Installing a stair runner costs $40 to $100 per step on a straight staircase, or $480 to $1,600 for a typical 12 to 16 step flight, labor and materials included.1 Fitting alone runs $15 to $35 per straight step, and a flat professional install of a straight staircase is quoted at $299 to $350 by one flooring retailer.2,3 Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on runner material, step count, stair shape, edge finishing, and whether old carpet has to come out first.
$40 – $100
per step, straight stairs (HomeGuide)
$480 – $1,600
12 to 16 steps installed (HomeGuide)
$15 – $35
fitting only, per straight step (Stair Runner Calculator)
$299 – $350
straight staircase install (Floor & Decor CT)
Installed cost by number of steps (HomeGuide)
| Steps | Basic runner | Complex or custom |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | $400 – $1,000 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| 12 | $480 – $1,200 | $1,400 – $2,400 |
| 14 | $560 – $1,400 | $1,700 – $2,800 |
| 16 | $640 – $1,600 | $1,900 – $3,200 |
| 18 | $720 – $1,800 | $2,200 – $3,600 |
| 20 | $800 – $2,000 | $2,400 – $4,000 |
Cost by runner material and stair shape
| Option | Installed cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic (nylon, polyester, olefin) | $480 – $1,600 | HomeGuide |
| Natural fiber (wool, jute, sisal) | $1,000 – $2,700 | HomeGuide |
| Custom Persian | $2,300 – $5,000 | HomeGuide |
| Straight stairs, per step | $40 – $100 | HomeGuide |
| U or L-shaped, per step | $70 – $150 | HomeGuide |
| Curved or spiral, per step | $120 – $200 | HomeGuide |
HomeGuide prices straight runs at $480 to $1,600, U or L-shaped at $840 to $2,400, and curved or spiral at $1,400 to $3,200 for 12 to 16 steps.1
Fitting rates and add-ons
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Straight step, waterfall fit | $15 – $25 per step | Stair Runner Calculator |
| Straight step, wrapped (Hollywood) fit | $20 – $35 per step | Stair Runner Calculator |
| Winder or pie step | $30 – $60 per step | Stair Runner Calculator |
| Landing panel | $60 – $150 each | Stair Runner Calculator |
| Stair rod fitting | $8 – $20 per rod | Stair Runner Calculator |
| Half-day minimum charge | $150 – $350 | Stair Runner Calculator |
| Standard cotton binding | $4 – $4.50 per linear ft | Floor & Decor CT |
| Wide cotton binding (3 in) | $11.50 per linear ft | Floor & Decor CT |
| Padding, installed | $0.75 – $1.75 per sq ft | HomeGuide |
| Old carpet removal | $7 – $10 per step (up to $25 if glued) | HomeGuide |
Floor & Decor CT notes most runners today are custom-fabricated from broadloom carpet rather than cut from a roll, which is why binding is priced per linear foot.3 The two fitting prices are not directly comparable: one is per step, the other is a flat price for a straight staircase.2,3
Full stair carpet, for comparison (Angi)
A full-width carpet on stairs, not a runner, averages $400 for 13 to 16 steps at $14 to $36 per step, with most homeowners paying $300 to $650.4 Angi prices straight staircases at $150 to $650 and L or U-shaped at $300 to $1,000. These figures are lower than HomeGuide’s because they cover builder-grade carpet fitted edge to edge, not a bound runner with exposed treads.
DIY or hire
A straight flight with a plain runner and a waterfall fit is a realistic DIY job. It saves the entire labor line, which Stair Runner Calculator puts at $250 to $500, but winders, landings and pattern repeats put expensive material at risk.2 Home Depot’s stair runner section shows current ready-made runner prices (plain link, not affiliate). Most runners are 27 to 32 inches wide with 3 to 5 inches of bare tread showing on each side.1
Related guides
Staircase Installation Cost
Banister Replacement Cost (2026): Stair Railing Prices by Material
Stair Refinishing Cost (2026): Per-Staircase Prices and Labor
Carpet Installation Cost
Carpet Cleaning Cost
Stair Stringer Calculator
All cost guides
Sources
1. HomeGuide — Stair Runner Installation Cost
2. Stair Runner Calculator — Stair Runner Installation Cost
3. Floor & Decor CT — A Stair Runner Pricing Guide
4. Angi — Cost to Carpet Stairs