How to Measure Stairs for Carpet
Measuring stairs for carpet is different from measuring a flat room. Each step has a tread (the flat part you step on) and a riser (the vertical part). The carpet must wrap around the nosing (the front edge of the step) and be tucked in at the back.
Step-by-Step Measurement Guide
- Count the steps. A standard UK staircase has 13 steps (risers). Some have 12 or 14. Count every step from bottom to top, including the top landing nosing if you want it carpeted.
- Measure one tread depth. Measure from the back of the step (where it meets the riser above) to the front edge (nosing). Standard UK tread depth: 22–27cm.
- Measure one riser height. Measure from the top of the tread to the top of the tread above. Standard UK riser height: 17–22cm.
- Add tuck allowance. Add 5cm (50mm) per step for the carpet to tuck neatly under the nosing.
- Calculate total length. (Tread depth + Riser height + 5cm tuck) × Number of steps.
- Measure the width. Measure the staircase width at the widest point. Standard UK stairs: 80–90cm.
Worked Example: Standard UK Staircase
- Steps: 13
- Tread depth: 25cm
- Riser height: 19cm
- Tuck allowance: 5cm per step
- Total length: (25 + 19 + 5) × 13 = 637cm = 6.37 metres
- Round up to: 6.5 metres
- Stair width: 85cm
For a full-width carpet, you need 6.5 metres cut from an 85cm-wide section of carpet roll. Since UK carpet rolls are 4m or 5m wide, the fitter will cut a strip to the correct width.
Types of Staircase and How to Measure Them
Straight Staircase
The simplest type. All steps are the same size. Measure one step and multiply by the total number. This is the most affordable to carpet.
L-Shaped (Quarter Turn) Staircase
A straight flight with a 90-degree turn at a landing. Measure the straight sections as above, then add the landing area separately. The carpet must be cut to fit the turn, which increases wastage by approximately 15%.
U-Shaped (Half Turn) Staircase
Two parallel flights connected by a half landing. Measure each flight separately, add the half landing, and allow 15–20% extra for wastage on the turns.
Winding (Kite Winder) Staircase
Steps that fan out around a corner, common in UK terraced houses. Each winder step is a different shape. Measure the longest tread and the widest point for each winder. Fitting costs are 20–30% higher due to the complex cutting required. Professional fitting is essential.
Spiral Staircase
Rarely carpeted in the UK but possible. Each step is wedge-shaped. Measure the widest and narrowest tread dimensions. A carpet runner is more practical than full-width carpet on spiral stairs. Professional fitting essential — expect to pay a premium of 50%+ for the complexity.
Full-Width Carpet vs Stair Runner
| Feature | Full-Width Carpet | Stair Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Entire step, wall to wall | Central strip (60–70cm wide) |
| Warmth | Warmer underfoot | Exposed wood can be cold |
| Sound | Quieter | Exposed wood can be noisy |
| Appearance | Cosy, traditional | Stylish, shows off staircase |
| Stair condition | Hides imperfections | Stairs must look good |
| Fixing method | Gripper rods | Stair rods or gripper |
| Maintenance | Full carpet to vacuum | Carpet + exposed wood to maintain |
| Cost (13 steps) | £100–£600 | £200–£700 (inc. rods) |
| Best for | Family homes, rentals | Period homes, open staircases |
Stair Rods
Stair rods are decorative metal rods that hold a carpet runner in place at the back of each step. They come in various finishes:
- Polished brass: £8–£15 per rod. Traditional, suits period homes.
- Brushed chrome/nickel: £8–£15 per rod. Contemporary, suits modern interiors.
- Antique brass: £10–£18 per rod. Aged look, suits Victorian/Edwardian homes.
- Black iron: £6–£12 per rod. Industrial, suits farmhouse/contemporary styles.
A standard 13-step staircase needs 13 rods plus brackets and finials. Total stair rod cost: £80–£240 depending on finish and brand.
Best Carpet Types for Stairs
Stairs receive the heaviest foot traffic in any home. Every person in the household uses them multiple times a day, and the carpet wears primarily on the nosing (front edge) of each step. Choose the most durable carpet you can afford.
Recommended for Stairs
- Loop pile (Berber): The most hard-wearing option. Resists crushing and flattening. Excellent on stairs. £8–25/m².
- Twist pile: The most popular choice for UK stairs. Good balance of durability and comfort. £12–35/m².
- 80/20 wool blend: Premium durability and natural stain resistance. The best long-term choice. £25–50/m².
- Nylon twist: Extremely resilient synthetic option. Bounces back well after compression. £14–28/m².
