The difference between a rug and a carpet is purely a matter of size. Within the customary terminology of the industry, any piece less than 40 square feet is called a rug while anything larger is considered a carpet. Today, however, the term rug is most commonly used to distinguish an area rug from wall-to-wall carpeting or broadloom. (Courtesy of Nourison University)
Simple enough, but what then is a "Flying Carpet?"
Source: http://www.rugsdirectblog.com/rugsdirect/2007/08/difference-betw.html
Re: Difference between RUG and CARPET?
Generally speaking a rug is smaller, and is not fixed or attached to the floor. A carpet, on the other hand, is always measured and cut to fit the exact proportions of the room or the space that is to be carpeted. It is fixed or attached to the floor.
A variant on rug is the throw rug - something small that can be rolled up, moved, slid around, etc. A carpet is fixed and permanent.
In spite of these general distinctions, the terms can sometimes be used interchangeably (at least in the US).Source: http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1485619
