HowMuchIt / Rug size
What size rug do I need?
Start from the room, leave a border of bare floor, and the largest standard rug that fits is the usual answer. Dining rooms work from the table instead: the chairs must stay on the rug.
Work out your rug size
| Room | Rule |
|---|---|
| Living room | at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs on the rug; 8x10 is the most common, 9x12 for larger rooms |
| Dining room | about 24 in (up to 36) past every edge of the table; a table for 6 takes an 8x10 |
| Bedroom | 18 to 24 in past each side of the bed; queen 8x10 (6x9 smaller), king 9x12 |
| Hallway runner | 4 to 6 in narrower than the hall |
Living room and bedroom
Leave 18 to 24 inches of bare floor between the rug and the walls in most rooms, about 12 to 18 in a small one. In a living room, at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs should rest on the rug; 8x10 is the most common size, 9x12 for larger rooms. In a bedroom, the rug should reach 18 to 24 inches past each side of the bed: an 8x10 under a queen bed, a 9x12 under a king.
Dining room and hallway
A dining rug should reach about 24 inches past every edge of the table, up to 36, so a pulled-out chair stays on it; a table for six usually takes an 8x10. A hallway runner should be 4 to 6 inches narrower than the hall.
Questions people ask
What size rug for a 12 x 14 room?
With 18 inches of floor all round, up to 9 by 11 ft: an 8x10.
Should furniture sit on the rug?
At least the front legs, in a living room.
Good to know
- In a living room, at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs should rest on the rug.1,2,3
- 8x10 ft is the most common living room size; 9x12 ft suits larger rooms.1,2,3
- Leave a border of bare floor between rug and walls: 18 to 24 in in most rooms, about 12 to 18 in in smaller rooms (at least 1 ft).1,2,3
- A dining rug should reach about 24 in (up to 36 in) past every edge of the table so pulled-out chairs stay on it.1,2
- A table that seats 6 usually takes an 8x10 ft rug (9x12 ft for more room).1,2,3
- A bedroom rug should extend about 18 to 24 in beyond each side of the bed.1,2
- Under a queen bed, an 8x10 ft rug is the usual choice (6x9 ft for a smaller look).2,3
- Under a king bed, use a 9x12 ft rug.2,3
- A hallway runner should be about 4 to 6 in narrower than the hall, leaving floor showing on each side.1,2
How we checked this page
Checked on October 27, 2026. We kept a fact only when two independent publishers agree, and each one is numbered to its sources below. Where sources give different numbers, we keep only what they share. We never write a price. This page was written with an AI assistant and checked against the sources below.
Sources
- Rug Size Guide: How to Choose the Right Area Rug Size for Every Room, Rugknots
- Rug Size Chart: What Size Rug for Every Room, Well Woven
- Rug Size Guide, Boutique Rugs