measure my stairs for stair treads, including 12 steps and 1 landing

First things first! Let's confirm the scope of your project: 12 individual stair treads and one landing. Now, let's get your tools ready. You'll need a reliable tape measure (a rigid one works best), a pencil, and some masking tape for notes. While not essential for a simple measurement, having a carpenter's square and a small level on hand is a great pro-tip to check if your steps are square and flat, which can affect the final look.

Let's get the depth for each step, one by one. Place the end of your tape measure firmly against the vertical part at the back of the step (this is called the 'riser'). Pull the tape straight towards you, across the flat part of the step and over the rounded front edge (the 'nosing'). For your new treads to lay perfectly flat and secure, you must measure the actual wood surface. Measuring over old carpet, staples, or glue residue will lead to an incorrect fit. Write down the depth measurement for each step as you go.

Working on one tread at a time (and don't forget the landing!), measure the width from left to right. If your stairs are between two walls, measure the full wall-to-wall distance. If one or both sides are open, measure the full width of the wood tread. To achieve that classic, high-end look, our treads are designed to leave a small, elegant border of wood visible. A common practice is to leave about 1 inch on each side. So, for a 36-inch wide stair, a 34-inch tread is a perfect choice. Record the width for each step.

Precision is key to a flawless finish. In a notebook, create a simple list from 1 to 12 for your treads, plus one for the landing. Next to each number, write down the width and depth you measured. Don't be surprised if the numbers aren't all identical, especially in older homes—it's very common! If a step's measurement is unique, place a small piece of masking tape on its riser and label it with the corresponding number from your list. This simple step is the secret to getting that perfect, custom-made-to-fit look. For added peace of mind, especially when ordering custom-fit treads, taking a quick photo of each labeled step can be a great reference.