How to Choose a Stair Runner: Buying Guide From a 25+ Year Installer

By Keith Shannon, stair runner installer for 25+ years and owner of DirectCarpet.com

The short answer: pick a durable nylon or solution-dyed polyester runner, a width that leaves 3 to 4 inches of wood showing on each side, a length of 19 inches per stair, and a pattern whose lines run down the stairs, like herringbone. Add underpad, order samples first, and you're set.

I've installed stair runners for a living for over 25 years. Here's exactly what I tell my own customers before they buy.

1. What length do I need?

Allow 19 inches per stair, and count the top riser as half a stair. So 12 stairs is really 12.5 stairs.

Stairs	Runner length
12.5	20 ft
13.5	22 ft
14.5	24 ft
15.5	26 ft
17.5	28 ft
18.5	30 ft (custom)

Or skip the math: our Stair Runner Calculator gives you the length in seconds.

2. What width should I get?

It comes down to how much wood you want to see. On a 36-inch-wide staircase, a 30-inch runner leaves 3 inches of wood on each side and a 28-inch runner leaves 4 inches. Love your wood? Go narrower. Older or painted stairs? Go wider and cover more.

3. Which material is best?

• Nylon (like our Anderson Tuftex runners): the toughest fiber for stairs. Springs back under heavy traffic, great with kids and dogs.
• Solution-dyed polyester (like our Amalfi herringbones): the look of wool without the wool price, very stain-resistant and easy to clean.
• Wool: beautiful, but costly and harder to clean on stairs. Most families are happier with nylon or polyester.

4. Which pattern looks best on stairs?

Here's what most stores won't tell you, because they've never installed one: no staircase is perfectly straight. Lines that run across the step show every bit of crookedness. Patterns that run down the stairs, like herringbone, run parallel with the staircase, make it look longer, and hide the small imperfections. That's why herringbone is our most popular pattern.

5. Do I have pets or kids?

Choose a low, tight pile in nylon or solution-dyed polyester, and a mid-tone colour that hides dirt and hair. See our best stair runners for pets.

6. What about landings and turns?

We make landings to match every runner: left turn, right turn and U-shaped, cut as one solid L-shaped piece, so there's no mitred seam to fray. Winding or pie-shaped stairs? We make pie-shaped packages from your templates. Shop stair runner landings.

7. Do I need underpad?

You don't have to have it, but I always recommend it. It feels better underfoot, stops the runner shifting on hardwood, and makes the carpet last longer. You can add our pro underpad at checkout when you buy a runner.

8. Should I order samples first?

Yes. Colours look different on every screen and in every light. You can get up to 5 samples for $35, shipped free. See them on your own stairs before you decide.

9. How much does a stair runner cost?

From us, a runner for 12.5 stairs ships for about $509 USD, or about $599 with the pad. It's a little more for longer staircases or if you add a landing. A professional install can cost up to $2,000, which is why so many people do it themselves.

10. Can I install it myself?

Absolutely. If you're handy, it's an afternoon job. Watch my step-by-step install guide and my free install videos. They're real stairs and real installs.

11. How fast will it arrive?

Most orders ship within 1 business day, often the same day, and arrive in 3 to 5 business days anywhere in the United States or Canada. Shipping is free.

Quick checklist before you order

• Count your stairs, add 0.5, and use the 19-inch rule (or the calculator).
• Pick your width: 3 to 4 inches of wood showing on each side.
• Nylon or solution-dyed polyester for busy homes.
• Lines that run down the stairs (herringbone) hide imperfections.
• Landing? Note left turn, right turn or U-shape.
• Order samples, then add underpad with your runner.

Shop custom-cut stair runners, with free shipping →

Questions? Chat with me right on the website. I answer stair runner questions every day.