Rug Size Calculator
The most common rug mistake is buying too small — a 5×8 floating in the middle of a large living room makes the whole space feel disconnected. The right size depends less on the room and more on what the rug needs to anchor: the seating group, the bed, or the dining table.
This tool applies the standard interior design sizing rules to your room and layout, then recommends the closest standard rug size so you can actually buy it.
How this tool works
- Living rooms: the rug should reach under at least the front legs of all main seating, with 12–18 inches of bare floor at the room edges.
- Dining rooms: the rug needs to extend 24–30 inches beyond the table on every side so chairs stay on the rug when pulled out.
- Bedrooms: the rug should extend 18–24 inches beyond the sides and foot of the bed.
- Recommendations snap to standard sizes (5×8, 6×9, 8×10, 9×12, 10×14) because custom sizing doubles the price.
Frequently asked questions
What size rug should I get for my living room?
For most living rooms, an 8×10 is the workhorse size — large enough to sit under the front legs of a sofa and chairs. Rooms larger than about 12×15 feet usually need a 9×12 or bigger so the seating group does not float off the rug.
What size rug goes under a queen bed?
An 8×10 rug is the standard recommendation for a queen bed, placed perpendicular to the bed and starting just in front of the nightstands. It gives you 2+ feet of soft landing on both sides and at the foot.
How much floor should show around a rug?
The classic rule is 12–18 inches of visible floor between the rug edge and the walls in a living room, and at least 6–8 inches in smaller rooms. Wall-to-wall rug coverage makes a room read as carpeted, not styled.
Can a rug be too big for a room?
Yes — if the rug runs within a few inches of every wall it loses its job of defining a zone and just becomes carpet. If you are between sizes and the smaller one still fits under the key furniture, the smaller size usually looks more intentional.