Key Takeaways
- Carpet costs $1 to $5 per square foot on average for materials only
- Including padding and installation, carpet prices are $2 to $8 per square foot
- Nylon, polyester, and olefin are the most affordable and popular carpet fibers
- Wool is the most expensive natural carpet material at up to $21 per square foot
- Get at least 3 estimates from local carpet companies before hiring
Carpet prices per square foot
| GRADE | PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT* | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
| Cheap builder grade | $0.50 – $1.50 | – Lasts 3 to 5 years – Wears down quickly – Nylon, polyester |
| Mid-grade | $1.50 – $6.00 | – Lasts 6 to 12 years – Sisal, olefin, Triexta |
| High-quality | $6.00 – $21.00 | – Lasts 12 to 20 years – Designer or high-end brands – Wool |
Carpet prices per square yard
Carpet is often sold by the square yard rather than square foot. To convert square yard pricing to square feet, divide the yard price by 9. For example, carpet that costs $18 per square yard is equivalent to $2 per square foot.
Carpet prices by type
| TYPE | PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
| Cut pile | $0.60 – $9.00 | – Evenly cut or textured cut loops – Soft and smooth – For low-traffic areas – Less durable than Berber or loop-pile – Comes in nylon, polyester, and wool |
| Loop pile & berber | $0.50 – $8.00 | – Uncut round yarns – Great durability and easy to clean – Resists heavy foot traffic – Leaves no footprints, vacuum marks, or furniture indentations – Made from olefin, nylon, wool, or fiber blend – Tight loops are stiffer and less soft than cut-pile – Pet claws can snag on the carpet loops and cause damage |
| Cut & loop | $1.00 – $9.00 | – Patterned or sculptured look – Hides dirt, wear, and footprints – Average durability – Easy to clean – Less durable than low-pile loop |
Cut pile carpet prices
| TYPE | COST PER SQUARE FOOT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
| Textured | $0.60 – $9.00 | – Resists stains and easy to clean – Medium to high foot traffic -Twisted fibers at varying lengths – Duo-tone appearance – Hides footprints and vacuum marks – Great for active families |
| Saxony | $1.00 – $4.50 | – For low foot traffic – Short, tightly twisted fibers – Soft and average density – Shows footprints and vacuum marks – Twisted and heat-set for resilience – Subject to fluffing or shedding |
| Plush / velvet | $0.65 – $8.00 | – For low foot traffic – Short, dense, lightly twisted fibers – Smooth uniform and elegant look – Comes in many solid colors – Shows dirt, stains, footprints, & vacuum marks – Prone to pooling |
| Frieze / shag / cable | $1.00 – $8.00 | – Tightly twisted with long curly tufts – Dense, soft, and resilient for active areas – Hides seam, footprints, vacuum marks – Harder to clean – Subject to wear and matting |
Loop pile / berber carpet cost
| TYPE | COST PER SQUARE FOOT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
| Berber | $1.00 – $8.00 | – Low-piled loop – Light color with flecks of darker tones – Short and thick yarns – Color variation hides stains and dirt – Comes in level and multi-level loop |
| Level loop | $0.50 – $7.50 | – Uncut loops of same height – Consistent tight texture without variation |
| Multi-level loop | $2.50 – $5.00 | – Multiple loops in varied height – Patterned look |
Cut and loop carpet prices
Cut and loop is a combination of cut pile and loop pile carpeting. It provides a patterned or sculptured look that helps hide dirt, wear, and footprints. Cut and loop carpeting costs $1 to $9 per square foot on average.
Average price of carpeting by material
| MATERIAL | PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT |
|---|---|
| Nylon | $0.75 – $9.00 |
| Polyester | $0.50 – $6.00 |
| Polypropylene / olefin | $0.70 – $5.00 |
| Sisal | $1.50 – $9.00 |
| Wool | $3.00 – $21.00 |
| Triexta / Smartstrand / Sorona | $1.50 – $7.00 |
Nylon carpet prices
Nylon is the most popular and versatile carpet material. It offers excellent durability, resilience, and stain resistance. Nylon carpeting costs $0.75 to $9.00 per square foot. Check out our guide to nylon carpet for more details.
Sisal carpet cost
Sisal is a natural fiber made from the agave sisalana plant. It is durable, eco-friendly, and has a unique textured appearance. Sisal carpet prices range from $1.50 to $9.00 per square foot.
Wool carpet cost
Wool is a premium natural carpet material prized for its softness, durability, and insulating properties. It is also naturally stain-resistant and hypoallergenic. Wool carpeting costs $3.00 to $21.00 per square foot on average. Learn more about wool carpet prices.
Polyester carpet prices
Polyester is a budget-friendly synthetic carpet fiber. It resists staining, fading, and moisture, but is less durable than nylon. Polyester carpet costs $0.50 to $6.00 per square foot.
Polypropylene or olefin carpet prices
Olefin, also known as polypropylene, is an inexpensive synthetic carpet material. It has good stain and moisture resistance but lower durability. Olefin carpeting prices are $0.70 to $5.00 per square foot.
