Measure once, fit perfectly.
Landing a great stair carpet starts with one thing: proper measurements. Whether you’re laying a runner or going fully fitted, Direct Carpet Centre has seen how much time, money, and installation headaches you can avoid by knowing how to measure your stairs properly.
Let’s break it down.
Why Accurate Stair Measurements Matter
Ever ordered too little flooring and had to patch it together? Not ideal.
When it comes to stair carpets, getting it wrong could mean mismatched patterns, exposed edges, or a second order.
Accurate measurements help with:
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Reducing waste
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Saving money
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Ensuring a perfect fit, especially for tricky stair shapes
Take the time to do it right and you’ll make the rest of the process much easier.
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Tools You’ll Need
Don’t overthink it. A few basics will do:
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Tape measure (a flexible, retractable one is best)
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Pen/pencil and notepad
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Calculator (or phone)
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Optional: sketch pad if you want to draw it out
Once you’ve got these, you’ll be ready to measure!
Keep in mind that you’ll need to clean and maintain your carpet after it’s installed, so investing in the tools for that ahead of time will be helpful.
Understanding Stair Types and Carpet Styles
Before you grab the tape measure, know what kind of staircase you’re working with and how the carpet will be laid:
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Straight staircases: Simple and consistent. Just repeat the same measurements.
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Winder or curved staircases: These need individual measurements for each step. Precision counts.
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Stair runners vs fully fitted: Runners sit in the middle of the stairs, leaving the edges exposed. Fully fitted carpets cover the entire stair.
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Bullnose steps: That rounded bottom step? It needs extra allowance, so don’t forget to measure around the curve.
Step-by-Step: How to Measure Stairs for Carpet
1. Count the Steps
Sounds obvious, but include everything, standard steps, winders, landings, half-steps.
2. Measure Tread + Riser
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Tread = how deep the step is (front to back)
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Riser = height of the step (top to bottom)
Add those together. That’s the length of carpet needed per step.
Example:
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Tread = 25cm
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Riser = 20cm
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Total per step = 45cm
3. Factor in the Nosing
If the step has an overhang (called a nosing), measure around it. You may need to add 2–3cm per step.
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4. Measure the Width
Measure the full width if it’s a fitted carpet, or the width you want for a runner.
5. Include Landings
For square landings, measure the length and width. For L-shapes, draw out the shape on a piece of paper and simply measure the perimeter.
6. Do the Maths
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Multiply your tread+riser measurement by the number of steps.
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Add the measurements for landings and bullnose.
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Then tack on an extra 5–10% just in case.
Quick Example Calculation (With Diagram Option)
Let’s say you have:
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Main Landing: 1.90m x 1.50m o/n
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Half Landing: 90cm x 1.50m o/n
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13x steps 78cm wide x 45cm tread & riser
You would be able to do all this on a 4m width x 2.95m length carpet with minimal waste. Here’s a diagram below.
Add an extra 10cm on both the width and length for extra safety.
Other Considerations Before You Order
Carpet Pile Direction
For a seamless look, the pile (direction the carpet fibres sit) should flow the same way on every step.
Pattern Matching
Got stripes or a repeating pattern? You’ll need a bit more to align everything properly.
Underlay & Grippers
Underlay is essential for comfort and longevity. Gripper rods keep things in place. Both of these carpet accessories take up space, your installer may need to know this.
Tips for Installation
When it comes time for installation, keep the following tips in mind:
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Order slightly more than you need
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Double-check each measurement
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Sketch your staircase if it helps
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Keep a checklist of each step's size (especially on winder stairs)
Ready to Order Your Stair Carpet?
Now that you know how to measure stairs for carpet, you can shop with confidence. Explore our stair carpet collection or get in touch with our expert team for support.
If you have any queries about your carpet, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
FAQs: How to Measure a Stair Carpet
What’s the easiest way to measure stairs for carpet?
Start with tread + riser, multiply by steps, and don’t forget landings.
How much extra carpet should I order?
Aim for 5–10% extra to allow for cuts, trimming, and mistakes.
Do all my steps need to be the same size?
Not necessarily, but if they vary, measure each one individually and take note of the biggest step.
Can I use these steps to measure for a runner?
Yes, just measure the width you want the runner to be instead of the full stair width.
Inches or centimetres?
Use whatever is easier, but stay consistent.