How to Calculate Carpet on Stairs

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Measure 1 stair tread

   Round your measurement to the nearest foot (meter), and record the width measurement.
   
   If you plan to install a carpet runner only, measure the width of the area that you plan to cover.
2. 2

   Step 2: which is the horizontal part of the stair on which you step

   For this measurement, you are measuring in the opposite direction from your first measurement, across the short distance of the tread.
   
   This will be the measurement used for the height of each stair.
   
   If the tread overhangs the riser, measure back to the riser itself under the overhang and then down to the bottom. ,,,,, This is the total area, or square footage, for the stairs you plan to carpet. , Alternately, enter the measurements into an online carpet calculator. (You will not need to divide for metric measures.)
3. 3

   Step 3: from one side to the other side

4. 4

   Step 4: from the wall to the rails.

5. 5

   Step 5: Measure across the tread

6. 6

   Step 6: from where the riser (the vertical part) meets it and down the height of the riser.

7. 7

   Step 7: Round the height measurement to the nearest foot (meter)

8. 8

   Step 8: and record it.

9. 9

   Step 9: Multiply the measurements to determine the square footage

10. 10

    Step 10: or area

11. 11

    Step 11: of one step.

12. 12

    Step 12: Add 3 inches (7.62 cm) if you plan to use carpet padding on the stairs.

13. 13

    Step 13: Count the stairs and record that number.

14. 14

    Step 14: Multiply the area of one stair step by the number of steps.

15. 15

    Step 15: Divide the total area by 9 to determine the number of square yards needed.

Detailed Guide

About the Author