Not Recommended for Stairs
- Saxony pile: Long fibres flatten quickly on step nosings. Shows wear within months.
- Velvet pile: Too delicate for stair use. Shows every footprint.
- Budget polypropylene: Flattens quickly on stairs. Acceptable only in rental properties or as a temporary solution.
- Deep shag: Safety hazard on stairs. Can cause tripping.
Stair Carpet Costs
Full-Width Stair Carpet (13 Steps + Landing)
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet (6.5m from roll) | £33–£65 | £65–£163 | £163–£325 |
| Landing carpet (2.5 m²) | £13–£25 | £25–£63 | £63–£125 |
| Underlay (stairs + landing) | £15–£25 | £25–£40 | £40–£60 |
| Gripper rods | £20–£30 | £20–£30 | £20–£30 |
| Fitting | £65–£100 | £65–£100 | £80–£130 |
| Total | £146–£245 | £200–£396 | £366–£670 |
Stair Runner (13 Steps + Landing)
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runner carpet (6.5m × 67cm) | £45–£75 | £90–£175 | £175–£400 |
| Stair rods (13) | £78–£130 | £104–£195 | £130–£240 |
| Underlay | £10–£18 | £18–£30 | £30–£45 |
| Fitting | £80–£120 | £80–£120 | £100–£150 |
| Total | £213–£343 | £292–£520 | £435–£835 |
Underlay for Stairs
Stair underlay serves a slightly different purpose from room underlay. On stairs, it needs to be firm and thin rather than soft and thick. Thick, squishy underlay creates an unstable feel on step nosings and can be a safety issue.
Best Underlay Types for Stairs
- Sponge rubber (8–10mm): The best choice for stairs. Firm, dense, and long-lasting. £5–8/m².
- Crumb rubber (8mm): Very firm and durable. Good for heavy traffic. £4–7/m².
- Felt (8mm): Traditional option. Adequate but less resilient than rubber. £2–5/m².
Avoid on Stairs
- Thick PU foam (11–12mm): Too soft for step nosings. Compresses unevenly and feels unstable.
- Cloud 9 and similar luxury underlay: Designed for flat rooms, not stairs. Too thick and bouncy.
Fitting and Maintenance
Professional Fitting
Stair carpet fitting is significantly more complex than flat-room fitting. Each step must be individually wrapped, stretched, and secured. Professional fitting costs £5–£12 per step, compared to £4–£8/m² for flat rooms. A standard 13-step staircase takes an experienced fitter 2–4 hours.
Winding staircases, half landings, and unusual step shapes increase the fitting time and cost. Always get a quote that specifies the staircase type to avoid surprises.
DIY Fitting
Fitting stair carpet yourself is possible but challenging. You need a knee kicker, bolster chisel, carpet knife, gripper rods, and patience. The main difficulty is getting a tight, wrinkle-free fit on each nosing. Poorly fitted stair carpet is a genuine safety hazard, so if in doubt, pay for professional fitting.
Maintenance Tips
- Vacuum stairs at least twice a week — they accumulate dust and debris faster than flat floors
- Use a handheld or cordless vacuum with a brush head for step-by-step cleaning
- Treat stains immediately — stair carpet cannot be easily lifted for deep cleaning
- Rotate carpet direction every 2–3 years if fitted with extra length tucked at top and bottom (ask your fitter about this)
- Replace stair carpet every 8–12 years even if the rest of the house carpet is still good — stairs wear faster
Related Calculators & Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Measure one tread depth + one riser height + 5cm tuck allowance, then multiply by the number of steps. A standard UK staircase (13 steps): (25 + 19 + 5) × 13 = 6.37m, round up to 6.5m. Width is typically 85cm.
A 13-step staircase costs £146–245 budget, £200–396 mid-range, or £366–670 premium, including carpet, underlay, gripper rods, and fitting. A runner with rods costs £213–835.
Loop pile (Berber) and twist pile are the most durable choices. 80/20 wool blend is the premium option. Avoid saxony and velvet pile on stairs as they flatten quickly.
Full-width is warmer, quieter, and hides stair imperfections. A runner is more stylish and shows off the staircase wood. Choose based on the condition of your stairs and your desired look.
Professional stair carpet fitting costs £5–12 per step (£65–156 for 13 steps). Winding staircases cost 20–30% more due to complex cutting.
Yes. Use firm, thin underlay (8–10mm sponge rubber or crumb rubber). Avoid thick PU foam underlay on stairs as it creates an unstable feel on step nosings.