Landings tool
Stair Runner Landing Calculator
L-shaped, U-shaped or split staircases: add each flight and landing and get a piece-by-piece runner length, pattern allowance included.
Why landings change the maths
A straight flight is a single multiplication. The moment a staircase turns, three things change at once: you gain a flat landing area that still needs covering, the runner is usually cut into separate pieces, and every one of those pieces needs its own pattern repeat and turn-under allowance. Ignore any of them and you order short — the most expensive mistake in this whole job, because dye lots move and a second cut rarely matches the first.
This landing calculator handles each flight independently. Add as many flights as your staircase has, give each one its step count and the depth of the landing that follows it, and the tool builds a piece-by-piece cutting list plus a single order length.
Common staircase shapes
| Shape | Typical setup | Pieces | Extra vs straight flight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | 13 steps, no landing | 1 | — |
| Quarter turn (L) | 9 steps + landing + 4 steps | 2–3 | +10–15% |
| Half turn (U) | 7 steps + half-landing + 7 steps | 2–3 | +15–20% |
| Split landing | Flight to landing, two short flights up | 3–4 | +20–25% |
Measure the landing in the direction of travel
The number you need is how far the runner walks across the landing, not the landing's widest dimension. On a quarter turn that is usually the shorter measurement — measure from the top nosing of the lower flight to the bottom riser of the upper flight.
Continuous or cut?
- Continuous looks cleaner on shallow landings under about 24in and on plain runners.
- Cut pieces are standard on half-landings, quarter turns and any patterned runner.
- Cut pieces make future repairs cheaper — you replace one flight, not the whole run.
- Continuous runs need more skill to tension so the runner does not lift at the turn.
Once you have your total, check the width and cost side of the job too, then take the figures into a project so your fitter gets a per-piece cutting list rather than one number on a text message.
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
How do you measure a stair runner with a landing?
Measure each flight separately (steps x tread + riser + nosing), then measure the landing front to back in the direction the runner travels. Add them together, and add a full pattern repeat for every separate piece if the runner is cut at the landing.
Should a stair runner continue across a landing?
It can go either way. Running continuously across a shallow landing looks seamless but needs one long piece and careful tensioning. Cutting at the landing is far more common on half-landings and quarter turns, and lets the fitter square the pattern up on each flight.
Do L-shaped and U-shaped stairs need more runner?
Yes. Beyond the extra landing area, cutting the runner into separate pieces means each piece needs its own pattern repeat and its own turn-under at each end, which typically adds 10–20% over a straight flight of the same step count.
How much extra should I allow for a half-landing?
Measure the actual landing depth — most half-landings are 36–48in front to back. Add that to your run, then add one pattern repeat if the runner is cut there and the design needs matching.
Do I need an account to use the landing calculator?
Yes — the multi-flight landing calculator is free but sits behind an account so your flights, landings and cutting list save into projects you can revisit or turn into a client quote. The straight-flight stair runner calculator on the home page needs no sign-up.
How much runner do I need for a U-shaped staircase?
Add each flight separately, then both landings, then a pattern repeat and turn-under for every separate piece. A 16-step U-shape with two half-landings typically needs 15–25% more runner than 16 steps in a straight line.
Can one piece of runner go round a quarter turn?
Only on a shallow quarter landing where the direction change is a simple 90 degrees and the runner can be eased round. On winder treads, or wherever the pattern would end up skewed, fitters cut and restart — which is why the calculator prices each piece separately.