Measure Guide
How to measure for a hallway runner
A runner should leave 4–6 inches of bare floor on each end and roughly 4 inches of floor on each long side. Anything closer to the wall reads as wall-to-wall carpet; anything farther floats and bunches.
Step-by-step
Measure the full length of the hallway
Start at one end and pull a tape to the other. Write down the total in feet and inches — runners are sold in foot increments, so you'll round in the next step.
Subtract end margins
Take 8–12 inches off the total length (4–6 inches on each end). That keeps the runner clear of door swings and lets the floor frame the rug visually. If your hallway opens into a room, take the larger margin on that side.
Round to the nearest foot
Custom runners are cut in 1-foot increments. If the result lands between sizes, round down — a runner that's an inch short reads intentional; one that's an inch long buckles at the wall.
Measure the width at the narrowest point
Hallways are rarely a perfect rectangle — door trim, baseboard heating, and floor vents all eat into the runnable width. Measure the narrowest stretch, then subtract 8 inches (4 on each side). 24" or 30" wide covers most homes.
Account for thresholds and door swings
If a door swings over the rug path, the runner needs to clear it — pad and all (about 1/2" lift). Walk each door open before you commit to a length.
Order the cut
With width and length locked in, head to the configurator. We cut to your spec and bind the edges; total lead time is usually 1–2 weeks.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Measuring wall-to-wall and ordering that exact length — leaves no margin and makes the runner look stretched.
- Forgetting the rug pad height — adds about 1/2 inch under the runner, which catches under doors that already swing tight.
- Picking the widest size that fits without checking the narrowest point — the runner will catch on baseboards or trim.
Ready to order?
Custom-cut runners in your exact width and length, bound and finished by hand. Most orders ship in 1–2 weeks.
Configure your runnerFrequently asked
Can I run a single piece around an L-shape or 90° turn?
No — runners are cut from a single straight roll. For an L-shaped hallway, you'll want two pieces meeting at the corner, or a small accent rug at the turn. The 4–6 inch end margin rule applies to each piece independently.
What's the right runner width for a narrow hallway?
If your hallway is 36–42" wide wall-to-wall, a 24"-wide runner usually looks balanced (8–9" of bare floor on each side). For 42–54" hallways, 30" wide is the standard pick. We stock both widths in custom lengths up to 99 ft.
Should the runner go all the way to the door at the end?
Stop 4–6 inches short. A runner that runs right to a door looks like the previous tenant's leftover wall-to-wall, and it'll catch on the door swing as soon as the seasons change.
Do I need a rug pad under a hallway runner?
Yes. Hallways are high-traffic — a pad keeps the runner flat (so it doesn't ruck and trip people), protects the floor underneath, and absorbs sound. The pad should be cut about 1" smaller than the runner on each side so it's not visible.
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