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Stair headroom calculator

Check headroom clearance and the floor-opening length you need so the stair maintains the code minimum all the way up.

Stair headroom calculator
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Headroom section
Min headroom
Required opening
Angle
Steps

Headroom and the floor opening

Headroom is the vertical clearance measured from the tread nosing line. It is most often pinched at the floor opening at the top of the stair. This calculator gives the code minimum and the opening length needed so a climber clears the floor edge above all the way up.

required opening = (floor assembly + min headroom) / tan(angle)

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum stair headroom?

The IRC requires at least 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches) measured vertically from the tread nosing line, at every point along the stair.

How is stair headroom measured?

Vertically, from a line connecting the tread nosings up to the ceiling or floor structure above. Inspectors check it along the whole flight, not just the ends.

How do I fix insufficient headroom?

Lengthen the floor opening, move the stair start point, or reduce the pitch so it reaches the opening sooner. Headroom is set by framing, so fix it at design stage.