---
title: Stair Regulations UK: Rise, Going, Headroom + Calculator
url: https://www.koyda.com/guides/stair-regulations/
description: Approved Document K stair rules for England: rise, going, 2R+G, pitch, headroom, widths and landings by stair type, with a free rise and going calculator.
last_modified: 2026-10-11
publisher: Koyda Ltd, Units 27–29 Jesmor Farm, St Piers Lane, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PN. 07753 213617, joe@koyda.com
---

Technical guide

# Stair Regulations: Rise, Going and Headroom

Rise, going, pitch, headroom and landing rules for stairs in England, from Approved Document K and Approved Document M, with notes for Wales and Scotland and a rise and going calculator.

Last reviewed 11 October 2026 · Koyda Ltd

Quick answer

In England, a private stair in a house can have a rise of 150 to 220mm and a going of 220 to 300mm, with a pitch of no more than 42 degrees. Utility stairs allow a 150 to 190mm rise and general access stairs 150 to 170mm, both with a 250 to 400mm going. For every stair, 2R + G must be 550 to 700mm and headroom at least 2.0m.

Cite this: Koyda Ltd, “Stair Regulations: Rise, Going and Headroom”, https://www.koyda.com/guides/stair-regulations/, reviewed 11 October 2026.

## Quick reference

| Item | Private stair | Utility stair | General access stair | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rise | 150–220mm | 150–190mm | 150–170mm | ADK Table 1.1 |
| Going | 220–300mm | 250–400mm | 250–400mm | ADK Table 1.1 |
| 2R + G | 550–700mm | 550–700mm | 550–700mm | ADK Table 1.1 note |
| Maximum pitch | 42° | Not stated (limits give about 37°) | Not stated (limits give about 34°) | ADK Table 1.1 note |
| Risers per flight | No limit; turn 30° after 36 in a row | 16 max | 12 max (16 in small premises) | ADK 1.17–1.18 |
| Headroom | 2.0m (loft conversion: 1.9m at centre, 1.8m at side) | 2.0m | 2.0m | ADK 1.11–1.13 |
| Minimum width | Not set by ADK (see ADB for escape) | 1200mm between walls, 1000mm between handrails | 1200mm between walls, 1000mm between handrails | ADK 1.15–1.16 |
| Open risers | Allowed: 16mm tread overlap, 100mm sphere must not pass | Not allowed | Not allowed | ADK 1.6, 1.9 |
| Landings | Top and bottom, as wide and long as the flight | Same, 1200mm clear length | Same, 1200mm clear length | ADK 1.20, 1.23 |

## Key points

* Rise and going limits depend on whether the stair is private, utility or general access.
* 2R + G must be 550 to 700mm for every category; private stairs are limited to a 42° pitch.
* Headroom is 2.0m, or 1.9m at the centre and 1.8m at the side in a loft conversion.
* Open risers are only allowed in dwellings, with a 16mm overlap and no 100mm gaps.

Terms explained in the [A–Z glossary](https://www.koyda.com/guides/glossary/).

Download

[Quick reference PDF ↓](https://www.koyda.com/downloads/koyda-stair-regulations-quick-reference.pdf)

Two-page summary of the figures on this page, with sources. Free to share with credit to Koyda Ltd.

## Stair categories

Approved Document K sets limits by how a stair is used, not by the building it is in.

| Category | Meaning in ADK | Typical examples |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Private stair | Used for only one dwelling | Stairs inside a house or flat |
| Utility stair | Used for escape, maintenance access, or not as the usual route between levels | Escape stairs, plant room access |
| General access stair | Used by all users of a building every day | Offices, shops, common stairs in blocks of flats |
| Assembly (stepped gangways) | Gangways between fixed seating | Theatres, stadia, lecture rooms |

## Rise and going calculator

Enter the floor-to-floor height. The calculator finds the fewest equal risers that comply, suggests a going, and checks the result against every category.

Rise and going calculatormm

The calculator needs JavaScript. Divide the floor-to-floor height by the maximum rise and round up to get the number of risers, then use the table above.

Stair rise and going check

WWW.KOYDA.COM/GUIDES/STAIR-REGULATIONS ·

Stair rise and going check

Result

Checked against Approved Document K 2013 (England), Table 1.1 and paragraphs 1.17–1.18, and Approved Document M Vol 2 paragraph 1.33 for external stepped access. Headroom (2.0m), widths, landings, guarding and structure are not checked. Wales and Scotland have their own rules. General guidance only: confirm with building control and a competent designer.

