A Complete Step-by-Step Guide on How to Measure Stairs and Landing for Carpet

This is a more involved operation than measuring a standard room, but most of the same concepts apply. There are straight stairs and curved winders, each section requiring their attention to detail. To help you order just the right amount of carpet and ensure you get a great fit, we put together this guide on measuring stairs and landings for carpets. Whether you’re doing it yourself DIY or getting a pro to do it for you, this guide takes you through the entire process. We’ve also added advice on cost, installation time, and care for a complete overview.

Understanding the Importance of Accurate Measurements 

It is essential to take accurate measurements to:

• Order the right amount of carpet
• Make sure the installation goes smoothly.
• Save material waste and money as well.
• When deciding on a pile direction, consider both durability and appearance.

So, with these in mind, let’s get down to details!

Things You’ll Need to Measure Your Stairs

Before you begin, collect the following tools to ease the job:

• Tape measure (flexible and sturdy ones are best)
• A pen or pencil (popped behind your ear to look like a super true professional!).
• A notebook or graph paper is used to draw floor plans.
• Ruler for precise lines.
• A helpful assistant can be invaluable, especially when measuring curved stairs or large areas. If you can find one, their assistance can make the process smoother and more accurate.
• A phone or camera: Optional but beneficial for taking reference photos.

What To Remember When Measuring Stairs For Carpet

On your plan, write down only the exact sizes. The carpet seller will then add any wiggle room or extra inches.

• Find the distance between the top and bottom of the stairs. This is where the pile will go.
• Each winder (where the stairs turn) must be measured separately because they are different.
• Mark the width and depth of the entrances on your plan on the landing and hallway.
• Don’t forget about the alcoves and dropbacks in the hallway and staircase.
• Some walls may not be straight, but measurements will be taken from wall to wall across the staircase and hallway.
• Take shots of your stairs, landing, and hallway to use as guides.
• Use a tool to determine how much carpet you’ll need and how much it will cost.
• Get free carpet samples to ensure you pick the right style and feel for your house. 

How to Measure Stairs for Carpet: Step by Step

Step 1: Begin with the Landing

• Make a floor plan of your landing and hallway. Use an arrow to show where the stairs lead from the landing to the hallway.
• Tip: Make sure the pile direction is shown in your plan (and then it’s shown again!) so that the carpet pile runs in the right direction. The “pile direction” is how the carpet fibres point. This is very important if you want your home to look and feel the same. Think of the landing as a regular room and measure it, too, making sure to account for any doors, alcoves, or dropbacks. 

Use our guide to figure out How to Measure a Room if you don’t know how.

• Terms that can help: When you climb stairs, you step on the tread. The angled part is known as the “nose,” and the straight piece is known as the “riser.”

• The length of your fall is based on the first step. Once more, start at the farthest opening or wall and measure down to the tread from the top of the first step. This keeps the carpet smooth from the step to the stairs. 

Step 2: Measure the Stairs

• Count both the straight stairs and the winders (bent stairs).
• Take a separate measurement of each straight stair.
• Measure from where the back of the top riser hits the tread, over the front, down, and to the back of the next tread.
• Find the width of each tread (8×10 part of the step).
• Because winders come in different sizes, you need to measure each step separately when measuring for them. Keep the flow direction at a right angle over the nose pile.
• Write down the length and width of the step from the narrowest edge to the most significant point. 

HOW MEASURE STAIRS WITH A TURN FOR CARPET

Step 3: If needed, measure half-landings

• Think of the half landing at the bottom of your stairs as a small room and measure it that way.

Step 4: Curved Stairs

Winders/curved stairs should be measured individually. The direction of the pile must run over the nose of the stair at a right angle, so measure from the back of the stair tread, over the nose and then down the riser of the stair to the next tread and record the size (see grey line). The width is measured here from the inner corner on the narrow edge to the point on the broadest edge furthest from the top left (orange line). Do this for all your winding stairs and write them down.

Step 5: Measure the Hallway

• Create a floor plan for the hallway, including all the doors, alcoves, and dead ends.
• To account for differences, measure the length and width more than once.
• Use directing arrows. Indicate where the steps enter the hallway to ensure the proper flow of piles. 

How Much Carpet for the Stairs and Landing?

• When calculating the overall amount of carpet colour, you’ll need to order and include the regions of the stairs, landing, and hallways. Take this case in point:
• For example, a thirteen-step staircase with a 1.2 x 1.2-meter landing will require approximately 10 square meters of carpet.
• Use our carpet calculator to double-check your measurements to ensure you get the correct amount. 

What is the Average Cost to Install Carpet on Stairs and Landing?

The price to carpet the landing and stairs is determined by:

• The extent of the region.
• Carpet type (including material, pile height, and quality).
• Delivery, underlay, and fitting are additional expenses.

A 10-square-meter area covered with carpet priced in the middle is illustrated here. IS 6 pounds per square meter:

Carpeting costs £60.

Total cost: £30

Fitting by a professional: £60

A sum of £150

If you need help estimating the cost, follow our Carpet Fitting Cost guide.

Should You Carpet Your Landing Right Away?

Installation time may vary according to degree of expertise.

Professional Fitters: Steps and landing: around thirty minutes.

DIY (do-it-yourself) Installation: 1.5 to 2 hours (not counting the learning curve and any errors).

Although it may take longer, adding underlay or padding is necessary for comfort and will ensure that it lasts many years.

How Often Should You Replace Your Carpet?

Staircases are subject to heavy foot traffic and will eventually become worn out. Depending on quality and care and by taking preventive measures, the average carpet can last five to fifteen years before needing replacement.

Ways to Make Your Carpet Last Longer:

• Your stair carpet will last longer if you use high-quality cushioning.
• Keep this vacuumed and clean up spills immediately.
• Keep your shoes off the carpet.
• You may find more detailed instructions in our comprehensive carpet-care guide.

Assessing Your Needs?

Is it too much to handle? Consult with one of our flooring experts for free stair carpet measurements; no commitments are required. We will measure your landing and stairs to ensure everything goes smoothly and accurately. Then, you can choose the carpet that best suits your needs based on our various styles and colours.

Do you need carpet fitters in Bradford? Contact us.

Last Remarks 

Don’t be scared; measuring carpet for landings and stairs isn’t tricky. With our advice and this simple technique, you should have no trouble taking precise measurements for your carpet stairs and making the perfect choice. Decide whether you want to measure the stairs yourself or hire a professional firm in the UK to do it for you. Exact measurements can achieve carpeted stairs that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical. Have fun measuring!