Rug Sizes: Standard Dimensions in Feet, Inches and Centimeters
Standard area rug sizes in feet, inches and centimeters, the metric sizes sold in Europe, runner and round sizes, and the measurements that decide which rug fits a living room, dining room, bedroom or hallway.
Standard rectangular rugs are 2 × 3, 3 × 5, 4 × 6, 5 × 8, 6 × 9, 8 × 10, 9 × 12, 10 × 14 and 12 × 15 ft. The two most common room sizes are 5 × 8 ft (152 × 244 cm) and 8 × 10 ft (244 × 305 cm). In Europe the equivalent sizes are 160 × 230 cm and 200 × 300 cm.
- 5 × 8 ft
- 152 × 244 cm
- 8 × 10 ft
- 244 × 305 cm
- 9 × 12 ft
- 274 × 366 cm
- Runner
- 2.5 × 8 ft (76 × 244 cm)
On this page
Standard rug sizes in feet, inches and cm
US rugs are named by their nominal size in feet. The table converts each to inches, centimeters and floor area.
| Rug (ft) | Inches | Centimeters | Area | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 × 3 | 24 × 36 | 61 × 91 | 6 sq ft (0.56 m²) | Doormat, sink, beside a bed |
| 3 × 5 | 36 × 60 | 91 × 152 | 15 sq ft (1.39 m²) | Entryway, kitchen, small bedside |
| 4 × 6 | 48 × 72 | 122 × 183 | 24 sq ft (2.23 m²) | Small sitting area, nursery |
| 5 × 8 | 60 × 96 | 152 × 244 | 40 sq ft (3.72 m²) | Small living room, under a twin or full bed |
| 6 × 9 | 72 × 108 | 183 × 274 | 54 sq ft (5.02 m²) | Living room, full bed, small dining |
| 8 × 10 | 96 × 120 | 244 × 305 | 80 sq ft (7.43 m²) | Living room, queen bed, 6-seat dining |
| 9 × 12 | 108 × 144 | 274 × 366 | 108 sq ft (10.03 m²) | Large living room, king bed |
| 10 × 14 | 120 × 168 | 305 × 427 | 140 sq ft (13.01 m²) | Great rooms, 8-10 seat dining |
| 12 × 15 | 144 × 180 | 366 × 457 | 180 sq ft (16.72 m²) | Very large rooms, near wall-to-wall |
Going up one size adds far more floor than the names suggest. A 6 × 9 has 35% more area than a 5 × 8, an 8 × 10 has 48% more than a 6 × 9, and a 9 × 12 has 35% more than an 8 × 10.
Metric rug sizes (Europe and UK)
Rugs sold in centimeter sizes do not match US sizes exactly. Most are a little smaller than the US size they replace.
| Centimeters | Feet and inches | Closest US size |
|---|---|---|
| 60 × 90 | 2 ft × 2 ft 11 in | 2 × 3 |
| 80 × 150 | 2 ft 7 in × 4 ft 11 in | Between 2 × 3 and 3 × 5 |
| 120 × 170 | 3 ft 11 in × 5 ft 7 in | 4 × 6 (shorter) |
| 160 × 230 | 5 ft 3 in × 7 ft 7 in | 5 × 8 |
| 200 × 290 / 200 × 300 | 6 ft 7 in × 9 ft 6 in / 9 ft 10 in | Between 6 × 9 and 8 × 10 |
| 240 × 340 | 7 ft 10 in × 11 ft 2 in | 8 × 11; a smaller 9 × 12 |
A rug sold as "8 × 10" often measures 7 ft 10 in × 9 ft 10 in, and a rug made in the metric 160 × 230 cm size may be listed as 5 × 8 although it measures 5 ft 3 in × 7 ft 7 in. When a rug has to clear a door or meet furniture legs exactly, check the actual measurements, not the size name.
Runner and round rug sizes
| Runner | Inches | Centimeters | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 × 6 ft | 24 × 72 | 61 × 183 | Kitchen galley, beside a bed |
| 2.5 × 8 ft (2 ft 6 in) | 30 × 96 | 76 × 244 | Most hallways 36-42 in wide |
| 2.5 × 10 ft | 30 × 120 | 76 × 305 | Long halls |
| 2.5 × 12 ft | 30 × 144 | 76 × 366 | Very long halls, two runners end to end otherwise |
| 3 × 10-12 ft | 36 × 120-144 | 91 × 305-366 | Halls 44-48 in wide |
Round rugs come in 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 ft diameters (122, 152, 183, 244 and 305 cm). Leave 4-6 in (10-15 cm) of floor on each side of a hallway runner, and 6-12 in (15-30 cm) at each end.
Living room rug size
Size the rug from the furniture group, not the room. Three layouts are standard:
- All legs on: every piece of seating sits fully on the rug. Usually 9 × 12 ft or larger. Most cohesive, needs a big room.
- Front legs on: the front legs of the sofa and chairs sit on the rug, the back legs on the floor. Usually 8 × 10 ft. The most common layout.
