Rug Pad Guide
What size rug pad do you need?
A rug pad should sit 1–2 inches inside the rug's edge on every side. That keeps the pad invisible, lets the rug's edge taper to the floor, and still grips the full walking surface.
Step-by-step
Measure the rug, not the label
Listed rug sizes are nominal — a "5x7" often measures 5'3" x 7'3". Pull a tape across the actual rug and write down both dimensions in feet and inches.
Subtract 2–4 inches from each dimension
That's 1–2 inches per side. An 8' x 10' rug wants a pad around 7'8" x 9'8" — close enough that the whole rug is supported, small enough that the pad never shows.
Pick the closest pre-made size — or go custom
If a stock pad lands within a couple of inches of your target, take it. If nothing does, we cut pads to the inch: custom areas up to 12' x 99', and runner pads in 2' and 3' widths up to 99' long.
When in doubt, round down
A pad that's slightly small still does its job. A pad that peeks past the rug's edge shows, collects dirt, and turns the border into a ridge underfoot.
Trim at home for odd shapes
Round rug, angled alcove, notch for a hearth — dense felt cuts cleanly with household scissors. Order the rectangle that covers the shape, then trim to match, keeping the 1–2 inch inset.
Lay it flat and set the rug on top
No adhesive, no tape — the natural rubber layer grips on its own. If the pad shifts over time, lift the rug and reposition it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ordering the pad in the rug's listed size — the pad ends up the same size or bigger and sticks out past the edge.
- Measuring the room instead of the rug — the pad's job is to sit under the rug, not to fill the floor.
- Oversizing "to be safe" — with rug pads, safe is smaller; exposed pad is the one outcome you can't fix without recutting.
One pad, cut to fit
Every pad we make is the same honest spec — 1/4-inch dense felt on a natural rubber grip. Pre-made sizes, custom areas cut to the inch, and runner pads up to 99 feet. Ships same day if ordered by 2pm ET; otherwise the next business day.
Shop rug padsFrequently asked
Should a rug pad be the same size as the rug?
No — 1 to 2 inches smaller on each side. A same-size pad shows at the edges and holds the rug's border up off the floor; the inset lets the edge taper down cleanly while the pad still grips everywhere you actually walk.
What if my rug is an odd size?
Two options: order a custom pad cut to the inch (we cut any rectangle up to 12' x 99'), or take the nearest larger stock size and trim it down at home with scissors. Custom is the cleaner result; trimming is the faster one.
Does the sizing rule change for runners?
Same rule, tighter tolerances — a hallway runner only has a few inches of floor showing on each side, so an oversized pad shows immediately. Runner pads come in 2' and 3' widths and are cut to your exact length.
What thickness should the pad be?
For most rooms, 1/4 inch — enough dense felt to cushion, low enough to clear doors. Every pad we make is 1/4-inch felt over natural rubber; the thickness guide covers when that's right and when it isn't.
More rug pad guides
Rug Pad Guide
How thick should a rug pad be?
For most rooms, 1/4 inch is the answer: enough dense felt to feel underfoot, low enough to clear door swings and keep the rug's edge from becoming a trip point. It's the only thickness we make — on purpose.
Read guide
Rug Pad Guide
Are rug pads safe for hardwood floors?
A good rug pad is the best thing you can put between a rug and a hardwood floor — and the grip layer decides good. Natural rubber and felt protect the finish; adhesive backings and plasticized grips are the ones that leave marks.
Read guide