How to Measure Steps for Stair Stringers

Stringers are the sides of a staircase that support the treads and the risers. A tread is the part of a stair that you step on, and the riser fills the distance up to the next step. Proper measurements are needed to determine the number of treads and risers that will be needed for the stringers.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Calculator
• Pencil and paper

Instructions

1. Place the tape measure on the top of the floor or decking, and measure the distance to the ground. This measurement will give you the total rise for the staircase.

2. Divide this number by the standard height of a riser, to determine the number of risers that will be needed for the staircase. The standard height for a riser is 6 ¾" . Round up when calculating the number of risers.

3. Determine the height for the risers by dividing the total rise of the staircase by the number of risers.

4. Determine how many treads will be needed for the staircase. The number of treads depends on where the top tread is located. It can be placed level with the top floor or below it. Treads that are placed level with the top floor with have the same number of treads and risers. When the top tread is placed below the level of the floor, subtract 1 from the number of risers to get the number of treads.

5. Place the tape measure on the top of the floor or decking and measure the distance to where the staircase will end on the ground. This will give you the total run for the staircase.

6. Divide the total run by the number of treads to determine the tread run.

7. Transfer the tread and riser measurements to a 2x12 piece of lumber to cut out the stringer.

Tips & Warnings

• A tread run is typically 10".

References

• Pencil & Paper Stringer Layout
• Designing Stairs and Laying Out Stair Stringers