Measure the room for the carpet padding. Take the measurements twice to make sure they're correct. Write the measurements down.
Unroll the carpet padding on a hard surface or use a piece of cardboard underneath the padding as a firm surface for cutting. The cardboard also helps to prevent damage to the underlying surface.
Trim the carpet pad to the correct size with a utility knife. Take your time and make long straight cuts. Draw lines on the pad for the dimensions you want if you're unaccustomed to making freehand cuts. For example, if the pad is 10 feet wide and your room is 9 feet wide, use a tape measure and draw a line 1 foot from the edge of the pad, then cut along the line.
Position the pad in the room so it lays flat with its edges against the walls.
Lay the carpet over the pad carefully. Lift the edges to make sure there's no bunching and that the pad still reaches the walls all the way around. This prevents having to take up the carpet to straighten a wrinkle in the pad.