How to Measure a Staircase

Measure Length & Rise

• 1

  Lay a plank of wood on the top staircase landing. Slide the wood so that it projects over the edge slightly. Use your tape measure to gauge the distance between the wooden plank and the floor below.

• 2

  Divide the height of the gap between your upper landing and the floor below by the height you wish each step of the staircase to be. Standard step height is around 7 inches. The calculated result will tell you how many steps your staircase will have. For example, if the gap height is 7 feet and the steps are 7 inches in height, you will have to build 12 steps to bridge the gap.

• 3

  Decide on a step depth. The standard is around 10 inches. Multiply the amount of steps (12) you intend to build by 10 inches. The result (120 inches or 10 feet) will tell you how long the staircase will be.

Measure for Carpeting

• 4

  Place the end of your tape measure in the corner between the top or tread of one step and the riser or upright portion of the step above it. Stretch the tape measure across the tread and down the riser of the step beneath it.

• 5

  Measure the distance from the corner where the end of your tape measure sits to its equal corner on the step below. Add 1 inch to the measurement.

• 6

  Multiply the result by the number of stairs in your staircase. Do not include the highest riser, which leads into the upper landing, in your calculation. Divide the result by 36 to determine the number of yards of carpet you will need to install a staircase runner. Carpet runners come in two standard widths: 27 and 32 inches. Choose the size appropriate to your staircase width. If you plan on carpeting the upper landing as well, include the top-step riser and the length of the landing in your final figure.

Measure for Side Rail

• 7

  Check with your local building codes and guidelines to determine the required length, height and shape of a staircase handrail.

• 8

  Measure the distance between the beginning of the upper landing where it meets the staircase to the beginning of the lower landing where it meets the staircase using your tape measure. Place one end of your tape measure at the lip of the top landing and stretch it down along the edge of the steps to the floor at the bottom landing to make an accurate measurement.

• 9

  Add 2 feet to the total measurement to find the appropriate length of handrail for your staircase.