When the temporal evolution of an electron, photon, or atom is graphed on a quantum carpet, there is initially a distinct pattern. This distinct pattern shows coherence. That is to say, the wave can be split in two pieces and recombined to form a new wave. However, this pattern fades with time, and eventually, devolves into nothing. When the pattern fades, coherence is lost, and it is impossible to split the wave in two and recombine it. This loss of coherence is called decoherence. A set of complex mathematical equations model decoherence. However, a simple loss of pattern shows decoherence in quantum carpets. Thus, quantum carpets are a tool to visualize and simplify decoherence.