How to Calculate the Balusters for a Stair Rail

If you want to install balusters yourself on a stair rail, you must first learn how to calculate the measurements for even spacing. This way, you end up with a result that would tell you how many balusters you need and how far apart to space them from each other. The even spacing makes the balusters look professional and aesthetically pleasant to the observer's eye.

Calculator
Pen
Paper

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length of your rail from one end to the other.
- 2
  Measure the width of one baluster you plan to use.
- 3
  Add one baluster width to the measurement of your rail and record it as "TL."
- 4
  Get the on-center spacing requirement for your baluster and add it to one baluster width. Call this number "OC."
- 5
  Divide "TL" by "OC." If you have a rail length of 200 inches and a baluster width of 2 inches, "TL" ends up being 204. If you have an on-center spacing requirement of 4 inches, "OC" becomes 6. Given these variables, you should end up with 34 as your final result. The resulting number indicates how many balusters you need to install on your rail. Call this number "TB."
- 6
  Multiply "TB" by the width of a baluster and subtract this number from "TL." As per the previous example, you end up with 204 - (34 * 2) = 136. Divide the result by "TB + 1," giving you the space you must place between each baluster.

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