Nederlands | English | Deutsch | Türkçe

Project Sports

Questions and answers about sports

How long should handrails be?

3 min read

Asked by: Mike Sisco

Handrail height is the height of the handrail in relation to the stairs. Handrail height on the stairs should be no less than 34 inches and no greater than 38 inches.

What is the proper height for a handrail and How Is It measured?

Handrails should be no less than 34 inches above the stair or ramp and no more than 38 inches above. If you are working with alternating tread devices or ship ladders, you should measure above the tread nosings. The handrail should be between 30-34 inches above.

How is handrail length measured?

Measuring Handrail Length



The length of the sloped section of handrail is measured on a line running along the nosings of all steps, starting at the nosing of the top landing and running to the floor at the lower end.

What is the standard handrail?

The top rail must be at least 42 inches in height (§1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B)) and the handrail must be 30 to 38 inches in height (§1910.29(f)(1)(i)) (as measured at the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the rail).

How do you calculate handrails?

5 Easy Steps For Measuring

  1. Step 1 – Measure the overall height. …
  2. Step 2 – Measure the overall length. …
  3. Step 3 – Length of nosing. …
  4. Step 4 – Depth of finished tread. …
  5. Step 5 – Height of finished tread.


Where should a handrail start and stop?

Handrail height on the stairs should be no less than 34 inches and no greater than 38 inches. The way this is measured is to begin at the leading edge of the stair nosing and run an imaginary vertical line upward until it reaches the top of the railing.

What height should a handrail be on stairs?

between 900mm and 1000mm

You should fit a handrail at a height between 900mm and 1000mm from the pitch line of the stairs, or the floor for landings. This is approximately 35.4–39 inches. Staircases require at least one handrail: If the stairs are less than 1m wide: provide a handrail on one or both sides.

Which side should handrail be on stairs?

As long as the handrail extends the whole length of the steps, it can be on either side of the stairs. If you are installing new steps and want to include a handrail, use 1-inch stock for the rails and bolts to attach them to the step posts. The choice between a left-hand and right-hand staircase is up to you.

How do you measure for an outdoor handrail?


From the front top of the projected thread. So if it is vertical the riser goes all the way up straight then you can measure from this point here if you have a nosy.

How do you cut the end of a handrail?

Slide it down line up my edge. And make a cut. Okay now we're ready to cut the other end i want to change my saw. And i want to mark. My end transfer that to the outside. Slide it to you.

How far apart should handrail brackets be?

36 to 48 inches apart

We recommend spacing the Brackets 36 to 48 inches apart. In most cases, it is desirable to transition the Handrail past the last stair with a horizontal rail of 6 to 12 inches. Some local codes require this extension be 12 inches. Contact your local authorities to confirm requirements.

How far should a handrail extend?

Stair railings and handrails shall be continuous the full length of the stairs and, except for private stairways, at least one handrail or stair railing shall extend in the direction of the stair run not less than 12 inches beyond the top riser nor less than 12 inches beyond the bottom riser.

How many brackets do I need for a 12 foot handrail?

Determine how many brackets you need. You need one at the top and one at the bottom. You also need additional brackets, spaced no more than 4 feet apart in the middle of the handrail to provide additional support.