How Many Carpet Tiles Do I Need? Measuring Commercial Spaces Correctly

If you’re looking to update or refresh your flooring, here’s everything you need to know to make sure you’re measuring right to avoid spending more money than you need too!

How do I measure for carpet tiles? 

To work out how many carpet tiles you need, start by measuring the length and width of your room in metres and multiplying the 2 numbers together. This will calculate the square meterage of the space, for example if a room is 4m x 5m the square meterage of the room is 20. This is a simple formula that is easy to work out for a standard square or rectangular room. Once you have the square meterage, you want to multiply the total by 4, this will let you know how many 50x50cm tiles you will need for the room. With this total you want to add an extra 5-10% to allow for cut offs and waste.

To put it simply:

• Measure the length and width of your room and multiply to two numbers together.
• Multiply this total by 4
• Add 5-10%

If your room is an awkward shape:

• Split it up into smaller sections (drawing it out on a piece of paper may help!)
• Calculate each area
• Add them together

Top tip: It is always advisable to buy a few more tiles than you actually need to allow for cutting tiles to fit the space and any mishaps along the way! Left over tiles can be kept to use as replacements if any damages or spillages happen.

Working out your wastage 

One thing to consider when measuring for carpet tiles is wastage, the room layout and tile design will affect cuts/ offcuts and overall how many tiles you will need. For simple spaces, square or rectangular rooms, with a simple straight lay pattern may only require an extra 5%. If your room is a more awkward shape, L-shaped or alcoves to consider, it is safer to go with an extra 10% or more.

How you plan to lay your carpet tiles will also have an impact on how many you will need. A standard layout where all the tiles run the same way will typically produce less waste. If you go for a more decorative design, such as herringbone or quarter-turn they require more tiles to achieve clean edges and consistency.

How do I measure carpet tiles for stairs? 

Measuring carpet tiles for stairs is slightly different to measuring for a flat room. With stairs you need to account for the thread (where you step) and the riser (the vertical front). You will need to measure the width of the step, the depth of the tread and height of the riser. Add the depth and height together and times it by the width of the step and how many stairs there are in total. Don’t forget to factor in your waste!

Think about the future! 

One of the biggest benefits to carpet tiles is how easy it is to replace individual tiles if they ever become damaged or stained. If you end up with more than you need it allows you to keep tiles spare for any future maintenance.

Another thing to note, dye lots of carpet tiles can change meaning an exact colour match isn’t always guaranteed. Having a box spare from your original installation will help keep a consistent appearance in the long run.

For expert advice on how to measure your space correctly, contact our team today or view our full range of carpet tile options today!