Rug Size Chart and Guide

Everything You Need To Know About Rug Sizes When Shopping For Rugs For Your Home

When you are designing or redesigning a space, finding the right rug can truly tie all of the elements of a room together. Area rugs provide comfort, warmth and beauty in even the most utilitarian of spaces. But, we understand that finding the right rug can feel like a lofty challenge.

You might have size related questions about area rugs like:

• How do you know what size rug the room should have?
• How do you choose a rug for a sectional sofa?
• Should your rug be bigger or smaller than your furniture?
• How much space do I need to leave to account for dining room chairs?

In this rug size guide, we’re sharing some of the industry standards and more popular rug sizes. We will also explain and offer suggestions of how you might go about choosing a rug size for the different rooms in your home. As you read, we encourage you to remember that this information is merely guidance, and choosing a rug that speaks to you and your personal style — regardless of size — is perhaps most important.

What Are More Standard and Normal Sizes for Rugs?

Rugs are available in almost any size and shape imaginable. This is especially true when you consider the wide array of antique, vintage and modern rugs. Some of the older decades or even centuries old rugs hark back to differing uses and therefore differing sizes of rugs. With that said, there are certainly some rug sizes that are more commonly available than others.

For most sizes and shapes of rugs, you’ll see a listing that contains two numbers: length and width. The first number generally refers to the width, while the second number refers to the length.

Listed below, you’ll find charts of standard rug sizes in inches and feet as well as standard rug sizes in cm (centimeters) and meters:

Chart Of Standard Rug Sizes in Feet

Here are the most common rug sizes, listed in the imperial system:

Feet	Inches
3 ft x 5 ft	36 in x 60 in
4 ft x 6 ft	48 in x 72 in
5 ft x 7 ft	60 in x 84 in
5 ft x 8 ft	60 in x 96 in
6 ft x 9 ft	72 in x 108 in
8 ft x 10 ft	96 in x 120 in
9 ft x 12 ft	108 in x 144 in
10 ft x 14 ft	120 in x 168 in
12 ft x 15 ft	144 in x 180 in
12 ft x 18 ft	144 in x 216 in
14 ft x 20 ft	168 in x 240 in

Standard Rug Sizes in Meters

Here are the most common rug sizes, listed in the metric system:

Meters	Centimeters
.91 m x 1.22 m	91 cm x 122 cm
1.22 m x 1.83 m	122 cm x 183 cm
1.52 m x 2.13 m	152 cm x 213 cm
1.52 m x 2.44	152 cm x 244 cm
1.83 m x 2.74 m	183 cm x 274 cm
2.44 m x 3.05 m	244 cm x 305 cm
2.74 m x 3.66 m	274 cm x 366 cm
3.05 m x 4.27 m	305 cm x 427 cm
3.66 m x 4.57 m	366 cm x 457 cm
3.66 m x 5.49 m	366 cm x 549 cm
4.72 m x 6.1 m	472 cm x 610 cm

How Do You Standardize, Group and Categorize Rug Sizes?

Each of the above rug sizes — and all the other various sizes and shapes — can be grouped into six basic size categories: small, room size, large, extra large, gallery and runner.

The size basic rug size categories are:

• Small rugs are less than 9 feet in length. They are ideal for adding a touch of character, color, or warmth to a room or small space. Small rugs are commonly used in the kitchen, in an entryway or foyer, underneath a coffee table or in a small nook. You could even layer small rugs to provide more coverage while still capitalizing on the beauty or pattern of a particular piece.
• Room size rugs are between 9 and 15 feet in length. These are perhaps the most popular rug size, and they’re what you typically think of when it comes to defining a space or decorating a room. Room size rugs provide the perfect pop of color for a living room, bedroom, office or dining room.
• Large rugs are between 15 and 20 feet in length. These pieces are an excellent option for those hoping to fill an entire room or for those shopping for something to fit a larger, more expansive room. While a rug of any size can certainly act as a focal point in a room, large rugs in particular evoke a commanding presence, transforming and enhancing the rooms they live in.
• Extra large rugs, sometimes referred to as oversized rugs, are more than 20 feet in length. These carpets can accommodate even the grandest of interiors by adding style and comfort to particularly large spaces. Historically, extra large oversized rugs were often commissioned by wealthy families, which means every piece offers its own unique story.
• Runner rugs are much longer than they are wide, and they’re most commonly displayed in hallways. However, runner rugs can also work wonderfully well in a high-traffic area like the kitchen—particularly in a galley kitchen—at the foot of a bed or beneath a console table behind a sofa.
• Gallery size rugs, similar to hallway runner rugs. But while runner rugs are meant for use in narrow and long hallways, gallery size rugs are intended to be used in wider and longer spaces.

What’s a Good Size For an Area Rug?

When it comes time to go rug shopping — perhaps as you design or redesign a space — there are various factors that you might consider. What color or rug style speaks to you? Are you looking for a durable rug that can hold up well in a high-traffic area? And, for some, most importantly, what size rug do you need?

