Regional

Stair runner length calculator (USA)

American residential stairs are governed by the IRC, which allows a maximum 7¾ in riser and requires a minimum 10 in tread. That combination is why so many US flights work out at 17.5 to 18 in of runner per step.

The US preset loads those dimensions along with a 27 in runner, a 36 in stair width and pricing per linear foot in dollars.

Your staircase

Start from typical stair sizes where you live

IRC-style stairs: 10 in minimum tread, 7¾ in maximum riser. Runners are usually 27 in or 32 in wide and sold by the linear foot.

Number of stairs

Count every step you will cover.

Tread depth (in)

Front edge to back of the step. Fractions like 10 1/2 work.

Riser height (in)

The vertical face between two treads.

Waste allowance

Custom%

10% is a common starting point; pattern matching and winders need more.

Add a nosing / overhang allowance per step

Needed when the runner wraps around a projecting nose (Hollywood installs and thick pads). Waterfall installs usually don't need it.

Your stair runner length

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

Recommended purchase length

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.

Your measurements, drawn to scale

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.

Typical US staircase

A first-to-second-floor flight in a US home is usually 13 to 16 risers. At 17.5 in per step that is 19 to 23 ft of runner, plus waste, plus any landing.

Standard runner widths

27 in and 32 in dominate the US market, with 30 in also common. On a 36 in stair a 27 in runner leaves 4.5 in of exposed wood each side — the reveal most designers consider ideal.

How US suppliers price it

Runner is priced per linear foot or per linear yard. Ask whether binding, serging and pad are included, and whether the price assumes a single continuous cut — a seam usually costs extra.

Questions people ask

How many feet of stair runner for an average American staircase?: Around 19 to 23 feet before waste for a 13 to 16 step flight with 10 in treads and 7.5 in risers. Add 10% for trimming and pattern repeat.
What is the most common stair runner width in the US?: 27 inches, followed by 32 inches. Both leave a balanced reveal on the 36 in stairs found in most US homes.

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