The standard stair is 30 inches wide. If your stairs follow the standard dimensions, it will be much easier to measure and lay your carpet, as carpet runners designed for the standard dimensions will be easy to find. Assuming you have standard-sized stairs, and allowing for 3 inches on either side to display the wood, you need 24 inches for each stair step and riser. Rise (height) and runs (width) can vary in size, so be sure to measure closely. An easy calculation is multiplying the number of stairs by the individual step’s width and height. Then divide the answer by 12 to find the square footage. [3] X Expert Source Josh GoldenbergResidential Remodeling Expert Expert Interview. 25 January 2022.

Consider taking pictures of your stairs as they are to give the sales associate a kind of visual references to keep in mind while he helps you. If you are trying to calculate the amount of carpet material you’ll need from the sales associate, remember to keep the stair’s nose (or rounded front-section) in mind, giving a couple more inches than you would otherwise to compensate for it.

Some carpet designs come with a design woven into it. If this is the case, you’ll want to respect the properties of the design pattern while placing the carpet. Ideally, you should aim to give the staircase as much visible symmetry as possible. This may make working with patterning irregularly-sized staircases very tricky, as most carpet runners are made to fit a certain kind of stair.

As much carpet as is required to fit the stairs, leaving an extra couple of feet to account for cuts and possible errors. Tackless strips to hold the carpet and padding down. You’ll need at least three for each step. An industrial stapler and staples, for securing the carpet. A hammer and nails. Two strips of padding for each step – one of the step itself, and one for the rise. A carpet knee-kicker, to help stretch and fasten carpets. With stairs you want to stretch it into the inner corner of each step.

You can mark your outline in blue masking tape for nice lines, then simply peel it off when you are finished.

Carpet tackless strips are almost always strips of Douglas fir wood, usually 4 feet long by 1 inch wide, with very sharp nails protruding through them at 60 degree angles and tacks or brads partially sunk in the strip.

As always, an HB pencil is best for this, as the line will be clear and visible.

One or two strips per step is enough, so long as you leave a strip for the height of each step to install horizontally. Install one for now, closer to the rise; that way, you’ll have an easier time gauging the center for the horizontal strips.

With the tread strips in place it will be much easier to properly aim and gauge the center,

Work your way from the top to the bottom. That way, you’ll maximize the stepping space and comfort you are afforded while you work.

This time, it’s a good idea to start from the bottom and work slowly up. That way, you’ll be able to stand firmly on the padding while you’re stapling subsequent steps.

The nose is the part of the step that extends slightly past the drop, or height. The height, then, is the vertical part of the step.

Make sure each step is as good as it can get before you move down to the next– any mistake will cause a load of undue strain later on once the project is supposedly complete.

Lean on the front knob of the kicker with one hand, and use the other hand to keep the kicker’s shaft level. [12] X Research source You can also use a carpet chisel. The dull edge helps tighten up corners and is easier to use on stairs or in tight quarters.

Feel free to do what you will with the remainder of the carpet. Some people are quick to throw them out, while others like to find practical uses for them.

Staple on the underside of the step noses, and nearest the angle between the tread and height. Staple at three inch intervals for optimal stability. Alternatively, you can use carpet glue instead of staples. Make absolutely certain that the carpet is exactly where you want it to be before you staple. After you staple, it will be next to impossible to correct any mistakes.