First, identify which corner you have
| Turn type | What it is | Runner approach |
|---|---|---|
| Half landing (dog-leg) | A flat square landing between two flights | Separate pieces, joined at the landing |
| Quarter landing | A flat landing at a 90° turn | Separate pieces, join hidden at the back of the landing |
| Winders / pie steps | Wedge-shaped steps that turn as they rise | Individual pieces cut per step |
| Curved / continuous | Sweeping curve with no flat landing | Templated, tapered pieces — specialist work |
The rule that governs every corner
A stair runner is only continuous while the direction of travel is constant. As soon as the stair turns, you are fitting separate pieces — and pieces mean extra length, because every piece needs its own tuck allowance and, on a patterned runner, its own full pattern repeat.
Fitting around a landing turn
- Fit the upper flight first, running the runner down and finishing it at the back of the landing, tucked and stapled into the crease.
- Cut a separate landing piece to cover the landing floor, aligning it with the direction of the lower flight.
- Butt the landing piece against the upper flight's finish, never overlap.
- Run the lower flight piece up onto the landing so it meets the landing piece at the back of the top step, hiding that join in the crease.
- Check the reveal on both flights before fixing anything permanently — turns are where runners drift out of centre.
Fitting winders (pie steps)
Winders are cut individually. The runner cannot be one continuous strip across a wedge, because the inner edge travels far less distance than the outer edge.
- Template each winder in paper or card first — this takes ten minutes and saves metres of carpet.
- Cut each piece with the runner width kept parallel to the walking line, not to the tread edges.
- Fold and tuck the excess on the narrow inside edge into the crease rather than trimming it flush; that fold gives you adjustment.
- Staple the outside edge first, then work in toward the newel.
- Keep the visible width identical on every step — the eye reads width, not geometry.
Patterns around a corner
- Stripes running across the runner are the most forgiving; they simply restart at the landing.
- Stripes running lengthwise must line up on both sides of the turn — measure twice.
- Large geometrics and herringbone need a full extra repeat per piece; order accordingly.
- On winders, accept that a bold pattern will not resolve perfectly. Choose a plain, subtle texture, or a small-scale pattern, for turning staircases.
Extra material to allow
As a rule of thumb, add 10–15cm of tuck allowance per piece, plus one full pattern repeat per piece on patterned goods, plus 5–10% general waste. On a staircase with a half landing and three winders you are looking at five separate pieces — the allowances add up quickly, which is exactly what the calculator's landing and winder fields handle for you.
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 calculatorWhatever 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
Can a stair runner go around a corner in one piece?
No. Once the stair changes direction, the inner and outer edges travel different distances, so the runner is fitted as separate pieces with joins hidden at the back of a tread or landing.
Where should you join a stair runner on a turn?
At the back of a tread or landing, in the crease where the horizontal surface meets the riser. Joins there take no direct footfall and are invisible from below.
How do you fit a runner on winder steps?
Template each pie step, cut a separate piece per step, keep the visible width parallel to the walking line, and tuck the surplus on the narrow inner edge into the crease rather than trimming it flush.
How much extra runner do I need for a turn?
Allow roughly 10–15cm of tuck per separate piece, one extra pattern repeat per piece on patterned runners, and 5–10% general waste on top.
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.
Calculate a turning staircase