How to Measure Stairs for Carpet: A Complete Guide
Measuring up your stairs and landings can be tricky, and inaccurate measurements can leave you short on the carpet you need to renovate your home. That’s why we’ve created this simple, step-by-step guide to help you get all the information you need and avoid common, costly mistakes.
Once you have your measurements, you can browse our wide selection of carpets and stair runners online, or visit our showroom to view our full range. We have a team of expert carpet fitters who can take your home’s measurements and install your dream carpet.
The Essential Tools for Estimating Carpet for Stairs
Before you get started, you’ll need to gather some tools for the job:
- A tape measure
- A calculator
- Pencil and paper
A sketch of the stairs and landing made by yourself can help our carpet fitters determine how much carpet is needed for the job.
Step-by-Step How to Measure Stairs for Carpet
Follow these steps carefully to determine the Total Carpet Length and Carpet Width required for your staircase.
Step One: Measure One Step (Riser & Tread)
Start by measuring one typical step to find the length of carpet needed to cover it.
- Measure the riser (the vertical part of the stair).
- Measure the tread (the horizontal part where you step).
- Add 5 cm (approx. 2 inches) to each measurement (riser and tread) to account for fitting, trimming, and wrapping around the nose of the step.
On average, you usually need around 45cm (18 inches) per straight step.
Step Two: Calculate Total Carpet Length
This calculation determines the total length of the carpet strip you will need for your stairs.
- Add the adjusted riser and tread measurements together. This is the Length Per Step.
- Multiply the Length Per Step by the total number of steps on your staircase. This gives you the Total Carpet Length (in metres/cm).
Step Three: Determine Carpet Width
This determines the width of the carpet roll you need to purchase.
- Measure the width of the step from left to right.
Step Four: Measure Mid and Upper Landings
If your stairs have landings, they must be measured separately and added to the total area.
- Measure the length and width of each landing (mid and upper).
- Add 10 cm to both the length and the width for trimming and fitting.
- Create a sketch of the shape of the landing, including where the stairs meet the landing.
Step Five: Calculate Total Carpet Needed
To get the final estimated total area you need to buy:
- Multiply your Total Carpet Length (from Step 2) by your Carpet Width (from Step 3) to get the stairs area.
Note on Standard Roll Widths: Carpet typically comes in standard roll widths (4 m or 5 m). Your calculated Carpet Width will help you decide which roll width to purchase, as you must buy the full roll width.
Furthermore, stairs can be fitted in pieces, so you don’t always need one single run of carpet.
Once you have your carpet sizes and shapes, bring them into Woolton Carpets and we can find the perfect carpet for your home.
How do I Measure a Winding Staircase for a Carpet?
A winding staircase is made of winders – angled steps that can be hard to measure accurately. Their width and height need to be measured individually at their widest point, with 5cm being added onto the figure to account for fitting.
As winding staircases often have irregular steps, this process needs to be repeated for each step to ensure you have an accurate estimate.
This is often a time-consuming and difficult task, which is why we recommend consulting experienced carpet fitters to take care of the measurements.
Do I need a Carpet Fitter to Install Carpet on the Stairs?
If you plan on installing carpet on your stairs yourself, you must take into account:
- Carpet pile direction: The carpet pile must be aligned on the stairs and across your landing in the same direction — down the stairs. This increases durability and improves the appearance of your stairs.
- Carpet cutting: The carpet will arrive on a roll, and you must cut it down to size for each step and landing. Any mistakes may result in carpet being wasted, or you running out before you finish the task.
Extra Tools Needed for Installation
While not essential, these add-ons improve the comfort and longevity of your carpet:
- Carpet underlay: An underlay creates a softer feel underfoot and acts as a shock absorber, extending the carpet’s life span. It also increases insulation, reducing energy bills.
- Gripper rods: They secure the underlay and the carpet. While you can technically install carpet without them, it’s not recommended, as the carpet will wrinkle and be less durable. A gripper should be fitted on each riser and tread.
- Door bars: They secure carpet in place in doorways. These typically have to be cut to size.
Common Mistakes to Avoid when Estimating Carpet for Stairs
- Neglecting to account for extra fabric required for fitting and trimming.
- Carpet pile moving in different directions on staircases – it must run down the stairs.
- Forgetting to measure mid and upper landings.
- Inaccurate measurements, particularly on winding staircases, leave you short on the carpet needed.
Woolton Carpets can Help you With Carpet Measurements and Fittings
It’s easy to make a mistake whilst measuring up your staircase, which is why we recommend leaving it to us. Our experienced carpet fitters can measure your stairs and landings quickly.
Once you have your measurements, you can get a price estimate. Simply choose from our range of carpets online or visit our showroom to make your choice. Speak to one of our advisors, and we can help you with your home renovation.
"*" indicates required fields