Size chart
| Rug | Square feet | Room size with 18 in of floor showing | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3' x 5' | 15 | 6' x 8' | Room & Board groups 3 x 5 and smaller rugs with its entryway, bath and kitchen rugs. |
| 5' x 8' | 40 | 8' x 11' | Small living rooms: Room & Board says the rug should be a bit longer than the sofa, with at least 8 to 12 inches on either side. |
| 6' x 9' | 54 | 9' x 12' | Living rooms with the front sofa and chair legs on the rug (Room & Board). |
| 8' x 10' | 80 | 11' x 13' | Medium living rooms (Wayfair). |
| 9' x 12' | 108 | 12' x 15' | Large living rooms, leaving about 18 inches of floor exposed around the rug (Room & Board). |
| 10' x 14' | 140 | 13' x 17' | A king bed with two nightstands, for large primary bedrooms (Room & Board). |
Living room rules
- All legs on: a large rug holds every leg of the sofa and chairs. Room & Board suggests leaving about 18 inches of floor showing around a 9 x 12.
- Front legs on: with a 6 x 9, put the front legs of the sofa and chairs on the rug.
- Sofa scale: Wayfair says a rug under a sofa should extend at least 6 inches past each end; Room & Board suggests 8 to 12 inches for a 5 x 8.
Bedroom rules
- Wayfair: an 8 x 10 under a queen, a 9 x 12 under a king. With all legs on the rug, it should reach at least 18 to 24 inches past the bed.
- Room & Board: place the rug about two-thirds of the way under the bed. A 10 x 14 takes a king bed plus nightstands.
Dining room rules
Wayfair: the rug should reach at least 24 inches, and no more than 36 inches, beyond every side of the table so chairs stay on it when pulled out.
Runners
Wayfair: leave at least 6 inches of floor visible on each side of a hallway runner.
Use the rug size calculator for your room.
Sources: Room & Board, "How to Choose a Rug Size"; Wayfair, "How to Choose the Right Rug Size".
