Calculate Number of Risers and Treads
From How to Measure Stair Rise and Run · Step 4 of 6 · Video by HouseImprovements
Showing 8:59–9:54 of the source video. Watch the full video with every moment.
What happens in this clip
With a total rise of 104 inches, the speaker estimates 14 risers. Dividing 104 by 14 yields approximately 7.43 inches per riser (or 7 7/16 inches), which falls within his local code's acceptable range (5 3/4 to 8 inches). For a staircase, the number of treads is always one less than the number of risers, meaning there will be 13 treads. He notes that if the initial estimation of risers results in an individual riser height outside the acceptable range, the number of risers should be adjusted (e.g., adding or removing one) and the calculation repeated.
Goal: Using the total rise, calculate the optimal number of risers and corresponding treads, ensuring individual riser heights are within code and comfortable limits.
What's used
Tools
- Calculator
About the full video
This video provides a detailed guide on planning and dimensioning a staircase, focusing on understanding building codes, measuring key components like total rise, total run, headroom, and selecting appropriate materials. It covers essential terminology, calculation methods, and practical considerations for ensuring a safe and compliant staircase installation.
What's said in this clip
head room is going to be all right okay so I've already worked out the math so we had our total rise of 104 in so 104 divided by 14 I just took a rough guess I originally divided it by 133 but that gave me too big of a rise so then I went up one more Riser so 14 was my guess 104 divided by 14 risers gives me 7.43 in which is 7 and 7 16 well that falls in our in our comfort zone for what our Riser Heights can be and it's it's pretty comfortable step honestly so we're going to use 7 and 716 and 14 risers now I already said we're we always end up with one less tread than we do Riser so that means we're going to have 13 Treads the tread material I have is 11
Automatically transcribed from the source video.
Step 4 of 6: Determine Number of Treads (Steps)
For any staircase, the number of horizontal treads (the surfaces you step on) will always be one less than the number of vertical risers. If you determined you need 13 risers, you will need 12 treads.
Every video in How to Measure Stair Rise and Run
Step 1: Determine Total Rise
- 0:04–0:30 Measure Total Rise
- 2:54–4:34 Determine the Total Rise
- 0:54–1:25 Calculate Final Total Rise
Step 2: Calculate Ideal Riser Height
- 0:29–1:07 Calculate Rise and Run
- 4:32–5:10 Calculate Individual Riser Height
- 0:28–1:03 Calculate Approximate Number of Risers
Step 3: Determine Actual Riser Height
- 4:32–5:10 Calculate Individual Riser Height
- 1:03–1:44 Calculate Riser Height (Option 1)
- 0:28–1:03 Calculate Approximate Number of Risers
Step 4: Determine Number of Treads (Steps)
- 0:54–1:13 Determine Number of Treads
- 3:54–5:04 Calculate the Number of Treads and Understand the Logic
- 8:59–9:54 Calculate Number of Risers and Treads (this video)
Step 5: Measure Total Run
- 1:31–2:57 Calculate Unit Run and Total Run
- 1:13–1:29 Calculate Total Run
- 9:54–10:28 Determine Tread Run and Total Run
Step 6: Calculate Actual Tread Run
- 0:29–1:07 Calculate Rise and Run
- 1:31–2:57 Calculate Unit Run and Total Run
- 10:55–11:31 Calculate Overall Run (Treads)
How to Measure Stair Rise and Run
This project outlines the process for accurately measuring the rise and run of stairs, a critical step in stair construction, renovation, or repair.
Read the full guide Browse all guides
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