Riser height
The vertical part of a step that determines the effort of each step up. The optimal standard for a home is 15–18 cm.
01 /Riser height standards
The riser height (the vertical part of a step) determines the effort a person spends on each step up. The ideal standard for a home is 15–18 cm (150–180 mm).
- 🛌 12–14 cm. A gentle step. Used for outdoor stairs, ramps, or homes with elderly residents.
- 🏡 15–18 cm. The optimal range. Provides maximum comfort and a natural biomechanical climb.
- 📐 19–20 cm. The acceptable maximum for living areas when space is very tight. The climb becomes tiring.
- 🪜 Above 21 cm. A steep step. Used only for auxiliary stairs (attic, basement).
02 /Important rules
All risers along a single staircase must be exactly the same height (the permissible deviation is no more than 5 mm). Muscle memory adapts to the first step, so any difference in height along the flight leads to frequent stumbles and injuries.
To calculate the exact step parameters, specify:
- The clear floor-to-floor height between the two storeys.
- How much floor space (in length) is allocated for installing the staircase.