The length of handrail depends on the size of the stairs, including the rise and the run of each step, shape, wood species, ending style as well as any landings or turns. As per general guideline, to calculate the handrail length for stairs, count the number of steps on your staircase and multiply by 13 inches. Or to figure out the length of handrail for stairs, you typically measure along the incline of the stairs.
A general rule of thumb is to multiply the number of steps (stairs) on stairway by the incline length of one step and add a little extra for any turns or landings.
For example, to calculate the length of handrail for 10 stairs with a run of 11 inches and a rise of 7 inches, and a total of 10 steps, we can use the Pythagorean theorem to find the length of the handrail along the incline.
- Calculate the length of each step’s diagonal:using the Pythagorean theorem: diagonal = √(rise)2 + (run)2 = √7^2 + 11^2 = √121 + 49 = √170 = 13 inches.
- Multiply the length of diagonal by the number of steps (stairs): Total handrail length = diagonal × number of steps, such as 13″×10 = 130 inches or (10 feet and 10 inches).
In a stairway, a handrail is a railing that runs along one or both sides of a staircase, providing support and stability for individuals ascending or descending the stairs. Handrails are crucial for safety, helping people maintain balance and preventing falls.
They are typically mounted at a consistent height above the stair treads, allowing users to grasp them comfortably as they move up or down the stairs. Handrails can be made from various materials such as wood, metal, or plastic, and they are often accompanied by a separate railing known as a guardrail, which serves to prevent falls from the open side of the staircase.
The standard height of a handrail is typically between 34 inches (86 cm) and 38 inches (97 cm) above the floor or above the nosing line or the walking surface to the top surface of the handrail. This range is designed to provide adequate support and safety for individuals using stairs.
How to figure out stair railing length
To figure out the length of a stair railing, you’ll need to count the number of steps on the staircase and multiply that by 13 inches (if run of 11 inches and a rise of 7 inches). This results in the total length of the stairs along the handrail path.
Here’s are general guideline for handrail length for 10, 12, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 15 stairs:
- The length of handrail for 10 stairs should be 130 inches (10 feet and 10 inches) long. The total length of the handrail for a staircase with 10 steps = 13″ × 10 = 130 inches. Therefore, you need a 10 feet and 10 inches long handrail for 10 stairs (steps).
- The length of handrail for 8 stairs should be 104 inches (8 feet and 8 inches) long. The total length of the handrail for a staircase with 8 steps = 13″ × 8 = 104 inches. Therefore, you need a 8 feet and 8 inches long handrail for 8 stairs (steps).
- The length of handrail for 9 stairs should be 117 inches (9 feet and 9 inches) long. The total length of the handrail for a staircase with 9 steps = 13″ × 9 = 117 inches. Therefore, you need a 9 feet and 9 inches long handrail for 9 stairs (steps).
- The length of handrail for 12 stairs should be 156 inches (11 feet and 0 inches) long. The total length of the handrail for a staircase with 12 steps = 13″ × 12 = 156 inches. Therefore, you need a 11 feet and 0 inches long handrail for 12 stairs (steps).
- The length of handrail for 13 stairs should be 169 inches (14 feet and 1 inch) long. The total length of the handrail for a staircase with 13 steps = 13″ × 13 = 169 inches. Therefore, you need a 14 feet and 1 inch long handrail for 13 stairs (steps).
- The length of handrail for 15 stairs should be 195 inches (16 feet and 3 inches) long. The total length of the handrail for a staircase with 15 steps = 13″ × 15 = 195 inches. Therefore, you need a 16 feet and 3 inches long handrail for 15 stairs (steps).
Here’s are table for length of handrail length for 10, 12, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 15 stairs:
| Number of Stairs | Handrail length |
| 8 stairs | 104 inches long |
| 9 stairs | 117 inches long |
| 10 stairs | 130 inches long |
| 12 stairs | 156 inches long |
| 13 stairs | 169 inches long |
| 15 stairs | 195 inches long |
Conclusions:-
The length of the handrail is typically about 130 inches long for 10 stairs, 104 inches long handrail for 8 stairs, 117 inches long handrail for 9 stairs, 156 inches long handrail for 12 stairs, 169 inches long handrail for 13 stairs, and 195 inches long handrail for 15 stairs.