How to Figure out the Rise & Tread for a Staircase

Local building codes cover the design and construction of staircases, including rise and tread measurements. The rise is the vertical distance between the front edge of two treads. The tread is the part of the stair where you place your foot. Uniform measurements allows users to maintain their gait and balance on the staircase. Many local governments use the International Residential Code, which is a model and uniform building codes, while other jurisdictions develop their own codes. After determining the appropriate code for the staircase, whether interior or exterior, a standard calculation method is used.

Measuring tape
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the total rise, which is the vertical distance of the space for the staircase from floor to floor or from the starting point that will be the bottom of the staircase to the top of the landing. A sample measurement for the total rise is 8 feet 10 ¾ inches.
- 2
  Convert the measurement into inches only. The total rise height of 8 feet 10 ¾ inches converts to 106 3/4 inches (or 106.75 inches).
- 3
  Divide 106.75 by 7.5, which is considered an ideal rise height, to determine how many steps you will need in your staircase. For instance, 7.5 divided into 106.75 equals 14.233. Drop the .233 since a partial step is inappropriate and continue with 14 equal increments or steps.
- 4
  Divide the total rise by 14, as in 106.75 divided by 14 equals 7 5/8 or 7.625. Drop one step to perform the calculations for the treads. The top of the landing is the final step, which requires omitting the 14th rise.
- 5
  Measure the run, which is the distance from the wall that supports the upper landing extending out to the point at which the staircase begins. For instance, a run of 11 feet, 2 7/8 inches converts to 134.875 inches.
- 6
  Divide 134.875 inches by 13 steps, which results in 10 3/8 inches or 10.375 inches for each stair tread.

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