How to Template Pie Shaped Stairs: The Exact Way for a Perfect Runner

Hey, I’m Keith with directcarpet.com. Today, I’m going to show you exactly how to template your pie-shaped or wedge-shaped stairs.

You can’t just go into a store and buy a piece of carpet for these; every stairway is a different measurement.

To get a perfect fit, you need a template to copy your staircase exactly. Stick around, and I'll show you how we do it.

What You’re Going to Need

• Craft Paper / Painter’s Paper: Grab a roll at any big box hardware or painting store.
• Marker or Pencil: To mark your creases and lines.
• Straight Edge & Tape Measure: To keep your margins consistent.
• Tape: To hold the paper in place while you work.
• Scissors or a Utility Knife: (Use scissors if you have a nice finished staircase; I’m using a knife here for video purposes!)

Step 1: Forming the Paper to the Stair

Start from the bottom and work your way up. Take a piece of your craft paper and line up the straight edge right along the bottom of the riser. It’s important to get this lined up properly from the start.

Tuck the paper into the crotch of the stair and use a couple of pieces of tape to hold it in position so it’s nice and tight.

Since tape doesn't always stick great to carpet, you might have to use your hand to keep it firm while you form it.

Step 2: Creasing the Nose

This is how you get an accurate picture of what your carpet needs to look like. Wrap the paper over the edge of the stair nose. Use your fingers to form the paper tightly around that curve.

I like to take a pencil and run it right under the nose to create a dark line. This tells us exactly how deep the riser is.

Once you’ve got a good crease and your line is marked, cut off the extra paper. Mark this piece as "Number 1"—always go from the bottom up.

Step 3: Measuring Your 30-Inch Runner Path

Now that the paper is formed, we need to draw our lines. Let's say your stairs are 42 inches wide and you want a 30-inch runner.

• 42" minus 30" equals 12". Divide that by two, and you’ve got 6 inches on each side.

Measure 6 inches in from the wall and make a mark. Do that on the top and bottom of your template, then take your straight edge and connect them.

Now you’ve got a straight 30-inch path right through the middle of that wedge.

Step 4: Connecting the Flight

When you move to Template #2, you want the lines to blend. Line up the bottom of your second template with the top of the first one.

As the stair gets wider, the line might want to "jump." Just curve your pencil line slightly to blend them together. You want that runner to look like one continuous piece of fabric moving up the turn.

Step 5: Cut and Ship for Perfection

Once you’ve marked all your pieces—centered and matched to your 30-inch width—scissor them out individually.

If you’ve ordered a stair runner from us and you need these special templated stairs, this is the part where you ship those paper patterns to our shop.

We lay your templates right on top of the carpet, trace them, cut them, and match them to your runner. It’s the easiest way to get perfection on a DIY project.

Ready to Start Your Project?

If you’re ready to get to work, use the same links I use to manage my installs:

• Shop the Stair Runner Collection – Browse the 30-inch widths we used in this guide.
• Stair Runner Calculator – Get your exact measurements before you buy.
• Runners for Rescues – Remember, every purchase helps support street dogs in Puerto Rico. We’re proud to help with animal rescue with every runner we ship.

Any questions? Feel free to email me at support@directcarpet.com. I’d be happy to help you with anything you need. And remember—directcarpet.com for all your stair runner needs.

I’m Keith Shannon. Take care of yourself!