The short version
- Typical range: £20 – £150
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Home & Garden
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used rug is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for rugs, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £150 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £127 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £97 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £67 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £37 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a rug
- Hand-knotted construction with visible knots on the back
- Natural wool and silk fibres over synthetics
- Even, unfaded colour with no sun bleaching
- Intact fringes and selvedge edges
What lowers it
- Machine-made backing, which caps the value
- Moth damage in wool, often hidden under furniture
- Sun fading on one side
- Pet staining and odour
How to work out what yours is worth
- Turn it over — hand-knotted rugs show the pattern clearly on the back
- Part the pile in several places looking for moth larvae damage
- Lay it flat in daylight and check for fading
Once you have those three answers you can place your own rug on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a rug is hand-knotted?
Turn it over. On a hand-knotted rug the pattern is clearly visible on the back with individual knots; machine-made rugs have a uniform backing.
Does moth damage ruin a wool rug?
It reduces value and spreads if untreated. Check under where furniture stood, since that is where it usually starts.
Are synthetic rugs worth selling?
They sell for small sums. Listing costs nothing, so it is still better than sending a usable rug to landfill.
More value guides: home & garden guides · all value guides · browse live home & garden listings.