Calculator + chartEnter your measurements below and it works the answer out.
An 8 × 10 ft rug is the usual answer under a queen bed. A queen is 60 × 80 in, so showing 18 in of rug on both sides needs 96 in of width — which is exactly an 8 × 10. A 9 × 12 gives a more generous border if the room takes it.
| Placement | Rug | What shows | Room it needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under the whole bed | 8 × 10 ft | 18 in each side, 40 in past the foot | Needs a room about 10 × 12 ft |
| More generous border | 9 × 12 ft | 24 in each side | Needs a room about 11 × 14 ft |
| From below the nightstands | 6 × 9 ft | Covers the lower two-thirds | Needs a room about 8 × 11 ft |
| Runners either side | Two 2.5 × 8 ft | Covers where you step out | Any room that fits the bed |
Sized to show at least 18 in of rug at each side and past the foot, and to leave at least 6 in of floor between the rug and every wall.
Three placements, and the room decides which you get. Under the whole bed, from below the nightstands, or runners either side. All three are proper answers; the largest is not automatically the right one.
The 18-inch rule. A rug under a bed exists so you step onto it, so it has to show at least 18 inches at each side and past the foot. That single number generates every size on this page: bed width + 36 in is the rug width you need.
Then the walls. Leave at least 6 inches of floor between the rug and every wall. Closer than that and the rug reads as fitted carpet, runs under the wardrobe, and catches the door.
When the two collide, go smaller and change the placement. A rug that satisfies the 18-inch rule but runs to the skirting is worse than a smaller rug placed from below the nightstands. The calculator tells you which dimension ran out.
An 8 × 10 ft rug. A queen is 60 in wide, and showing 18 in of rug on each side needs 96 in — which is exactly the width of an 8 × 10. It is the reason that size is the standard answer.
No, not under the bed. A 5 × 8 is 60 in wide, the same as the mattress, so nothing shows at the sides at all. Use it at the foot of the bed instead, running across.
An 8 × 10 if the room is around 10 × 12 ft, a 9 × 12 if it is 11 × 14 or larger. The 9 × 12 gives a 24 in border instead of 18, which looks more generous — but only if there is still floor showing at the walls.
At least 18 inches at the sides and past the foot. That is the distance you actually step onto, and it is why the number exists.
A 6 × 9 started below the nightstands, or two 2.5 × 8 runners either side. Both are proper placements rather than compromises, and both beat an 8 × 10 that runs to the walls.
No. Runners either side cover where you step out and cost far less. What does not work is a small rug floating at the foot of the bed touching nothing — it makes the room look smaller.