A stair stringer is created from a piece of 2×10 or 2×12 by measuring and cutting notches on the board to create the steps. Both nosing and riser are discussed below. Our Stair Calculator is only intended to check the measurements of stairs with identical treads and risers. ", building a staircase. Stairs are made of risers, treads and stringers. The depth of each stair has to be enough for a person to safely walk up. As you can imagine, this type of staircase is the most straightforward to measure and fit carpet runners. At 35 inches, you could have four steps, with each step rising 7.1 inches high. Dividing 25 by 7 ¾ and rounding up will determine the number of risers in the stair: 25 ÷ 7.75 = 3.23 = 4 risers Please use the Measure the exact total rise (Photo 1). Step 4. Measure the exact total rise. ", "Needed supplies and a basic overview. 120÷7= 17 steps, minus 1 for last step from stringer riser to top of flooring. While the guide is a great tool for us to understand the overall construction of your staircase, there are just a few other important details that will need to accompany the guide. Measure from the very bottom of the stairs to the top of the space where the stairs will be, which is the rise. The automatic calculator will design your stair stringer as close to the target height as possible, while maintaining a common step height. Easy to use free stair calculator by EZ Stairs. Stairs built over both an uneven hillside & uneven bottom or top landing. We suggest that you include the associated page along with your Requests for Quotes … Measures should be taken to preventing a person from falling more than 36 risers, this can be done by a barrier, or a landing ≥ 2m in length, or a change in direction of the stairway of ≥90°. At this time go ahead and measure the required length of the stairs. In a set of stairs 36 inches wide, there are typically three stringers (one on each end and one in the middle). Divide the height of the rise on the chosen precut stringer by the height needed for the stairs to determine the number of risers the precut stringer needs to have to fit your deck. For example, if you are installing a stair on a deck, your floor to floor measurement would be the length between ground level and the finished deck flooring. Total Stair Tread or Total Run – It is the total horizontal length between two landing platforms. To simplify the process, we’ve created this deck stair calculator to help you determine the correct measurements needed to carry out your project. This article was co-authored by Lui Colmenares. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Risers - the Step Height [F] is the typical height of each step. Lui Colmenares. Your staircase will have 7 stairs. Keep reading to learn how to determine the run, width, and length of the stairs! The Mobile Stair Calculator is available as always on mycarpentry.com, but I urge you to try this very webpage on your mobile or tablet device. Total Rise [A] - The total rise of a set of stairs is the vertical distance between the bottom of the first step and the top of the finished landing. 2 Risers + 1 Tread = 63-65 cm . If the Stinger Mount Type is Flush, then the number of risers is the same as the number of steps. Step 1 Measure the height of the rise, or back section, of the precut stair stringer. That way, you can remove any paint you get on the treads before staining them; and painted risers are relatively easy to protect from stain. For additional information check out the Stairs with Landings. Measuring the length so you can work out the length of runner required. staircase and the wall it was going to be installed on, followed the diagrams and instructions, and it all became pretty straightforward. ÷ 7 = 6.57 in., or a riser height of 69/16 in. I hope you will find it better than my old Mobile Stair Calculator. First, you need to measure the total RISE (height) from your base/bottom elevation to your porch elevation. automatic  Stair stringers set diagonally and attach the top high surface to the ground or floor. Whether you’re planning for a home renovation or simply shopping for a new carpet for the stairs, both will entail a measurement for your staircase. ", "Do not like to reinvent the wheel, thanks for tried and true advice! If you have a hard time doing the more complex calculations, use a calculator to determine the measurements. Handy NYC prides itself on quality work performed with speed, skill, and punctuality. If the numbers are too high, add some more steps. 18 August 2020. Divide the rise measurement by 7 or 7.5. Accurately determining both the rise and run will ensure the stairs reach the required height at a safe angle. The stringer length is the tip-to-tip length of the cut stringer. How do I know how many steps I'll need for stairs? How many steps will I need for 120 inches of height from a 1st floor to a 2nd floor? Geometrical calculations for rise & run. You must use stringers in pairs, though additional stringers create sturdier staircases. ", "It's really useful. It is equal to the number of treads multiplied by the typical Tread Depth [B]. By using our site, you agree to our. The Target Use the stair tread template tool to measure your current treads and risers. To calculate the stringer length, follow this formula: (run) 2 + (stair rise) 2 = [square root of your total] MEASURE TWICE TO ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT DIMENSIONS AND ANGLES ALONG THE WALLS! Step 1; Step 2; Step 3; Step 4; Materials List : How to Use the