Persian Rug Sizes: Traditional Names, Dimensions and How to Measure
In Iran, and in any Persian carpet showroom, you will hear sizes spoken as names rather than numbers. A customer asks for a "zar o nim", a colleague mentions a "12 metre", and a carpet is described as a "pardeyi". These names are genuinely useful shorthand, but they are categories, not measurements.
This guide converts the traditional size names into real dimensions, explains how carpets are actually measured, and shows how to choose a size that fits the room rather than the label.
Small and medium carpets: the traditional names
| Size name | Typical dimensions | Actual area |
|---|---|---|
| Poshti | 50 × 70 cm | 0.35 m² |
| Zar o charak | 80 × 120 cm | 0.96 m² |
| Zar o nim | 1 × 1.5 m | 1.50 m² |
| Qaliche (Tabriz or Isfahan) | 1.5 × 2 m | 3.00 m² |
| Qaliche (Qom) | 1.3 × 2 m | 2.60 m² |
| Pardeyi | More than 3.5 m² and less than 6 m² | Use the actual dimensions |
Notice that a qaliche is not the same size everywhere: a Qom qaliche is typically narrower than a Tabriz or Isfahan one. Zar is a traditional unit of length, and the names built from it now work as trade categories. They should not be treated as a universal conversion formula, and different sellers may use them slightly differently.
Browse by real dimensions instead: 100 × 150 cm, 150 × 200 cm, 150 × 250 cm.
Room-size carpets: the "metre" names
Larger carpets are usually named by their approximate area in square metres. The name is rounded, so always check the real dimensions.
| Trade size | Typical dimensions | Actual area |
|---|---|---|
| 6 metre | 2 × 3 m | 6 m² |
| 9 metre | 2.5 × 3.5 m | 8.75 m² |
| 12 metre | 3 × 4 m | 12 m² |
| 18 metre | 3.5 × 5 m | 17.5 m² |
| 24 metre | 4 × 6 m | 24 m² |
| 40 metre | 5 × 8 m | 40 m² |
| 60 metre | 6 × 10 m | 60 m² |
| 70 metre | 7 × 10 m | 70 m² |
| 96 metre | 8 × 12 m | 96 m² |
| 100 metre | 10 × 10 m | 100 m² |
Two of these names are nominal. A "9 metre" carpet of 2.5 × 3.5 m is 8.75 m², and an "18 metre" of 3.5 × 5 m is 17.5 m². The label does not change the arithmetic, which matters whenever something is priced per square metre.
Browse: 200 × 300 cm, 250 × 350 cm, 300 × 400 cm, 350 × 500 cm, 400 × 600 cm.
Very large and unusual sizes
Carpets above 24 m² are a particular strength of our collection. These pieces need substantial space and serve a specialised customer: palaces, large villas, hotel lobbies, majlis and reception halls. Examples in the collection include 4.5 × 7 m, 1.5 × 13 m, 10 × 15 m and 6 × 12 m. A long, narrow format such as 1.5 × 13 m can be exactly what a gallery or hall needs.
Among the largest works we hold is a pair of carpets measuring 20 × 30 m each, from a design by Master Khiabani. That is 600 m² per carpet.
When carpets come as a pair, the dimensions describe each piece. Two 6 × 12 m carpets are two carpets of 72 m² each, not one continuous carpet of 144 m². See our handmade carpets larger than 24 m².
How carpets are measured
Recorded dimensions exclude the loose fringe. On some carpets, however, a woven kilim end is included in the measured length. If the carpet has to fit a specific space, ask for the measurement of that actual piece and check whether it includes an end section. A good seller will not silently add or subtract either one.
For a rectangular carpet, area is simply length × width in metres. For a round carpet, the stated figure is the diameter: the full width across the circle, not the radius. Our round, square and runner collections list real dimensions for each piece.
One more practical point: do not estimate a carpet's weight from its area. Structure, material, pile and finishing all change the weight, so for transport ask for the measured figure.
Choosing the right size for your room
- Measure the room, or send us a floor plan. Photographs of the space help too.
- Mark where the main furniture will stand and decide how much of the carpet will stay visible.
- Decide how much border you want to see. A medallion carpet usually looks best when the medallion is not hidden under a sofa.
- Allow clearance around doors and walkways, especially for thick-pile carpets.
- Work from real dimensions in metres or centimetres, never from the size name alone.
If you are used to "standard" sizes from another country, be aware that common manufacturing ranges differ between markets and suppliers. It is usually better to start from the room than from a list of standard sizes.
If you are not sure, we can come to you. In Dubai, ask about our home visit and Free Home Trial, where we measure the space and lay out carpets in place.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a zar o nim carpet?
A zar o nim is typically about 1 × 1.5 m, an area of 1.5 m². Always confirm the actual dimensions of the individual carpet.
What does a 12 metre carpet mean?
It is a trade size for a carpet of about 3 × 4 m, an area of 12 m². The name describes the approximate area, not the length.
Is a 9 metre carpet really 9 square metres?
No. A 9 metre carpet of 2.5 × 3.5 m is 8.75 m². The name is a nominal category.
Does a carpet's size include the fringe?
Recorded dimensions normally exclude the loose fringe. On some carpets a woven kilim end is included, so ask for the measurement of the actual piece if the fit is tight.
What is the largest Persian carpet in your collection?
Among the largest works in our collection is a pair of carpets measuring 20 × 30 m each, 600 m² per carpet, from a design by Master Khiabani.
Tell us the room, we will find the size
Send us the dimensions of your space, or a floor plan, and we will suggest carpets that fit it, including unusual sizes that are hard to find elsewhere.
- WhatsApp: +971 56 322 0485
- Showroom: +971 4 250 2123 — Al Barsha 2, Dubai
- Email: info@azimzadeh.ae
Azimzadeh — Persian carpets since 1969. Dubai showroom: Azimzadeh Carpet Trading LLC, Al Barsha 2. Size names follow our showroom terminology. Confirm current stock and the measured dimensions of any carpet before you commit to it.
Related reading: Persian carpet designs explained · why very large carpets cost more · ordering a custom-size carpet
