Calculator Inputs
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Quick Comparison
Waterfall per step: —
Cap+Band per step: —
Waterfall total length: —
Cap+Band total length: —
Difference: —
Waterfall area: —
Cap+Band area: —
Area saved vs larger: —
Assumptions: uniform steps; pattern repeat rounds each piece to the nearest full repeat; extra waste % is applied after rounding.
Detailed Results
All values include allowances, rounding, repeat, and extra waste.
| Method | Pieces / step | Per-step length (in) | Total length (in) | Total length (ft / m) | Area (sq ft / m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Run a calculation to view results. | |||||
Example Scenarios
| Steps | Width | Tread | Riser | Repeat | Waste% | Method | Total Length (ft/m) | Area (sq ft/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 36 | 10.5 | 7.5 | 0 | 8 | Waterfall | ||
| 14 | 32 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 10 | Cap+Band | ||
| 16 | 30 | 11 | 7.75 | 3 | 5 | Waterfall | ||
| 13 | 28 | 10.25 | 7.25 | 0 | 7.5 | Cap+Band | ||
| 11 | 27 | 9.75 | 7 | 4 | 6 | Waterfall |
Click “Compute Examples” to populate totals using the same formulas as the calculator.
Formulas Used
- Waterfall per-step length =
tread+riser+nose_drop. - Cap piece length =
tread+nose_wrap. - Band piece length =
riser+tuck_allowance. - Cap-and-band per-step =
cap+band+2 × cut_allowance. - Pattern repeat rounding: if repeat > 0, each piece is rounded up to the next multiple of
repeat. - Extra rounding (optional): per-piece is rounded up to the selected increment.
- Total length = per-step length × steps; then apply
extra_waste_%. - Area =
total_length×width. Conversions: 12 in = 1 ft; 100 cm = 1 m; 1 m² = 10.7639 sq ft.
This estimator assumes uniform stairs and straight runs. For winders, landings, or complex geometries, add those sections separately.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select units and enter number of steps, width, tread, and riser.
- Adjust allowances: nose drop for waterfall; nose wrap, band tuck, and cut allowance for cap-and-band.
- Optional: set a pattern repeat to round each piece to full repeats.
- Set an extra waste percentage to cover trimming, on-site adjustments, and defects.
- Click Calculate to see per-step, total lengths, and area for both methods side by side.
- Use Download Results CSV or Download PDF for quoting or documentation. The PDF includes inputs and the comparison table.
Tip: If using a runner narrower than the stair, use the runner’s width. For full-width installations, use the total stair width.
FAQs
Often yes, because each step is made from two pieces and rounding to pattern can apply to both. However, on tight treads with small risers the difference may be minimal.
Enter runner width if installing a runner. Enter full stair width if carpeting wall-to-wall. The calculator multiplies total length by this width to estimate area.
If the pattern repeats every X units, each piece is rounded up to a multiple of X. This can significantly increase totals, especially for cap-and-band which has two pieces per step.
It is optional but recommended. It covers trimming, defects, on-site adjustments, and matching. Typical ranges are 5–12% depending on site complexity and installer preference.
Yes, but enter them as separate sections and add to the total. This tool assumes uniform steps in the main run.