How to use the Staircase Steps, Riser and Tread Calculator
- 1. Enter the floor heightFloor-to-floor height, maximum riser and the tread you want.
- 2. Choose the typeDog-legged with a mid-landing or a straight single flight, with flight width.
- 3. Get the planRisers, treads per flight, going, hall size, slope and concrete volume.
How a staircase is planned
Number of risers N = floor height ÷ maximum riser, rounded up. The actual riser is the floor height ÷ N. In each flight, treads = risers − 1, because the last step lands on the landing or floor. The going of a flight is the number of treads × tread width.
Comfort checks used in textbooks: 2R + T between 550 and 700 mm (often 600–640), slope between 25° and 40°. NBC values commonly quoted are a riser of up to 190 mm with a tread of at least 250 mm for houses, and 150 mm riser with 300 mm tread for other buildings. Check the current code for your building type.
Worked example and site tips
Floor height 3000 mm, maximum riser 150 mm, tread 300 mm, dog-legged: N = 20 risers of 150 mm, 10 risers per flight, 9 treads per flight. Going = 9 × 300 = 2700 mm. With a 1000 mm landing the staircase hall is 3.7 m long and 2 × 1000 + 100 = 2.1 m wide. 2R + T = 600 mm, slope 26.6°.
- Keep every riser the same height. Uneven steps cause trips.
- Allow for floor finish: the first and last riser change when finish thickness differs.
- Structural design of the waist slab (span, steel, deflection) must follow IS 456.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the number of steps?
Divide the floor-to-floor height by the maximum riser and round up. That gives the number of risers. Treads are one less than risers in each flight.
What is a good riser and tread for a house?
Many designers use a riser of 150–175 mm with a tread of 250–300 mm. NBC is commonly quoted as 190 mm maximum riser and 250 mm minimum tread for residential buildings; check the current code.
What is the 2R + T rule?
Twice the riser plus the tread should be about 550–700 mm (often 600–640 mm). It keeps the step length close to a normal walking stride.
Is this calculator free?
Yes. You fill a short form once to see your result, and other Uncodemy tools then open without the form. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing you type is uploaded.