What a pattern repeat actually is
The repeat is the distance along the roll before the design starts again — the pitch of a stripe sequence, one full diamond, one complete herringbone cycle. It is usually printed on the sample label as a figure in inches or centimetres.
Why it costs you length
- Every separate cut piece has to start at the same point in the design, so you sacrifice up to one full repeat per piece.
- A staircase with two landings is three pieces, which means three sacrificed repeats, not one.
- The bigger the repeat, the bigger the penalty — a 4in stripe costs almost nothing, a 27in medallion is brutal.
| Repeat | Pieces | Extra to add |
|---|---|---|
| No pattern | any | 0 |
| 4 in stripe | 3 | 12 in |
| 13 in geometric | 3 | 39 in |
| 27 in medallion | 3 | 81 in (over 2 yd) |
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 calculatorKeeping the pattern centred
Centring matters as much as length. Ask the supplier whether the design is centred on the runner width as woven, or whether the border sits off-centre. On a bordered runner, an inch of drift is visible from the bottom of the stairs.
Matching across a turn
- Decide which flight is most visible — usually the bottom one from the hallway.
- Set the pattern to land cleanly on that flight first.
- Start the next piece at the same point in the repeat, even if it wastes material.
- On winders, accept that the pattern will distort; keep the leading edge of each tread aligned instead.
Order in one dye lot
Ordering the extra repeat allowance later almost always means a different dye lot. Buy the whole length in one go, from one batch.
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 much extra runner do I need for a pattern repeat?
One full repeat per separate cut piece. A straight flight is one piece, so add one repeat. A flight, landing and second flight is three pieces, so add three.
Do stripes count as a pattern repeat?
Yes, but the repeat is short — often only 2 to 6 inches — so the allowance is small. The bigger issue with stripes is keeping them square to the nosing.
Can a fitter match the pattern across a landing?
A good one can, provided you have bought the extra length. Without the allowance there is no material to sacrifice and the join will be visibly out of step.
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.
Add my pattern repeat