Rug Size for a Hallway
Quick answer: choose a runner 24–32 inches wide (leaving 4–8 inches of floor on each side) and run it about 90% of the hallway length, leaving 6–12 inches bare at each end. A 10 ft hallway takes a 9 ft runner; an 18 ft hallway takes a 16 ft runner.
- Runner width: the 4–8 inch rule
- Runner length: the 90% rule
- Door clearance
- Common runner sizes
- Worked example: a 36×120 hallway
- FAQ
Runner width: the 4–8 inch rule
A hallway runner should leave 4–8 inches of visible floor on each side. That border frames the rug and keeps it from looking like wall-to-wall carpet. A 36-inch hallway takes a 26-inch runner; a 40-inch hallway takes a 30-inch runner. Standard runner widths are 24, 27 and 32 inches — pick the closest that leaves an even border.
Runner length: the 90% rule
Run the runner about 90% of the hallway length, leaving 6–12 inches of bare floor at each end. An end-to-end rug looks cramped and collects door traffic; a breathing zone at both ends reads as intentional. If the hallway opens into a room, stop the runner at the doorway threshold instead of running it into the room.
Door clearance
Doors that swing open must clear the rug. In a hallway with multiple doors, center the runner and keep it clear of each swing arc. A door that opens across the runner means ending the rug short of that doorway — otherwise the door drags on the pile every time it opens. Doors on the long side that open inward usually pass the test with a centered runner.
Common runner sizes
| Hallway length | Runner length | Typical width |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ft | 5 ft | 2–2.5 ft |
| 10 ft | 9 ft | 2–2.5 ft |
| 14 ft | 12 ft | 2.5 ft |
| 18 ft | 16 ft | 2.5–2.7 ft |
| 22 ft | 20 ft | 2.7–3 ft |
Worked example: a 36×120 inch hallway
- Width 36 in → runner width = 36 − 8 = 28 in (fits the 27–32 range)
- Length 120 in → runner length = 120 × 0.9 = 108 in = 9 ft
- End clearance = (120 − 108) ÷ 2 = 6 in each end
- Final pick: a 2.5 × 9 ft runner, or 27×108 in custom
FAQ
Pick a runner 24–32 inches wide (leave 4–8 inches of floor on each side) and run it about 90% of the hallway length, leaving 6–12 inches of floor at each end. A 10 ft hallway takes a 9 ft runner.
About 24–32 inches wide for most hallways. You want 4–8 inches of visible floor on each side. A 36-inch hallway takes a 26-inch runner; a 40-inch hallway takes a 30-inch runner.
About 90% of the hallway length — leave 6–12 inches of bare floor at each end. Common sizes: 9 ft for a 10 ft hall, 12 ft for a 14 ft hall, 16 ft for an 18 ft hall.
Yes — leave clearance where doors swing open so they don't drag on the rug. A door that opens across the runner means ending the rug short of that doorway.
A 26–28 inch wide runner fits a 36-inch hallway, leaving about 4–5 inches of floor on each side. Length follows the hall: about 90% of it.