting the chairs pull out. A dining rug has to hold the chairs when someone is sitting down or leaving the table.
- Going wall to wall by accident. Less than about 8 in (20 cm) of floor at the walls looks cramped and can catch doors.
- Ignoring the door swing. Thick rugs can stop a door opening fully. Check clearance at doors and under radiators.
Tips for choosing the right rug
- Mark the rug’s edges on the floor with painter’s tape before you order. It shows the real size in your room.
- If you are between two sizes, go up one. A larger rug makes a room look bigger.
- Use a rug pad. It stops slipping, protects floors and makes a thin rug feel more luxurious.
- In an open-plan space, give each zone its own rug and keep them in the same colour family.
- Round rugs suit round tables, entryways and corners. Under a sofa group, a rectangle usually looks better.