- Floating: only the coffee table sits on the rug, with furniture around it. A 5 × 8 ft works in a small room; the rug should still be wider than the coffee table by 12 in or more each side.
The rug should also be longer than the sofa: aim for at least 6 in (15 cm) of rug beyond each end. An 84 in (7 ft) sofa needs a rug at least 96 in (8 ft) wide, so an 8 × 10 with its 10 ft side along the sofa, or a 9 × 12. Sofa lengths are in the sofa size guide.
Leave a border of bare floor between rug and walls: 18 in (46 cm) in most rooms, 8-12 in (20-30 cm) in small rooms. A 12 × 15 ft room with an 18 in border takes a 9 × 12 ft rug.
Bedroom rug size by bed
A bedroom rug usually starts under the lower two-thirds of the bed, a few inches in front of the nightstands, and extends past the foot. Laid crosswise, the rug's long side runs across the bed's width.
| Bed (width × length) | Rug | Rug showing on each side |
|---|---|---|
| Twin 38 × 75 in | 5 × 8 ft (152 × 244 cm) | 29 in (74 cm) |
| Full 54 × 75 in | 6 × 9 ft (183 × 274 cm) | 27 in (69 cm) |
| Queen 60 × 80 in | 8 × 10 ft (244 × 305 cm) | 30 in (76 cm) |
| King 76 × 80 in | 9 × 12 ft (274 × 366 cm) | 34 in (86 cm) |
| California king 72 × 84 in | 9 × 12 ft (274 × 366 cm) | 36 in (91 cm) |
Instead of one large rug, two 2.5 × 8 ft runners or a pair of 3 × 5 ft rugs on each side of the bed give a soft landing at lower cost. Bed frames add several inches to the mattress size; see bed frame dimensions and mattress sizes.
Dining room rug size
Add 24 in (61 cm) on every side of the table, so a pulled-out chair stays on the rug. That is 48 in added to both the length and the width.
| Table | Minimum rug | Standard rug |
|---|---|---|
| 36 × 60 in (4 seats) | 84 × 108 in | 8 × 10 ft (7 × 9 is rare) |
| 42 × 72 in (6 seats) | 90 × 120 in | 8 × 10 ft |
| 42 × 84 in (8 seats) | 90 × 132 in | 9 × 12 ft |
| 42 × 108 in (10 seats) | 90 × 156 in | 10 × 14 ft |
| 48 in round | 96 in diameter | 8 ft round or 8 × 8 ft square |
| 60 in round | 108 in diameter | 10 ft round |
Table sizes by seat count are in the dining table dimensions guide. In dining rooms, a flat-weave or low-pile rug lets chairs slide.
Pile height, door clearance and rug pads
- Pile height: low pile is under about 1/4 in (6 mm), medium 1/4-1/2 in (6-13 mm), high pile and shag above 1/2 in. Measure the gap under any door that will swing over the rug; with a pad, the total thickness must be less than that gap.
- Rug pads: cut about 1-2 in (3-5 cm) smaller than the rug on every side. Felt pads add about 1/8-3/8 in (3-10 mm).
- Bathrooms and kitchens: washable rugs with non-slip backing work better than area rugs. See bath mat sizes.
- Outdoors: use rugs made of polypropylene or polyester that can stay wet. Sizes and patio layouts are in the outdoor rug size guide.
Frequently asked questions
What size rug goes under a queen bed?
An 8 × 10 ft (244 × 305 cm) rug, laid with the 10 ft side across the bed. A queen is 60 in wide, so the rug extends 30 in (76 cm) on each side. Slide it so it starts 6-12 in in front of the nightstands and runs past the foot of the bed.
What size rug do I need under a dining table?
Add 24 in (61 cm) on every side of the table so chairs stay on the rug when pulled out. A 42 × 72 in table needs at least 90 × 120 in, which is an 8 × 10 ft rug. A 48 in round table needs an 8 ft round rug; a 60 in round table needs a 9-10 ft round rug.
What sizes do outdoor rugs come in above 9 × 12?
Outdoor rugs above 9 × 12 ft are usually 10 × 14 ft (305 × 427 cm), with some ranges offering 12 × 15 ft (366 × 457 cm) or custom-cut sizes. Most outdoor collections stop at 9 × 12 or 10 × 14, so very large patios often use two rugs. See the outdoor rug size guide for patio layouts.
Is an 8 × 10 rug exactly 8 by 10 feet?
Often not. Many machine-made rugs sold as 8 × 10 measure 7 ft 10 in × 9 ft 10 in or similar, a few inches under nominal. Hand-knotted rugs vary even more. Check the actual size in the product details if the fit is tight.
What size rug pad do I need?
Buy a pad about 1-2 in (3-5 cm) smaller than the rug on every side, so the pad does not show and the rug edges lie flat. Most pads are sold in the standard rug sizes and labeled to be trimmed with scissors.