Measuring stair runners in metric units

For a metric estimate, choose centimetres or millimetres for your measurements and metres for your supplier’s price. A regional preset can fill in example values, but replace them with your own stair dimensions.

You can enter and read measurements in metric. The calculator uses inches internally for consistent conversions; that does not change the units you use on screen.

Your staircase

Optional starting measurements

Example measurements only, not building-code advice. Replace them with measurements from your own stairs.

Check a few steps before using one set of measurements for the whole flight.

Number of stairs

Count the tread-and-riser pairs the runner will cover. Exclude landings.

Tread depth (in)

Measure the runner path across the flat tread. Fractions like 10 1/2 work.

Riser height (in)

The vertical face between two treads.

Waste allowance

Custom%

10% is the starting allowance here, not a guarantee. Ask your fitter about patterns and turns.

Add a nosing / overhang allowance per step

Enter the extra runner path around the edge, including any underside wrap. Do not add it twice if it is already included in your measurements.

Your runner estimate

20 ft 3.1 in

Total runner required for 13 steps, including a 10% waste allowance.

Total runner length in each unit
Inches	243.1 in
Feet	20.26 ft
Feet & inches	20 ft 3.1 in
Yards	6.75 yd
Meters	6.17 m
Centimeters	617.47 cm

Length to order

21 ft

7 yd · 6.4 m · 252 in

This calculator provides an estimate based on the measurements and installation assumptions you enter. Complex, curved or winder staircases may require professional measurement.

One step, shown in profile

Side elevation of a staircase. The runner travels across each tread and down each riser, so every step consumes tread depth plus riser height of material.

What changes in metric mode

The selected unit controls the measurement fields. Runner width, available piece length, currency and pricing unit should all be checked separately against the product you are buying.

Typical metric dimensions

UK and Ireland: 22.5 cm going, 19 cm rise, 68 to 70 cm runner. Australia and New Zealand: 25 cm going, 17.5 cm rise, 70 cm runner. Continental Europe: 28 cm going, 17 cm rise, 70 cm runner. Regional presets in the calculator fill these in for you.

Reveal in centimetres

Reveal is the bare stair showing each side of the runner: (stair width − runner width) ÷ 2. A 90 cm stair with a 70 cm runner leaves 10 cm each side, which sits right in the 7 to 13 cm range most designers aim for.

Questions people ask

What is a standard stair runner width in cm?: 70 cm is the most common, with 60 cm and 80 cm also widely stocked. Choose the width that leaves 7 to 13 cm of bare stair on each side.
Can I mix metric and imperial inputs?: Pick one unit system per calculation. You can switch at any time and the values convert, but entering some fields in inches and others in centimetres will give a wrong total.

Related guides

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