Need a stair designed and fabricated? Send your drawings for a price.

Koyda Ltd, Units 27-29 Jesmor Farm, St Piers Lane, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PN

joe@koyda.com · 07753 213617 · www.koyda.com · Mon-Fri 07:00-17:00

## Rise, going, pitch and headroom

All rises in a flight must be equal, and so must all goings. Measure the going from nosing to nosing on plan, and headroom vertically from the pitch line.

Rise, going, pitch and headroom from Approved Document K. Not to scale. [Download the diagram (SVG)](https://www.koyda.com/guides/stair-regulations/stair-geometry-diagram.svg).

## Widths, flights and landings

* Buildings other than dwellings: at least 1200mm between enclosing walls or strings and 1000mm between handrails. Flights wider than 2m should be divided into flights at least 1000mm wide (ADK 1.15).
* Dwellings: ADK sets no general minimum width. Approved Document B may set one for escape.
* No single steps. Where there are more than 36 risers in consecutive flights, change direction by at least 30° (ADK 1.17–1.18).
* Landings at the top and bottom of every flight, at least as wide and as long as the narrowest flight width. In a dwelling, a door may swing across the bottom landing if it leaves 400mm clear (ADK 1.20–1.24).

## Tapered treads, spiral and helical stairs

* Tapered treads: all consecutive tapered treads should have the same going, and the tapered going must not be less than the going of the straight flight. The narrow end must be at least 50mm (ADK 1.25–1.27, Diagram 1.9).
* Where the stair is less than 1m wide, measure the going at the centre. Where it is 1m or wider, measure 270mm in from each side.
* Spiral and helical stairs: ADK refers to BS 5395-2. We have not quoted its figures because the standard is not freely published; use the current edition.
* Alternating tread stairs and fixed ladders are only acceptable in loft conversions, for access to one habitable room (ADK 1.29–1.32).

## Accessible stairs (Approved Document M)

| Item | External stepped access, other buildings (ADM Vol 2) | Stepped approach to a dwelling, M4(1) (ADM Vol 1) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rise | 150–170mm | 75–150mm |
| Going | 280–425mm | 280mm min |
| Flight size | 12 risers (going under 350mm) or 18 risers (350mm or more) | 1800mm total rise max |
| Width | 1200mm min | 900mm min |
| Landings | Top and bottom of each flight | 900mm long min |
| Handrails | Both sides | One side, 850–1000mm high, for three or more risers |

For internal stairs in buildings other than dwellings, ADM Vol 2 relies on ADK Section 1 and recommends a going of at least 300mm where people with impaired mobility use the stair. Nosings should contrast visually, 55mm deep on both the tread and the riser (ADK 1.7).

## Stepped gangways in assembly buildings

Maximum pitch 35°, step height 100–190mm, and no more than 40 steps without a cross-gangway where the pitch is over 25°. Gangways are 1100mm wide, or 900mm where 50 people or fewer use them (ADK 1.4).

## Wales and Scotland

* Wales: Approved Document K for use in Wales applies. Check it for work in Wales.
* Scotland (domestic handbook 2022, Tables 4.3 and 4.4): private stair rise 100–220mm, going 225mm min, pitch 42° max. Other stairs: rise 100–170mm, going 250mm min, pitch 34° max. A new edition applies to warrants applied for from April 2026, so check the current handbook.

## Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum rise for a stair in a house?

In England, a private stair in a house can have a rise of 150mm to 220mm and a going of 220mm to 300mm. The pitch must not exceed 42 degrees, and twice the rise plus the going (2R + G) must be between 550mm and 700mm. All the rises in a flight must be the same.

How much headroom does a staircase need?

Approved Document K asks for at least 2.0m clear headroom, measured vertically above the pitch line and over landings. In a loft conversion where that is not possible, 1.9m at the centre of the stair is acceptable, reducing to 1.8m at the side of the stair.

How do I work out the number of steps for a staircase?

Divide the floor-to-floor height by the maximum rise and round up to get the number of risers. Divide the height by that number to get the actual rise. Then choose a going that keeps 2R + G between 550mm and 700mm and the pitch within the limit. For example, 2,600mm in a house gives 12 risers of 216.7mm; a going of 245mm keeps the pitch under 42 degrees and gives 2R + G of 678mm.

