How to Install a Stair Runner in 10 Easy Steps

Stair carpet runners add comfort, muffle sound and protect treads from wear. Plus, they can increase safety by making stairs less slippery. Stair runner installation is a project even a new DIY-er can undertake. Since it requires a minimum of specialized tools and materials, the general cost of installation is low. Follow the steps on how to attach a stair runner using two different methods.

Choose a specific stair runner carpet, runner rug or carpet that’s cut and hemmed for use on stairs. Just be sure that whatever you choose is tightly woven and dense enough to withstand high traffic. See our stair runner buying guide for additional tips.

To determine the length, first measure the depth of one stair tread. Where the tread extends past the riser, wrap the measuring tape around the nose to the point where it reaches the top of the riser below. Then measure the height of one stair riser.

Multiply the depth you measured in the first step by the number of treads in your staircase. Then multiply the height of the riser by the number of risers in your staircase. Add these two totals.
The width you need will depend on the width of your staircase and how much of it you want to be covered. A 27-inch runner is the most common width for a typical 36-inch staircase.

Each tread needs a separate carpet pad. To keep the carpet pad hidden under the runner, mark the treads 1-inch narrower than the runner.
The pad length depends on your stair tread design and runner installation method. For stairs with nosing, cut the pad 3-inches longer, and for stairs without nosing, cut it 1/2-inch shorter than the depth of your tread to determine the pad length measurement.
Use your first pad as a template for cutting the rest.

Use double-sided carpet tape on the two outer edges and down the middle of the pad. Leaving a small space between the pad and back riser, align your pad with the inner layout marks you made and press onto the tread.
For stairs with noses, staple the center, back and add two additional, evenly spaced staples on each side. Then pull the pad around the nose — firmly but without too much force — and staple under the nose.

To ensure your runner is properly centered and aligned, first measure and mark the center of each stair tread with a pencil. Then do the same for the runner. Moving from stair to stair, align the two centers and then mark the stair tread on both sides of the runner. Double-check that there’s an equal distance of exposed tread on each side of the runner.

Place a strip of double-sided carpet tape along the top edge of your riser (under the nose) and staple it down. Start in the center and work out to the edges approximately every 3 inches.

Smooth down your rug to the crease where it meets the tread. Use your carpet tucking tool to pack the runner tightly into the crease. Staple across the bottom of your riser in the same manner as the top.

Now bring your runner snugly over the stair nose. Use your tucking tool or chisel to ensure a tight fit. Staple to the underside of your stair nosing and then continue as above — smoothing down your runner, creasing it at the base of your riser and stapling.

Repeat steps 6-8 until you reach the last stair riser.

When you reach the end, cut your runner so there’s 2 inches left beyond the crease at the base of the last riser. Fold it under to create a clean edge at the bottom of that last riser and staple across.