What stair width suits a 28in runner
A 28in runner is sized to leave a visible border of bare tread — the 'reveal' — on each side once it is centred and fixed. The comfortable range for that reveal is roughly 2-4.5in (5-11cm) each side; narrower than that and the runner looks jammed against the strings, wider than that and it starts to look lost in the middle of the tread. Working back from that reveal range, a 28in runner suits a staircase that measures 31-36in (79-91cm) stair width between the strings (or between the wall and the baluster on an open side).
| Stair width (strings to strings) | Reveal each side | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 27in / 69cm | -0.5in — under 2in | Too tight; runner reads edge-to-edge, no visible frame |
| 31in / 79cm | 1.5in | Minimum comfortable reveal |
| 34in / 85cm | 2.8in | Ideal — balanced reveal |
| 36in / 91cm | 4.0in | Maximum comfortable reveal |
| 40in / 102cm | 6.0in — over 4.5in | Runner looks narrow/lost; step up a size |
Exact reveal maths for your stair
The formula is simple: (stair width − runner width) ÷ 2 = reveal on each side, assuming the runner is centred, which it should be on almost every straight flight. For a 28in runner on a stair measuring, say, 34in between the strings, that's (34 − 28) ÷ 2 = 2.8in of bare tread down each side. Measure the clear width at three points — top, middle and bottom of the flight — because most staircases taper by a few millimetres over their length, and the reveal should be calculated from the narrowest point so the runner never overhangs the tread nosing anywhere.
Measure the narrowest point, not the average
Skirting boards, dado rails and old plaster are rarely perfectly parallel. If your stair width varies between top and bottom, size the runner and its reveal off the tightest measurement — an even reveal that is a little generous at the wide end looks intentional; a reveal that goes negative at the narrow end does not.
Roll widths and metric equivalents
Stair runners are cut from broadloom carpet, so the width you buy is set by the loom width the mill weaves, not by an arbitrary inch measurement. A 28in runner is almost always cut from 71cm (28in) — stocked by most broadloom-based stair runner suppliers as a 'wide narrow' option. When comparing products between UK, US and European suppliers, always check the centimetre figure — an 'inch' size is often a rounded label over a genuine metric width, and a difference of a centimetre either way changes your reveal by 5mm each side.
| Roll width (cm) | Inches | Matches 28in runner? |
|---|---|---|
| 56cm | 22.0in | No — narrower |
| 61cm | 24.0in | No |
| 66cm | 26.0in | No |
| 71cm | 28.0in | Yes |
| 81cm | 31.9in | No |
| 100cm | 39.4in | No |
| 120cm | 47.2in | No |
Rod and holder width for this runner
Stair rods and holder bars need to clear the runner by roughly 25-40mm (1-1.6in) in total — about the same overhang on each end, excluding any finials. For a 28in runner that means a rod length (before finials) of roughly 29-29.6in (74-75cm). Confirm this against your actual stair width too — the rod must sit clear of the strings, not just clear of the runner, so on a stair near the top of this runner's range the rod length is set by the string gap rather than by the runner edge. Work out exact holder counts and lengths with the stair runner rods calculator.
Where this width looks wrong
- On a stair narrower than about 28in (71cm): the reveal disappears and the runner reads as wall-to-wall carpet rather than a runner.
- On a stair wider than about 40in (102cm): the runner looks like a narrow strip lost in the middle of a wide tread — step up a size.
- On a staircase with a strong taper: a reveal that is correct at the top and negative at the bottom, so the runner appears to run off the tread.
- Where the newel posts are wide and boxy: a narrow runner beside a chunky post looks under-scaled; measure the reveal against the post, not just the string.
- On winders and curved sections: this straight-flight sizing does not apply — winders need bespoke width planning, usually handled with a template.
Worked yardage example: 15-step flight
Take a flight of 15 steps with a 10in tread depth and a 7.5in riser height, plus a 4in return onto the landing at the top. The 'going' of carpet needed per step is tread plus riser: 10 + 7.5 = 17.5in. Across 15 steps that's 17.5 × 15 = 262.5in, plus the 4in landing allowance, giving a total run of 266.5in (22.21ft, 6.77m).
