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Sqratch Tools / Structural & Shell / Staircase Calculator

Staircase Calculator

Enter the floor-to-floor height and your preferred riser — get the whole number of equal risers, the exact riser that results, treads, total run and the Blondel comfort value.

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Basis & Assumptions

  • Geometry only: the flight is divided into equal whole risers closest to your preferred riser; a straight flight has one fewer tread than risers.
  • Blondel's step formula (2 × riser + tread) is a centuries-old comfort convention, not a code requirement.
  • Maximum riser, minimum tread and headroom limits are set by NBC 2016 and local bye-laws per building type — verify against the applicable clause.

Reference values for accessible design live in the Universal Design library.

For quick design checks and study — not a substitute for your local Development Control Regulations, NBC provisions, or a licensed professional's judgement. Always verify against the bye-laws that apply to your site.