Stair Calculator — Rise, Run & Stringer Length

FREE

Lay out a straight stair fast. Enter total rise, target riser height, tread depth, and a stair opening length for headroom. The calculator adjusts risers to divide evenly and flags obvious IRC / IBC issues.

Straight stair inputs

Code checks shown here only cover riser height, tread depth, and headroom. Landings, guards, handrails, and jurisdiction-specific rules still matter.

Number of risers
0
Actual riser height
0 in
Total run
0 in
Stringer length
0 in
Headroom clearance
0 in
Number of treads
0

All calculations happen in your browser. Use these numbers as a fast estimating aid, then verify measurements, local code, supplier pricing, and site-specific conditions before ordering materials or sending a final bid.

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Frequently asked questions

Why does the actual riser height change?

Because total rise must be divided evenly by a whole number of risers. The tool rounds to a workable riser count and then shows the adjusted height.

Why do you ask for stair opening length?

Headroom depends on how much horizontal opening exists above the stair. Without that dimension, headroom cannot be checked realistically.

Is this a permit-ready stair design?

No. It is a layout helper. Local code, guard requirements, landings, and structural details still need to be confirmed.

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Take it further

Use this calculator to pressure-test your numbers, then move the real job into editable templates for estimating, logs, tracking, and client paperwork.

Construction Inspection Log →Construction Punch List →
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