Staircase Calculator
Enter the floor height to instantly see if you'll hit your head and whether it meets code
For reference only - click to expand usage notes
- This calculator is for reference only and does not constitute professional architectural advice
- Actual construction should be performed by licensed architects/contractors and comply with local building codes
- Headroom calculations should be verified with on-site measurements
Input Parameters
Calculation Results
Headroom Check
Ergonomic Rating
Code Compliance
Stair Side View
Dimension Analysis
Building Code Reference
Next, plan your renovation
About Staircase Calculator
What is Staircase Calculation?
Staircase calculation is fundamental to building design, requiring determination of the number of steps, rise height, and run depth based on floor height, available space, and user characteristics. Proper stair design ensures both safety and a comfortable climbing experience.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter floor height (distance from lower floor to upper floor)
- Select calculation mode (auto, fixed run, or fixed total length)
- Enter floor opening length (⭐ KEY parameter affecting headroom)
- Select the applicable building code
- Review the results, especially the headroom check
- Adjust the design as needed to ensure code compliance
Calculation Formulas
Stride Rule (Blondel Formula)
2R + G = 600~650mm (ideal 620mm), where R is rise and G is run. This formula was developed by 17th-century French architect François Blondel based on ergonomic principles.
Headroom Calculation
Headroom = Floor Height - Slab Thickness - (Steps Under Slab × Rise), where steps under slab is determined by opening length and run depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why is headroom check so important?
Insufficient headroom is the most common stair design mistake! Many focus only on rise and run while ignoring that heads may hit the upper floor slab midway up the stairs. This calculator emphasizes multi-point headroom checks to help you avoid this critical error.
Q2: What is the 2R+G stride rule?
The stride rule is the golden formula for stair comfort. 2R+G should be 600-650mm; too small means stairs are too flat (run too large), too large means stairs are too steep (rise too high). 620mm is considered optimal.
Q3: What's different in Elderly/Children mode?
Elderly/Children mode uses more conservative parameters: rise ≤15cm, run ≥30cm, stride value 580mm, and validates compliance against stricter thresholds, making stairs gentler and safer.
