StatGardenREF. DESK
Calculators/Home & build/Stair rise & run
Home & build

Stair rise & run calculator

Step count, riser height and comfort check for a straight staircase.

What this calculator does

Stair rise & run works out step count, riser height and comfort check for a straight staircase. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.

The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.

The formula

FormulaSteps = round(total rise / target riser); comfort: 60 ≤ 2×riser + tread ≤ 65 cm

The inputs explained

FieldWhat to enter
Total floor-to-floor rise (cm)A number, measured in cm. Starts at 260.
Target riser height (cm)A number, measured in cm. Starts at 18.
Tread depth (cm)A number, measured in cm. Starts at 27.

Worked examples

Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.

How the answer changes with total floor-to-floor rise

Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while total floor-to-floor rise varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.

How the answer changes with total floor-to-floor rise
Total floor-to-floor rise (cm)Number of stepsActual riser heightTotal run
130718.57 cm162.0 cm
1951117.73 cm270.0 cm
2601418.57 cm351.0 cm
3902217.73 cm567.0 cm
5202917.93 cm756.0 cm
7804318.14 cm1,134.0 cm