EZ Stair Calculator. If your staircase will have 6 steps and your run is 10 inches (25 cm), for example, the total run is 60 inches (150 cm). Another key element of a stair riser is its width. Thanks, & keep going. Now divide the overall rise by the number of risers: 46 in. Buildings codes have been created to control the minimum and maximum measurements of risers and treads. Stair risers, or the vertical distance between the stair treads, that are too tall are difficult to climb and are a falling or trip hazard. Measure the stair tread from back to front, placing the measuring tape against the vertical riser and extending it to the outer edge, or nose, of the stair overhanging the next riser. Once the stairs are ready, it's best to start by painting the risers. Take that measurement and divide it by a 7" average riser height. The riser element of a set of stairs is generally a plank or board installed vertically at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the stair risers above and below it. For flights between landings the maximum number of riser should be: Utility stairs – 16 risers. First you need to measure the length of your stairs so you can work out the length of your carpet runner. You'll also want to determine where the stairs have to be placed, then measure out a depth for each stair such that a person can safely walk up and down the flight without falling. Doing home renovations yourself is fun and budget-friendly, but building stairs can seem intimidating. The basement ceiling is 10ft. Step 1 – Measure the overall height. It is equal to the number of treads multiplied by the typical Tread Depth [B]. 1 – Measure how tall your riser is first. The guide outlines each product type with standard measurements, … If this applies to your staircase, please fill out either our open-stringer stair or closed-stringer stair measurement worksheet. Having a stable, sturdy set of stairs leading to and from your deck is one of the most important—and complex—parts of the deck building process. It can measure up to 25 ft. and will certainly be … Building codes suggest Step Height [F] be no more than 7 3/4" and the Tread Depth [B] be no less than 10". The riser is the vertical portion of the step, while the tread is the horizontal piece that connects the stairs as you climb. Now … The total run is the total length the stairs travel to reach to the required height. This will help you avoid waste. Measure the height needed before purchasing the precut stringers. You did that, thanks. Save this picture! Some results may not meet code requirements, Try adjusting the Total Rise, the Total Run, or the Number of Steps, and re-click. Handyman. Following this guide is … For instance, if the run is 10 inches, square 10 by multiplying it by itself to get 100. Please refer the figure. Make stair measurements twice and double check your math before cutting any materials. access it from laptop or notebook, it will redirect you back to this page. The Stringer Mount Type refers to how the stringer will be attached to the upper landing or deck frame. Step 2 – Measure Each Stair Tread and Riser. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Stair riser heights and stair tread depths should be within the parameters of the code to avoid any potential trip hazards for inconsistencies. ", "Easy-to-understand instructions, example pictures. Measure Your Stairs. Step 1. The minimum length of a stair tread is 1' so that one can rest their foot comfortably. You will need approximately 4' of carpet to cover the width, to allow the carpet to flow through the posts and wrap around the outside of the stair. Using graphing paper, draw a sketch of the staircase while marking the rise, run, number of steps, width, and length. You just need to measure the tread and riser of one step. Measuring a stringer is an exact process that must adhere to both local building code and common sense for safety. Make sure to record every measurement you make to prevent mistakes while planning and building the stairs. myCarpentry Home. Measure the stair riser height (B) from the bottom to the lip of the step. Great work. Number of Steps (Risers) - The number of risers is not necessarily the same as the number of Steps on Stringer [D]. Step 1 Measure the height from the surface where the stairs will start to the bottom surface that the stairs will connect to. Round the number off … Get accurate measurements no matter the type of staircase using the different types of stairs measuring tools. This is the same as the total width of the staircase as well. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Make sure to calculate in thickness by accounting for anything like carpet, padding, and subflooring. Don’t worry, you don’t need to measure every step, just the tread and riser … This code specification was developed to prevent stairs from being too high if walking upstairs or too low if descending. This will tell you exactly how high the new stairs will reach. Open risers with openings more then 30 inches (762 mm) vertical to the floor should not permit the passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere. Stair runners, usually sold by the running foot or yard, can be 22 to 36 inches wide. Having the right calculations before getting started can make the task a lot easier. It has the same measurements for the tread and riser as a box stair (combined 18"). If dividing the height to the second floor by your preferred height for the riser does not give you a whole number, round your