What a half landing is
A half landing is a flat platform, typically the same width as the staircase, where a flight turns back on itself, most commonly through 180 degrees. Unlike winder treads, it involves no pie-shaped steps, just a flat section that the runner has to cross before the second flight begins.
Continuous run or seam at the landing
| Approach | Extra length allowance | Look | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runner continues flat across landing | Landing depth + 5% waste | Seamless, most premium look | Moderate |
| Runner turns a corner on the landing itself | Landing depth x 2 (both directions) + 10% | Neat, needs careful mitred corner | Hard |
| Runner seamed at each edge of landing, different piece fills the landing | Landing area + 10% waste, separate piece | Practical, visible seams | Moderate |
Measuring the landing itself
- Measure the landing's depth in the direction of travel, from the top of the lower flight to the start of the upper flight.
- Measure the landing's width to confirm it matches the runner width, since half landings are sometimes wider than the stair width.
- If the runner turns a corner on the landing, measure both legs of the L-shape it will need to cover.
- Note whether a mitred corner or a simple straight seam will be used, since this changes the cutting layout.
A 180-degree turn usually means two 90-degree corners
Most half landings involve the runner turning twice, once entering and once leaving the landing, each of which needs its own mitred corner or seam allowance, not a single turn allowance.
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 calculatorTypical extra material
| Landing size | Extra length allowance | Difficulty | DIY-able |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small half landing (under 1 m deep) | 0.3–0.5 m extra | Moderate | Yes |
| Standard half landing (1–1.5 m deep) | 0.6–1.0 m extra | Hard | Experienced DIY only |
| Large half landing (over 1.5 m deep) | 1.0 m+ extra | Hard | Fitter recommended |
When to call a professional instead
Plenty of homeowners handle stair runner for half-landing stairs themselves on a straightforward straight flight, but certain conditions tip the balance firmly towards hiring a fitter. Getting a second opinion before committing materials often costs nothing and can save an expensive mistake on a job that cannot easily be undone.
- The staircase has a turn, winders, a curve or a split level rather than one straight run.
- The existing substrate is damaged, damp, or its condition is genuinely unclear.
- The runner is an expensive natural fibre or bespoke pattern where a cutting mistake is costly.
- You have no experience with a staple gun, knee kicker or carpet seaming on stairs.
- The staircase is the main one in the home and downtime or an unfinished look is not acceptable.
Worked example with real numbers
To see how stair runner for half-landing stairs plays out on an actual staircase, take a common 13-step flight with a 10 in (25 cm) tread depth and a 7.5 in (19 cm) riser height. That gives 17.5 in (44 cm) per step, or 227.5 in (5.78 m) of raw length before any waste allowance is added, a figure worth keeping in mind whenever this topic is discussed in isolation from the rest of the job.
| Measurement | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth | 10 in | 25 cm |
| Riser height | 7.5 in | 19 cm |
| Per step total | 17.5 in | 44 cm |
| 13 steps, raw length | 227.5 in | 5.78 m |
| With 8% waste allowance | 245.7 in | 6.24 m |
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
How is a half landing measured for a stair runner?
As a flat rectangle, measuring its depth in the direction of travel and its width, separately from the tread-plus-riser calculation used for the sloped flights on either side.
Does a stair runner need to be seamed at a half landing?
Not necessarily. It can run continuously across the landing for a seamless look, or be seamed at each edge with the landing covered by a separate piece, which is simpler to fit.
How much extra runner does a half landing need?
Roughly 0.3 to 1.0 metres or more depending on the landing's depth, plus additional allowance if the runner turns a corner on the landing itself.
Can a half landing be a DIY stair runner project?
A small, simple half landing is manageable for an experienced DIYer, but a larger landing with mitred corners or a continuous turning run is best left to a professional fitter.
What is the biggest mistake people make with this?
Rushing the measuring or prep stage. Most poor outcomes with stair runner for half-landing stairs trace back to a single measurement taken at the wrong point, or a substrate check skipped to save a few minutes, both far cheaper to fix before the runner is cut than after.
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.
Measure my half-landing stairsEvery 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.