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Going per step | 10in tread + 7.5in riser | 17.5in |
| Total for 15 steps | 17.5in × 15 | 262.5in |
| Landing allowance | Fixed extra at the top | 4in |
| Total run | Sum of the above | 266.5in / 22.21ft |
| Waste and pattern-matching allowance | +10% standard allowance | 2.22ft |
| Order length | Total run + waste, rounded up to the yard | 8.1 yards (7.4m) |
Round up, always
Suppliers cut to the yard or metre, not the inch, and re-ordering a short length rarely matches the original dye lot. Round 8.1 yards up to 9 yards and treat the extra as insurance, not waste — it also covers binding take-up and any pattern repeat on a striped or patterned 28in runner.
28in vs the next size up or down
| Width | Best for | Reveal on a typical 32in stair |
|---|---|---|
| 22in / 56cm | Cottage and older narrow staircases | 5.0in — very generous, borderline lost |
| 24in / 61cm | Standard narrow hall staircases | 4.0in — wide but workable |
| 26in / 66cm | Mid-size semi/terrace staircases | 3.0in — comfortable |
| 28in / 71cm | Wider mid-size staircases | 2.0in — comfortable, tighter |
| 32in / 81cm | Wide detached/new-build staircases | 0in — needs a wider stair |
Fitting and stock notes for this width
At 28in, a full-width rod starts to feel substantial rather than delicate, so this is a good width to pair with a heavier rod diameter (10-12mm rather than 8mm) if you're using rods at all — a thin rod across a 28in runner can look under-scaled. It's also wide enough that pattern repeats on striped or Fair Isle designs read clearly across the tread, which is worth factoring in if you're choosing a patterned runner rather than a plain one.
Know your numbers in 30 seconds
Enter your step count, tread depth and riser height — the stair runner calculator gives you the exact length to order, in metres and feet, with waste included.
Open the stair runner calculatorBuying checklist for this width
- Measure your stair's clear width at top, middle and bottom; use the narrowest figure.
- Confirm 28in gives a reveal in the 2-4.5in range at that narrowest point.
- Check the supplier's exact cm figure against the 71cm standard for this size, not just the inch label.
- Calculate total run length (tread + riser × steps + landing) and add 10% for waste.
- Round the order up to a full yard or metre and confirm dye-lot consistency for the full length.
- Size rods or holders to roughly 29-29.6in, excluding finials, and clear of the strings.
Whatever you decide, get the numbers first: the stair runner calculator doubles as a stair runner length calculator, adding nosing wrap, landings, winders, pattern repeat and waste so you order the right length the first time.
Frequently asked questions
What stair width suits a 28in runner?
A 28in (71cm) runner suits a staircase measuring roughly 31-36in (79-91cm) stair width between the strings, giving a reveal of about 1.5-4.0in on each side.
How do I calculate the reveal for a 28in runner?
Subtract the runner width from the stair width and divide by two: (stair width − 28) ÷ 2. Measure the stair at its narrowest point so the reveal never goes negative anywhere along the flight.
What roll width is a 28in stair runner cut from?
Almost always 71cm (28in) — stocked by most broadloom-based stair runner suppliers as a 'wide narrow' option.
How long a rod do I need for a 28in runner?
Roughly 29-29.6in (74-75cm) excluding finials, provided that length also clears the strings on your actual stair.
Is 71cm the same as 28in?
71cm converts to 28.0in, which is rounded to 28in in most English-language catalogues — close enough that reveal calculations barely change, but confirm the exact figure before ordering if your stair is near the edge of the comfortable range.
When does a 28in runner look wrong?
On a stair narrower than about 28in the reveal disappears and it reads as wall-to-wall carpet; on a stair wider than about 40in it looks like a narrow strip lost on the tread.
How much runner do I need to order for a typical flight?
For a 15-step flight with a 10in tread and 7.5in riser, expect a total run of about 22.2ft before waste, and around 8.1 yards once the standard 10% allowance is added — always round up to a full yard.
Should I round my order up or down?
Always round up to the next full yard or metre. A short order rarely matches the original dye lot on re-order, and the extra covers binding take-up and any pattern repeat.
Know your numbers in 30 seconds
Enter your step count, tread depth and riser height — the stair runner calculator gives you the exact length to order, in metres and feet, with waste included.
Check my stair widthEvery guide is written from hands-on measuring and fitting experience, checked against the calculator’s own maths, and re-reviewed whenever prices or methods change. Read our editorial standards.