calculation up if the decimal is larger than 0.5 or down if the decimal is smaller than 0.4. General access stairs – 12 risers ", https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/how-to/a2145/4224738/, https://www.calculator.net/stair-calculator.html, https://www.familyhandyman.com/decks/how-to-build-stairs-deck/view-all/, измерить параметры, необходимые для строительства лестницы, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you try to Dry fit the stair nose to the edge of the first tread with the molding nose overlapping the laminate piece on the riser below. You’ve now got the total area of one step. ". You can also alter the Tread Thickness [C] and Tread Depth [B] as needed. and Flush options to compare the results. Here are the steps to cutting your treads and risers. The ceiling height is a very important measure. If the Stringer Mount Type is Standard, the number of risers will be one more than the number of Steps on Stringer [D]. Total Stair Tread or Total Run – It is the total horizontal length between two landing platforms. The IRC also requires 80 in. You will require a piece of carpet that is the width of the stair plus a few extra inches to wrap around … Now, simply divide by your RISE by 7" to determine the max. From this point, you can measure the exact stair height and determine the stringer and skirt length. A stair riser is the back, vertical part of a step. Use long strokes when painting. The tread is the horizontal surface of the step and the riser is the vertical surface of the next step above. Once the stair results have been calculated, you can toggle between the Standard First, you need to add your measurement for the depth of a tread to that of the height of a riser. Total Run [G] - The Total Run is the horizontal length of a stair stringer. Why is a Stair Stringer Important? % of people told us that this article helped them. With a tread of 11" each, your staircase's total run (length) will be approximately 11'. That way, once it's time to build, you can decrease your chances of making mistakes. The Total Rise should be not larger than 151 inches (3835 mm) between landings or floor levels. Stringer Position [H] - The stringer position refers to how far below the finished height of the upper landing the stringer will be attached. References Measure out that distance from the deck to find the exact landing point. Provides a step by step display and a print out option showing the finished stringer with cut dimensions and a materials list. Please refer the figure. ", "Very helpful, easy to understand, exactly what I was looking for. I have a thirteen foot floor, how many steps is that? Approved. ", "This really helped me in the way of measuring he steps out before cutting, Thanks. Cap Stair . I have a space that is 8 feet wide and 8 feet deep for stairs into a basement. This stair would have five treads. For instance, if the total rise is 114 inches (290 cm), subtract 6 feet (1.8 m), which is 72 inches (180 cm), to account for the headroom. Each stair is unique and in order for us to ensure a proper fit; we have created a Stair Measuring Guide that requires a total of eight quick measurements. If you want to fall just fall, keeping your hands out of the way. When measuring total run of a staircase, the length of the tread above the last riser is not included in the measurement. This is going to be the tool that people pull out first when they are planning things out. ... Each tread will measure 29.34 cm * The resulting staircase will have 15 steps of 29.34 cm of tread and 17.33 cm of riser. Last Updated: August 24, 2020 In this example we will take a Floor to Floor level of 2800mm (Total Rise). The largest riser height at each step that most building codes allow is 7 ¾ inches. Halting Walk Stair Designs. Since the Tread Depth [B] is a constant, when using the Automatic Stair Calculator, the Total Run [G] will vary when you toggle between the two mount options. Measure the stair depth (C) from around the lip to the top of the riser. Rise – It is the vertical height between the risers. Stair Calculations by Direct Layout on the Stringer. 4. Expert Interview. Then, find the square root of 149, which is 12.206, meaning the length of each stringer will be 12.2 inches. This article has been viewed 619,988 times. What measurements do you need to build stairs? Stair calculations: how to calculate custom stair tread & risers based on stair rise & run measurements. ", "It saved me loads of money by being able enough to do this job myself, a big thank you! Assign each graphing paper square a specific measurement so you can refer to the sketch while planning and building your steps. Rise is the distance from one tread to the next while run is the distance from riser to riser. 3 – Cut the paper but leave about 1/2 inch extra just in case you are off or need extra to make the design look good. Risers - the Step Height [F] is the typical height of each step. Elevation Angle = Angle of stairs from horizontal in degrees. Next, divide the rise by the number of stairs to find the rise of each individual stair. This is the distance from the ground to the point of termination of your staircase. Staircase riser height translates to the distance you move your foot either up or down from one step to an adjacent step. Because they can differ, you want to measure and cut each tread and riser individually. Determine the overall height of the stairs. Handy NYC based in New York City, New York. 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