how to measure your stairs for carpet treads

Before we begin, walk your staircase and count each individual tread you step on. A fun fact: you'll always have one more riser (the vertical part) than you have treads! Now, let's gather your tools for success. You'll need a quality tape measure, a carpenter's square for checking corners, a level, some masking tape for marking, and a pencil and paper to jot down your numbers. Having everything ready makes the process smooth and stress-free.

Working one step at a time, place your tape measure firmly against the riser (the vertical back of the step). Extend it straight out across the tread, going over the rounded front lip, which we call the 'nosing'. A safety-conscious tip: For the most accurate measurement, always measure the bare wood. Measuring over old carpet remnants or adhesive can throw off your numbers and compromise the fit. Write down the depth for each individual step.

Measure the width of your tread from side to side, keeping the tape measure parallel to the riser. If your stairs are between two walls, measure wall-to-wall. If a side is open, measure the full width of the wooden step. A design-conscious tip: Many homeowners prefer a classic bordered look, leaving about 1 inch of exposed wood on either side of the carpet tread. For example, a 36-inch wide stair is a perfect candidate for a 34-inch wide tread. Note the width for every step.

Create a simple list, noting the width and depth for every single tread. Don't be surprised if you find slight variations, especially in older homes—it's completely normal! Use small pieces of masking tape to number any steps with unique dimensions. This is the key to getting a truly custom-made to fit result. For extra peace of mind, especially with custom orders, snapping a quick photo of each step can be very helpful. Remember the golden rule of DIY: measure twice, order once. This ensures your project is a success from the start.