Can a staircase have open risers?

In a dwelling, yes, if the treads overlap by at least 16mm and a 100mm sphere cannot pass through the gap. In buildings other than dwellings, and on stairs in the common parts of blocks of flats, open risers are not allowed.

Are the stair rules the same in Scotland and Wales?

No. Wales has its own Approved Document K. Scotland uses the Building standards technical handbooks; for a private stair in a house the domestic handbook allows a rise of 100mm to 220mm, a going of at least 225mm and a pitch of no more than 42 degrees. Check the current handbook for the date of your building warrant.

## Sources

1. [Approved Document K: protection from falling, collision and impact (2013 edition, GOV.UK)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protection-from-falling-collision-and-impact-approved-document-k)
2. [Approved Document M Volume 2: buildings other than dwellings (2015 edition incorporating 2020 and 2024 amendments, GOV.UK)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-and-use-of-buildings-approved-document-m)
3. [Approved Document M Volume 1: dwellings (2015 edition incorporating 2016 amendments, GOV.UK)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-and-use-of-buildings-approved-document-m)
4. [Building standards technical handbook 2022: domestic, section 4.3 stairs and ramps (gov.scot)](https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-standards-technical-handbook-2022-domestic/4-safety/4-3-stairs-ramps/)
5. [Approved Document K for use in Wales (GOV.WALES)](https://www.gov.wales/approved-document-k-protection-falling-collision-and-impact)

General guidance only, not design advice for a specific project. Building regulations guidance changes: check the current edition of each document, and get project-specific design from a competent engineer. Koyda Ltd accepts no liability for decisions made using this page.

ContentsGuide

1. [Quick reference](#quick)
2. [Stair categories](#categories)
3. [Rise and going calculator](#calculator)
4. [Rise, going, pitch and headroom](#geometry)
5. [Widths, flights and landings](#widths)
6. [Tapered treads, spiral and helical stairs](#tapered)
7. [Accessible stairs (Approved Document M)](#access)
8. [Stepped gangways in assembly buildings](#assembly)
9. [Wales and Scotland](#nations)
10. [Frequently asked questions](#faq-h)

Related servicesKoyda

* [Staircases](https://www.koyda.com/services/staircases/)
* [Metal Balustrades & Handrails](https://www.koyda.com/services/metal-balustrades-handrails/)
* [Structural Steel](https://www.koyda.com/services/structural-steel/)

[Send drawings →](https://www.koyda.com/contact-us/)

More guides

## Other technical guides

* [Handrail and balustrade regulations](https://www.koyda.com/guides/handrail-and-balustrade-regulations/)
* [RAL colour chart for metalwork](https://www.koyda.com/guides/ral-colour-chart/)
* [Galvanising vs powder coating vs duplex](https://www.koyda.com/guides/galvanising-powder-coating-duplex/)
* [Balustrade heights and loads](https://www.koyda.com/guides/balustrade-heights-and-loads/)
* [Glass balustrade specification](https://www.koyda.com/guides/glass-balustrade-specification/)
* [BS EN 1090 and execution classes](https://www.koyda.com/guides/bs-en-1090-execution-classes/)
* [Gateway 2 for metalwork packages](https://www.koyda.com/guides/gateway-2-metalwork-packages/)
* [Specifying rooftop plant screens](https://www.koyda.com/guides/plant-screens-specification/)
* [S275 vs S355 steel grades, and RSJ vs UB](https://www.koyda.com/guides/s275-vs-s355-steel-grades/)
* [Plate and flat bar weight tables, sheet gauges](https://www.koyda.com/guides/plate-and-flat-bar-weights/)
* [Bolt sizes, property classes and clearance holes](https://www.koyda.com/guides/bolt-sizes-grades-and-holes/)
* [Welding symbols explained (ISO 2553)](https://www.koyda.com/guides/welding-symbols/)
* [Glass balustrade thickness and fixing](https://www.koyda.com/guides/glass-balustrade-thickness-and-fixing/)
* [Automated gate safety basics](https://www.koyda.com/guides/automated-gate-safety/)
* [Intumescent paint and fire protection for steel](https://www.koyda.com/guides/intumescent-paint-fire-protection/)
* [Interactive Welding Guide](https://www.koyda.com/guides/welding-quick-guide/)
* [A–Z glossary of metalwork and steelwork terms](https://www.koyda.com/guides/glossary/)