Below are some general interior design principles that can tell you what an appropriate size for an area rug is:

• How much smaller should a rug be than the room? Most interior designers agree that you should leave approximately 18 to 24 inches of space around an area rug. These days, there aren’t many hard and fast rules regarding rug size based on room size beyond this. This is particularly true for rooms with stunning hardwood floors or tile where you may wish to display your flooring and your rug.
• Is it better to have a bigger or smaller rug? The answer is somewhere in the middle. A rug that’s too small might get lost or appear to float in a room, while a rug that’s too large could make a room appear smaller.
• Is a 5’x7′ size rug small? While it technically falls into the small size rug category, it can be the perfect size area rug for a smaller room—perhaps under a desk or in a reading nook.
• Is an 8’x10′ rug big? This size of rug falls into the category of room size rugs. It can work well in a cozy living room or sitting space. On the other hand, it may be too small for large dining room tables.
• Is a 9×12’ rug good for the living room? In general, yes. But this all depends upon the size of your sofa, as well as any coffee tables, end tables or accent chairs.

However, rules are sometimes meant to be broken. When placing and positioning rugs in your rooms, it all comes down to your own personal preferences and what you feel will enhance your space. In this next section, we’ve compiled some guidelines for choosing rug sizes for three common rooms in the home: the bedroom, the living room and the dining room. Use this information to guide your choices, knowing that options like layering or using multiple rugs can still provide the flexibility you may desire.

How To Choose a Rug Size for the Bedroom

In the bedroom, the central focal point is the bed; the size of the bed is the most critical element to consider when selecting a rug size. However, when shopping for bedroom rugs, you may also wish to think about any furniture that directly surrounds your bed — including nightstands, side tables, benches, or chests — as these pieces may well impact what size of rug you choose.

There are three primary ways to position an area rug in the bedroom, and the option you choose will impact the size of rug you may wish to purchase:

1. You could arrange the rug so it is completely under your bed. If you select this option, we recommend leaving 18 to 24 inches of space on either side of the bed to provide room for nightstands and a comfortable walkway. Will an 8×10’ rug fit under a king size bed? As a general rule, an 8×10 rug should suffice for a queen or king sized bed, assuming you do not have any furniture at the foot of the bed. If you do, a 9×12’ rug may work better. For a twin or full size bed, a rug that is at least 6×9’ should fit well.
2. You could arrange the rug so roughly two-thirds of it is covered by the bed, leaving the top of your bed without a rug beneath it. When selecting this option, it’s best to continue to leave 18 to 24 inches of space on each side to define that walkway. You’ll also find that this option works particularly well if you wish for your rug to extend well beyond the foot of your bed. With this layout, consider an 8×10’ rug for a queen bed and a 9×12’ rug for a king bed.
3. You may choose to simply place runners on either side of the bed—or just on one side if the bed is situated in a corner. For the most pleasing look, choose runners that are at least a few inches wider than your nightstand and that are not longer than your bed. To develop a basic rug size calculator for this layout, measure the width of your end tables and add 6 to 12 inches to your measurement. Then, measure from your headboard to footboard—your runner should not exceed this length.

How To Choose a Rug Size For the Living Room

Living rooms are spaces of rest and relaxation — an area for you and your family to gather and spend time with one another. Living room rugs can provide warmth and comfort as you and your loved ones build memories. When selecting a rug for this particular space, the size of the room as well as the furniture you select will often dictate the size of your rug.

There are three primary ways to position an area rug in the living room, offering multiple options for rug sizes:

1. You could position the rug so that all of the legs of the couch—and potentially any side or coffee tables—fit onto the rug, with at least six inches of space all the way around the rug. Depending upon your furniture, this layout may require a particularly large rug. This option works particularly well to define a seating area—and as such, is a popular choice for open concept rooms. What size area rug is for an open concept living room? In general, rugs that are at least 9×12’ will fit most living room sets.
2. You could display your rug so that the coffee table and the front legs of the sofa and any end tables fit comfortably—with at least six inches of space at the front of the rug. This option works particularly well in rooms where the back of a sofa is against the wall. Standard rug sizes for a living room with this layout include 8×10’ and 9×12’, depending upon your furniture.
3. You may choose to place a small rug under a coffee table exclusively. Displaying a rug in this way can make a small or narrow room appear larger. To choose a rug for this option, consider the size of your coffee table as well as the amount of space between your coffee table and your couches or chairs.

How To Choose a Rug Size for the Dining Room

Choosing rugs for your dining room offers slightly fewer standard options than other rooms. This is because you want to ensure that all of the legs of the table fit on the rug itself. Perhaps even more importantly, you also want to ensure that the rug extends roughly two feet beyond the table—ensuring that chairs can fit comfortably on the rug, even when individuals are seated.

When it comes to how to measure rug size for a dining room, the calculation is fairly simple. Measure both the length and width of your table. Then, add approximately 48 inches to each measurement to account for chairs. If your table does not have chairs on one or both ends, you will not need to add to those measurements. Remember to include any removable table leaves as you calculate size.

No matter which of the above options you end up using to place a rug in any room in your home, it can be helpful to visualize how it will look before making a purchase. The Nazmiyal rug visualizer tool lets you view rugs in your own space, helping you feel more confident in your selection.

Nazmiyal Collection Offers Rugs of All Shapes and Sizes

For more than three decades, Nazmiyal has been assembling one of the largest collections of rugs in the world. We invite you to search our complete collection of antique rugs, vintage rugs and modern rugs. Each of these pages allows you to sort by factors such as size and style to truly match you with beautiful rugs that fit your personal taste.