This stair carpet cost calculator prices carpet, stair-rated pad and labor per step, so you can see the real cost to carpet a staircase before you get quotes.
Enter your room size below to estimate carpet, padding and professional installation cost. The worked example beneath the form is produced by the same calculation the tool runs.
Inputs: 13 straight box stairs, no room carpet. Stairs are priced per step at $20–$70, ×1.3 for L-shaped or winder flights.
Total estimated cost: $260 – $910 (typical mid-point $585). Labor and disposal use the Midwest rate; enter a ZIP code in the tool to switch regions. You can download this breakdown as a PDF from the live tool.
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| 6. Stairs | $585 |
Stair carpet is priced per step, not per square foot. 13 standard straight stairs cost $260-$910 installed in 2026 ($20-$70 per step) including carpet, 8 lb stair-rated pad and labor.
Carpeting 13 stairs costs $260-$910 in 2026, or $20-$70 per step including standard carpet, padding and labor. Pie or winder treads add $10-$25 per step.
A stair runner uses about 30% less carpet, saving $100-$300 on a 13-step staircase, but adds $50-$150 in installation skill premium for clean edges.
About 25-35 sq ft for a standard 36-inch wide 13-step staircase with full coverage; 18-22 sq ft for a runner with exposed sides.
Yes, and most installers recommend it for visual flow. Order 10-15% extra carpet vs your room calc to account for the stair waste.
Yes — use a high-density 7-8 lb stair-rated rebond pad. Standard 6 lb pad compresses too quickly under foot traffic and voids many install warranties on stairs.