Triexta / Smartstrand / Sorona carpet prices
Triexta is a newer synthetic carpet fiber sold under the brand names Smartstrand and Sorona. It offers excellent durability and permanent stain resistance. Triexta carpet costs $1.50 to $7.00 per square foot installed.
Carpeting prices by brand
| BRAND | COST PER SQUARE FOOT | BENEFITS |
|---|---|---|
| Shaw Floors | $0.50 – $11.00 | – Extensive selection of colors & styles – Warranties lasting up to 20 years – R2X soil & stain protection for nylon – Waterproof carpet backings – Carpet-recycling program |
| Stainmaster Carpet | $1.00 – $7.00 | – Stainmaster Pet Protect carpets have built-in odor & stain resistance – Carpets that repel pet hairs for easier vacuuming – Nylon carpets with top-quality stain-resistant treatments – The Active Family line is extra-durable carpeting – TruSoft is their softest carpeting with stain-resistance |
| Mohawk Industries / Smartstrand | $0.60 – $5.50 | – Longest reputation in carpeting -Vast choices of polyester -SmartStrand Forever Clean carpet with an “All Pet Protection” lifetime warranty – Patented Triexta-fiber carpets with top stain-resistance among most carpets – Large selection of recycled and eco-friendly carpets |
| Anderson Tuftex | $1.50 – $11.00 | – Wide selection of twist, textured, & loop carpets – Good stain & soil resistance – 10-year warranties available |
Carpet prices installed
| COMPONENT | AVERAGE PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT |
|---|---|
| Carpet | $1.00 – $4.50 |
| Pad | $0.25 – $1.00 |
| Labor | $0.50 – $1.50 |
| Additional services* | $0.25 – $2.00 |
*Additional services may include removal and disposal of old flooring, subfloor repairs, baseboards, and transitions.
The total cost to install carpet is $2 to $8 per square foot on average, with most homeowners paying around $2.75 per square foot. For a more detailed breakdown, see our carpet installation cost guide.
Carpet buying guide
| FEATURES | FACTS |
|---|---|
| Material / fiber choice | -Wool insulates best for cold & dry climates – Natural fibers repel oil & dirt stains best – Synthetic fibers repel water-based stains best. – Wool and nylon last longest. |
| Pile height | – Low-pile lasts longer, is denser, and easier to clean. – High-pile carpets are soft but harder to clean. – High-pile fibers show footprints & tread marks. |
| Twist level | – High-twist level carpets like frieze are more durable. -Low-twist level carpets like velvet wear out faster. |
| Face weight | <- Less than 30 oz. per SY carpet lasts less than 7 years. – 30 – 40 oz. per SY carpet lasts 7 – 12 years. – More than 40 oz. per SY carpet lasts 12+ years. |
| Carpet density | – 3,000 – 3,600 oz. per cubic yard is the minimum for homes – 4,000 – 5,000 oz. per cubic yard carpet lasts 12+ years – 5,000+ oz. per cubic yard is for commercial spaces |
| Fade / UV resistance | – Triexta and polyester blends – Olefin – Indoor/Outdoor carpets – Any solution-dyed carpet |
| Moisture resistance | – Olefin, Triexta, and nylon repel moisture best – Natural carpets (wool & sisal) absorb the most moisture – Indoor/Outdoor carpets are entirely waterproof |
| Hypoallergenic | – Synthetic carpets like Olefin repel mold & mildew. – Natural fibers have the least moisture resistance. – High-pile & shag carpets are the worst for allergies. |
| Pet-friendly | – Stain-resistant materials: Triexta, nylon, polyester, indoor/outdoor carpet. – Worst materials for pets: Berber weave, wool, sisal. |
| Wheelchairs | – Short-pile nylon with rubber padding lasts longer. – Commercial-grade carpets resist crushing. – Berber, frieze, & loop-pile carpets resist heavy traffic well |
How is carpet sold?
Carpet is typically sold by the square foot or square yard. One square yard equals 9 square feet. When comparing prices, make sure to check whether costs are listed by the square foot or square yard.
Carpet also comes in 12 ft or 15 ft wide rolls. Rooms that are wider than the roll width will require seaming two or more pieces together. Seaming can add $1 to $2 per linear foot to the installation cost.
Getting estimates from carpet companies
We recommend getting at least 3 estimates from reputable carpet installers near you. Look for companies that offer free in-home consultations, where they will measure your space, show you samples, and provide an itemized quote.
Be sure to ask for all-inclusive pricing that covers the carpet, padding, installation, and additional services like removal of old flooring. Beware of ultra low prices that seem too good to be true, as they often have hidden fees.
Questions to ask carpet installers
- What carpet brands and styles do you offer?
- Do you charge for measuring and providing an estimate?
- What is included in the installation cost?
- What type of padding do you recommend and why?
- How long will the installation take?
- Do you move furniture and remove old flooring?
- What kind of warranty do you provide on your work?
- Are there any additional fees I should know about?
- How do you handle leftover carpet?
- What type of payment do you accept and when is it due?
Asking these questions will help ensure you find a trustworthy carpet installer and get the best value for your investment.
