How to Template & Measure Your U-Shaped Stair Runner Landing

Hey, I'm Keith Shannon with Direct Carpet. Today, I'm going to show you how to stop guessing and start measuring up your u-shaped stair runner landing—some people call this a 180-degree turning landing or a switchback.

I've been doing this a long time, and the first thing you need to know is: no house is square. I've never seen a perfect corner in 20-plus years of installing. That's why you can't just use a ruler; you've got to use the tape method.

The "Installer Secret": The Blue Tape Method

We use blue painters tape because it's easy to get off the floor and it doesn't hurt the finish. By taping it out, you actually get a chance to see what the runner will look like before we ever cut a piece of carpet.

1. Find Your Center: Start by finding the center for the stairs going down. Get your pencil out and make a little mark.
2. Split the Difference: If you're going with a 26-inch runner like we did in the video, you want that same 26 inches coming over the top and into the landing.
3. The 4-Inch Reveal: We usually leave about 4 inches of wood showing on the sides. Tape that off all the way around the perimeter so you can see the path clearly.
4. The Visual Check: Don't just trust the numbers. Stand back. Look at it from the top stairs and the bottom stairs. If it looks crooked to your eye, adjust the tape until it looks right. The eye doesn't lie.

Transpose Your Measurements

Once you've got it taped out and it looks good visually, take those measurements and put them on the schematic paper we send you.

In the video, our math said 65 3/16", but when we measured the actual back wall, it was exactly 65". We dropped that 3/16" because you have to fit the house you're in, not the house on the blueprint.

What You'll Need:

• Stair Runner Installation Tool Kit
• Stair Runner Calculator (To double-check your total footage)
• Blue Painters Tape & Pencil

Runners for Rescues 🐾

Every time you buy a stair runner from us, you're helping a dog in need. A portion of every sale goes to Runners for Rescues to support street dog rescue in Puerto Rico. You get a professional-grade staircase, and a rescue dog gets the medical care and food they need.

Ready to Order?

If you're ready to get that 180-degree turn looking sharp, head over to our Main Stair Runner Collection. Once you checkout, we'll send you the form to fill out with your taped-off measurements.

Still stuck? Send a photo of your taped-out landing to [support@directcarpet.com](mailto:support@directcarpet.com) or hit us up in the chat. I'm Keith Shannon—thanks for watching, and I'll see you on the next one.