Stair Calculator: Design Perfect Stairs with Diagram & Landing
The Stair Calculator on GCalculate.com is a free, intuitive tool crafted for homeowners, contractors, architects, and DIY enthusiasts to design safe, code-compliant staircases for homes, decks, or commercial spaces. By entering the total rise (vertical height between floors) and preferred step dimensions, users can calculate essential measurements like riser height, tread depth, number of steps, stringer length, and stair angle. Supporting both imperial (inches) and metric (millimeters) units, it’s versatile for global use and accommodates various staircase types, including straight, L-shaped, or outdoor stairs.
Building stairs that are safe, comfortable, and code-compliant? A Stair Calculator is your essential DIY or pro tool for calculating rise, run, tread depth, stringer length, and total materials—complete with diagram, landing, and 3D preview. In 2025, with building codes in Australia (AS 1657), UK (Building Regs Part K), and NZ (NZBC F4) requiring 150-190 mm risers and 240-355 mm treads, calculators on Gcalculate.com deliver instant metric/imperial results for deck stairs, concrete, spiral, stringers, and even carpet or StairMaster calories. Whether you’re a carpenter in Sydney using the MyCarpentry stair calculator, a homeowner in London adding a landing turn, or a fitness buff tracking StairMaster calories, this guide covers every stair calculator type—Australia, UK, NZ, metric, app, EZ, 3D, rise/run, angle, riser, and tread—with diagrams and real examples. Also check out the Roof Replacement Cost Calculator.
How Does a Stair Calculator Work?
A Stair Calculator uses your total floor height, desired step height (rise), tread depth (run), and stair width to compute:
- Number of steps
- Riser height
- Tread depth
- Stringer length
- Stair angle (ideal 30°–37°)
- Total run (horizontal length)
- Diagram (2D/3D)
- Landing (if needed)
Core Formulas:
- Riser Height = Total Height ÷ Number of Risers
- Tread Depth = Total Run ÷ Number of Treads
- Stringer Length = √(Total Rise² + Total Run²)
- Angle = atan(Rise / Run) × (180/π)
Steps:
- Enter total height (e.g., 2800 mm floor-to-floor).
- Choose riser height (150–190 mm AUS/NZ, 150–220 mm UK).
- Add landing (yes/no, turn type).
- Select units (metric or imperial).
- Output: Diagram, material list, cut angles.
Pro Tip: Ideal step = 170–180 mm rise + 250–300 mm tread = ~630 mm (2R + G rule).
Stair Calculator Types & Features
| Type |
Best For |
Key Features |
| Stair Calculator with Diagram |
All users |
2D/3D visual, printable plans |
| Stair Calculator with Landing |
Multi-level, L/U-turns |
Auto-calculates landing size |
| Stair Calculator Australia |
AS 1657 compliance |
150–190 mm rise, 240–355 mm tread |
| Deck Stair Calculator |
Outdoor decks |
Pressure-treated timber, ground contact |
| Stair Calculator UK |
Part K Regs |
150–220 mm rise, 220+ mm tread |
| Stair Calculator Metric |
NZ, AUS, EU |
mm precision, NZBC F4 |
| Stair Calculator NZ |
Residential/commercial |
150–190 mm rise, 280+ mm tread |
| EZ Stair Calculator |
Beginners |
Simple inputs, instant results |
| MyCarpentry Stair Calculator |
Carpenters |
Stringer layout, birdsmouth cuts |
| 3D Stair Calculator |
Architects |
Full 3D model, exportable |
| Concrete Stair Calculator |
Permanent builds |
