4/29/23, 5:48 PM Stair Calculator

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Stair Calculator
The Stair Calculator is an online tool for calculating various parameters involved in the construction
of stairs. Refer to the figure adjacent to the calculator as a reference. A fraction to decimal
conversion table for common fractions used in measurements is also provided at the bottom of the
page.

Basic Version
Use One Run Use Total Run

Run 25 centimeters

Total Rise 3.5 meters

Calculate Clear

Comprehensive Version
Result
Rise 7.09 inches   or   18.00 cm
First Step Height 3.15 inches   or   8.00 cm
Total Run 0.47 inch   or   1.20 cm
Number of Steps 4
Stringer Length 2 feet 0.41 inch   or   62.01 cm
Stringer Height 2 feet 0.41 inch   or   62.00 cm
Angle 89.05°

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Use One Run Use Total Run

Run 0.3 centimeters

Total Rise 0.8 meters

Rise Fixed rise (step height)

Fixed number of steps

Rise (step height)

18 centimeters

Tread No tread   Has tread

Headroom No headroom restriction

Has headroom restriction

Mount Standard stringer mount

Flush stringer mount

Calculate Clear

Stair terminology and common building codes

Stairs come in many different forms, and while building a basic staircase may appear to be a
simple task, there are actually a number of parameters, calculations, and building codes that must
be considered. These range from the length, width, and height of specific parts of the stairs, to
where doors are placed in relation to stairs; the arc of a door must be completely on the landing or
floor and not be allowed to swing over steps. Below is a list of some of the most common
terminology regarding stairs, as well as some commonly used building codes. Building codes or
requirements can differ at a local level, and a person building a staircase should refer to the codes
specific to their locations.
Run/Tread: The run or tread is the part of the stairway that a person steps on. Its length is
measured from the outer edge of the step, which includes the nosing if it is present, to the vertical
portion of the stair called the riser. Both nosing and riser are discussed below. When measuring the
total run of a staircase, the length of the tread above the last riser is not included in the
measurement. Also, when nosing is present, the total run is not simply the sum of tread length,
since the overhang caused by the nosing must be subtracted from the total run.
Building codes generally suggest that the thread has a minimum length of 10 inches (25.4 cm).
Rise/Riser: The rise, or height of a step is measured from the top of one tread to the top of the
next tread. It is not the physical height of the riser because this excludes the thickness of the tread.
The number of risers, not the number of treads, is used to determine the number of steps that
comprise a staircase.
Building codes generally suggest that the maximum height of a riser be 7.75 inches (19.7 cm)

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Nosing: The nosing is the protrusion at the edge of a tread that hangs over the riser below. Not all
steps have a nosing, but when present, the nosing is included in the length of the tread. The main
purpose of nosing is to improve safety by providing extra space on which a person can place their
feet.
Common building codes generally suggest that the nosing has a minimum length of 0.75 inches
(1.9 cm) and a maximum length of 1.25 inches (3.2 cm).
Headroom: Headroom is the height measured from the top of a tread to the ceiling above it. While
building codes for headroom are primarily intended to ensure enough room for people to
comfortably use the stairs, the codes typically require far more room than the average height of a
person to allow for moving larger objects such as furniture.
Building codes generally suggest at least 6 ft. 8 inches (203.2 cm) of stair headroom.
Stair Width: Stair width is measured from edge to edge of each side of the tread, perpendicular to
tread length. While measurements of length are conventionally longer than those of width when
considering rectangles, in the case of steps, the width is usually the longer side. Stair width does
not include handrails.
Building codes generally suggest that stairs be at least 36 inches (91.44 cm) wide.
Handrails & Guards/Guardrails: A handrail is a railing that runs up a stair incline for users to hold
when ascending or descending a staircase. A guard is "a building component or a system of
building components located near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the
possibility of a fall from the walking surface to the lower level." Guards can include rails
(guardrails), but can be any number of other constructions such as walls, half-walls, or even a
bench.
Building codes generally require guards for stairs that have a total rise of more than 30 inches
above the floor, and require that these guards be at least 34 inches (86.36 cm) in height measured
from the top of the treads. Similarly, handrails must be between 34 and 38 (96.52) inches high
measured from the top of the treads, with a diameter between 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) and 2.675
inches (6.79 cm).
Stringer: A stair stringer is a structural member that supports the treads and risers of a staircase.
Typically, there are three in a staircase: one on each side, and one in the middle. Stringers are not
always visible, but can be seen on stairs with open sides. The stringers can either be cut to the
shape of each step, or in some cases, are uncut and conceal the edges of the treads.

Fraction to Decimal Conversion

16th 8th 4th 2nd Decimal

1/16       0.0625
2/16 1/8     0.125
3/16       0.1875
4/16 2/8 1/4   0.25
5/16       0.3125
6/16 3/8     0.375
7/16       0.4375
8/16 4/8 2/4 1/2 0.5
9/16       0.5625
10/16 5/8     0.625
11/16       0.6875
12/16 6/8 3/4   0.75
13/16       0.8125
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4/29/23, 5:48 PM Stair Calculator

14/16 7/8     0.875

15/16       0.9375
16/16 8/8 4/4 2/2 1

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