How Much Does It Cost to Carpet a 12x20 Room?
Updated July 2026 · Pricing data from Floormath's flooring cost model
A 12×20 room measures 240 square feet. Using Floormath's current pricing model — 7 real carpet product tiers plus professional labor — installing carpet in a room this size runs $689 to $5,766, and most homeowners land near $1,617.
Cost by carpet product tier for a 12x20 room
| Product tier | Material | Installed range | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester Cut-Pile Carpet | $1.69/sf | $689–$1,344 | $950 |
| Berber Loop-Pile Carpet | $3.29/sf | $980–$2,070 | $1,433 |
| Frieze / Twist Carpet | $3.79/sf | $1,112–$2,202 | $1,565 |
| Nylon Cut-Pile Carpet | $3.99/sf | $1,165–$2,334 | $1,617 |
| Triexta Pet-Friendly Carpet | $4.49/sf | $1,297–$2,466 | $1,749 |
| Pet-Proof Performance Carpet | $6.49/sf | $1,747–$3,192 | $2,337 |
| Wool Carpet — Luxury | $9.99/sf | $2,197–$5,766 | $3,321 |
Totals include 10% material waste and professional installation. Carpet rows include a standard rebond pad at $0.60/sf.
What moves the number in a 12x20 room
The spread comes almost entirely from product tier: Polyester Cut-Pile Carpet and Wool Carpet — Luxury are several dollars per square foot apart, which compounds to a four-figure gap in a 240 sq ft room. Labor is steadier — about $420 here at national rates, drifting 15–25% with your state. Every figure already carries the industry-standard 10% material waste allowance.
See your exact 12x20 room cost with your state's labor rates
Run the free calculator →Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way to floor a 12x20 room with carpet?
The budget tier (Polyester Cut-Pile Carpet) installed professionally starts around $689. Installing it yourself removes the labor line entirely and can cut the total by 30–45%.
How long does a 240 sq ft carpet install take?
A professional crew typically completes a single 240 sq ft room in half a day, plus removal time if old flooring is coming out.
Will my state change these 12x20 room prices?
Materials barely move by state, but labor does — Floormath adjusts installation from 0.80x in the cheapest markets to 1.25x in the priciest. On this room that swings the labor line by up to ±$105.