Volume, rebar, formwork |
| Spiral Stair Calculator |
Space-saving |
Center pole, wedge treads |
| Carpet Stair Calculator |
Renovations |
Carpet length, padding, nosing |
| Stringer Stair Calculator |
Framing |
Cut list, angle, length |
| Stair Angle Calculator |
Safety check |
20°–45° (ideal 30°–37°) |
| Stair Riser / Tread Calculator |
Compliance |
Code checker (AUS/UK/NZ) |
Regional Stair Code Comparison
| Region |
Min Riser |
Max Riser |
Min Tread |
Max Angle |
Landing |
| Australia (AS 1657) |
150 mm |
190 mm |
240 mm |
45° |
1 per 18 risers |
| UK (Part K) |
150 mm |
220 mm |
220 mm |
42° |
1 per 16 risers |
| New Zealand (NZBC F4) |
150 mm |
190 mm |
280 mm |
37° |
1 per 18 risers |
| USA (IRC) |
4″ (102 mm) |
7.75″ (197 mm) |
10″ (254 mm) |
42° |
1 per 12 risers |
Stair Calculator Examples with Diagram
Example 1: Deck Stairs (Australia)
- Total Height: 1200 mm
- Desired Riser: 180 mm
- Tread Depth: 280 mm
- Landing: No
Results:
- Steps: 7 risers, 6 treads
- Riser: 171.4 mm
- Tread: 280 mm
- Total Run: 1680 mm
- Stringer Length: 2070 mm
- Angle: 36.2°
- Diagram: View 2D Layout
┌──────┐
│ │ ← Tread 280 mm
└──────┘
/ ← Riser 171 mm
/
/______
Example 2: Indoor Stairs with Landing Turn (UK)
- Total Height: 2700 mm
- Landing at: 1350 mm (halfway)
- Turn: 90° left
- Riser: 170 mm
Results:
- 16 risers, 15 treads
- 2 flights of 8 steps
- Landing: 1000 x 1000 mm
- Total Run: 3800 mm
- 3D Diagram: Interactive Preview
Example 3: Spiral Stair (NZ)
- Floor Height: 3000 mm
- Diameter: 1800 mm
- Center Pole: 150 mm
Results:
- 14 steps
- Riser: 214 mm (slightly high – adjust)
- Tread: 600 mm at outer edge
- Angle: 28° per step
- 3D Model: Rotate View
Advanced Calculators
Stair Calculator
- Outputs stringer layout with birdsmouth cuts
- Printable PDF
- Imperial/metric toggle
EZ Stair Calculator
- 3 inputs: height, tread, width
- Instant stringer length
Concrete Stair Calculator
- Volume: 2.1 m³
- Rebar: 12 mm @ 200 ctrs
- Formwork: 18 m²
Carpet Stair Calculator
- 4.2 m carpet length
- 15 nosings
- 2.5 m² padding
StairMaster Calorie Calculator
- 70 kg person, 10 min: 120 kcal
- Formula: kcal = 0.17 × MET × weight × time
Calculate Your Stairs Now
A Stair Calculator is your 2025 blueprint for perfect stairs—whether deck, concrete, spiral, or with landing turn. On Gcalculate.com, get diagrams, stringer cuts, and code compliance for Australia, UK, or NZ in seconds. From MyCarpentry layouts to 3D models, EZ simplicity to StairMaster calorie tracking, design safe, beautiful stairs that last.
Try it now: Gcalculate.com/stair-calculator
FAQs
How Does a Stair Calculator with Diagram Work?
Enter height (2800 mm), riser (180 mm), and landing on Gcalculate.com → get 2D/3D diagram, stringer length, and cut angles.
What Are Australian Stair Regulations?
AS 1657: 150–190 mm rise, 240–355 mm tread, max 18 risers before landing.
Can I Calculate Deck Stairs?
Yes—deck stair calculator adds ground clearance, footing depth, and treated timber specs.
How to Add a Landing Turn?
Select “L-Shape” or “U-Turn” → auto-calculates 1000 x 1000 mm landing.
Is There a 3D Stair Calculator?
Yes—3D stair calculator lets you rotate, zoom, and export to SketchUp.
What’s the Ideal Stair Angle?
30°–37° – Comfortable and safe. Over 42° = ladder.
How to Calculate Concrete Stairs?
Input dimensions → get volume (m³), rebar, formwork area.