Route 1 — Cut a runner from broadloom carpet
Broadloom comes in 3.66m (12ft) and 4m widths. Cut lengthwise, a single 4m width yields four 68cm runner strips (allowing for binding) — enough for most houses with material left over.
- Calculate the total running length you need first, including nosing wrap, landings and waste.
- Roll the carpet out flat, face down, somewhere large and warm. Let it relax for 24 hours.
- Mark the cut line by counting rows of tufts on the backing — following tuft rows gives a far straighter cut than a chalk line.
- Cut from the back with a sharp hook blade against a long straightedge, changing blades often.
- Get the strips bound before they are handled much; raw cut edges shed quickly.
Pile direction is not optional
Every strip must run the same way, and the pile should lay down the staircase so it feels smooth when you walk down and looks richest from below. Mark an arrow on the back of each strip the moment you cut it.
Binding options compared
| Finish | Look | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine cotton/linen binding | Neat, traditional | £4–£9 / $5–$12 per metre | Carpet shops and binding services do this |
| Wide fabric tape binding | Contemporary, contrast option | £6–£14 / $8–$18 per metre | Great for making a plain runner look bespoke |
| Serging (whipped edge) | Rug-like, soft | £8–£16 / $10–$20 per metre | Best on wool; slow to produce |
| Leather or faux-leather trim | High-end, statement | £15–£30 / $20–$38 per metre | Specialist workrooms only |
| DIY iron-on binding tape | Acceptable at a distance | £1–£3 / $1–$4 per metre | Least durable; will lift eventually on stairs |
Route 2 — Join runner rugs
Buying two or three long runner rugs and joining them is popular because rugs come pre-bound. It works, with two caveats: the joins must land somewhere hidden, and the rugs must be from the same production batch or the colour will differ.
- Place every join at the back of a tread, tucked into the crease where it is invisible and takes no direct footfall.
- Butt the two ends, never overlap — an overlap is a trip edge.
- Join with a strong carpet seaming tape on the underside plus staples into the crease through both layers.
- Never join on a nosing or in the middle of a tread.
What it actually costs
A wool broadloom at £30/m² cut into 70cm strips works out around £21 per linear metre of runner before binding, versus £45–£90 per linear metre for a comparable pre-bound designer runner. Add £5–£10 per metre for binding and the saving is still substantial — the cost is your time and the risk of a wonky cut.
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 calculatorWhen not to DIY it
- Bold patterns needing precise matching — one bad cut wastes metres.
- Sisal and other natural fibres, which fray fast and are unforgiving to cut.
- Curved or spiral staircases requiring templated pieces.
- Any carpet where the manufacturer voids the warranty on site-cut goods.
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
Can you make a stair runner from a normal carpet roll?
Yes — cut lengthwise strips following the tuft rows on the backing, keep pile direction consistent, and have the edges professionally bound. It is the cheapest route to a custom width.
Do you have to bind the edges of a homemade stair runner?
Yes. An unbound cut edge sheds fibre and unravels within months on stairs. Machine binding is inexpensive and most carpet retailers offer it as a service.
Can you join two runner rugs to make a stair runner?
You can. Butt the ends at the back of a tread so the join sits in the crease, tape underneath and staple through, and buy both rugs from the same batch to avoid a colour shift.
How much carpet do I need to make a stair runner?
Work out the total running length from your step count, tread depth, riser height, landings and waste, then divide the carpet roll width by your runner width to see how many strips each roll length yields.
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.
Work out how much carpet to buy