{"id":61817,"date":"2021-05-13T18:56:25","date_gmt":"2021-05-13T16:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/?p=61817"},"modified":"2026-09-30T18:16:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T15:16:33","slug":"concrete-stairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/concrete-stairs\/","title":{"rendered":"Concrete Stairs Volume Calculator"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"not-prose calculator-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculator-title\"><div class=\"flex items-baseline sm:items-center justify-between gap-2 sm:gap-3\"><div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-2\"><span class=\"icon icon-calculator text-primary-700! text-base! dark:text-primary-300!\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2 id=\"calculator-title\" class=\"text-lg font-display font-bold\">Estimate Concrete for Staircase Pour<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"calcdash-favorite group\">\n  <button type=\"button\" class=\"favorite\" id=\"favorite\" data-favorite-id=\"61817\" data-favorite-title=\"Concrete Stairs\" data-favorite-url=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/concrete-stairs\/\" data-favorite-excerpt=\"Estimate how much concrete you need to pour a staircase. Enter the number of steps, riser height, tread depth, and stair width to get the required concrete volume in cubic yards.\" aria-label=\"Add to Favorites\" data-favorite-icon=\"icon icon-engineering\">\n    <span class=\"icon icon-shape-star-empty\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n  <\/button>\n  <div class=\"calcdash-favorite__tip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n   <span class=\"favorite-tooltip\" id=\"favorite-tooltip\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"favorite-status\"><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><form action=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/concrete-stairs\/\" method=\"POST\" class=\"calculator\" id=\"calculator-61817\" data-post=\"61817\"><fieldset class=\"fieldset-input\"><legend class=\"sr-only\">Input Fields<\/legend><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-1\"><label for=\"field-1\">Number of steps<\/label><div class=\"term\">n<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"number\" name=\"number_of_steps\" id=\"field-1\" step=\"1\" value=\"10\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-2\"><label for=\"field-2\">Height per step<\/label><div class=\"term\">t<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"number\" name=\"height_per_step\" id=\"field-2\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-2\" step=\"0.1\" value=\"7\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-2\">in<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-3\"><label for=\"field-3\">Depth per step<\/label><div class=\"term\">r<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"number\" name=\"depth_per_step\" id=\"field-3\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-3\" step=\"0.1\" value=\"11\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-3\">in<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-4\"><label for=\"field-4\">Stairs width<\/label><div class=\"term\">w<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"number\" name=\"stairs_width\" id=\"field-4\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-4\" step=\"1\" value=\"36\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-4\">in<\/div><\/div><\/fieldset><div class=\"buttons\"><button type=\"submit\" data-text=\"Re-Calculate\" id=\"calculate-button\" data-post=\"61817\">Calculate<\/button><button type=\"reset\">Reset<\/button><\/div><div class=\"field is-checkbox hidden!\" id=\"field-auto-calc\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"auto-calc\"><label for=\"auto-calc\">Calculate automatically<\/label><small>If enabled, the result will update automatically when you change any value.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"fieldset-result is-hidden\" aria-labelledby=\"result-title\" aria-live=\"polite\" role=\"region\"> <h3 class=\"result-title bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 dark:from-primary-900 dark:to-gray-800\" id=\"result-title\"><span class=\"icon icon-s-pulse\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> Your Results<\/h3><div class=\"result-box\"><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-1\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Concrete Volume<\/span><span class=\"result-term\">c<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-1\" data-unit=\"yd\u00b3\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"result-actions\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-link\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12.232 4.232a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.536 3.536l-1.225 1.224a.75.75 0 0 0 1.061 1.06l1.224-1.224a4 4 0 0 0-5.656-5.656l-3 3a4 4 0 0 0 .225 5.865.75.75 0 0 0 .977-1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1-.142-3.667l3-3Z\"\/><path d=\"M11.603 7.963a.75.75 0 0 0-.977 1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1 .142 3.667l-3 3a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-3.536-3.536l1.225-1.224a.75.75 0 0 0-1.061-1.06l-1.224 1.224a4 4 0 1 0 5.656 5.656l3-3a4 4 0 0 0-.225-5.865Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"copy-link__text\">Copy link to this calculation<\/span><\/button><span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"copy-link-status\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><a href=\"#respond\" class=\"hidden transition-opacity duration-300 opacity-0 w-50 text-sm justify-center items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300\" id=\"leave-comment\"><span class=\"icon icon-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>Leave a Comment<\/a><\/form><\/section><section id=\"calc-reactions\" class=\"not-prose hidden my-12 bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 border border-indigo-100 rounded-xl px-6 py-4 shadow-sm\" data-post=\"61817\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\"><p id=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 text-center mb-2\">How did this result make you feel?<\/p><div role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex sm:flex-row sm:justify-around gap-4 sm:items-center sm:flex-wrap\"><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"like\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"like\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude00 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Like <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"helpful\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"helpful\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udca1 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Helpful <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"confused\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"confused\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude15 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Confused <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"disappointed\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"disappointed\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude1e <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Disappointed <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"inaccurate\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"inaccurate\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u274c <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Inaccurate <\/span><\/button><\/div><div id=\"reaction-message\" class=\"hidden mt-8 rounded-md border border-primary-100 bg-white\/50 backdrop-blur-sm px-4 py-2 text-sm text-center shadow-sm\"><\/div><\/section><div class=\"calcdash-ad not-prose calcdash-ad--calc_result calcdash-ad--in-article\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1721569815777345\" data-ad-slot=\"6317458308\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-1\">.formula-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section class=\"formula-box\" aria-labelledby=\"formula-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"formula-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display mb-4\"><span class=\"icon icon-formula\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Concrete Stairs Volume Formula<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t<figure class=\"not-prose formula\">\r\n\t\t<figcaption class=\"formula-title\">Formula<\/figcaption>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"text-base text-gray-800\" id=\"formula\">\n\\[ c = \\frac{n(n+1)}{2} \\cdot \\frac{t}{12} \\cdot \\frac{r}{12} \\cdot \\frac{w}{12} \\cdot \\frac{1}{27} = \\frac{t \\cdot r \\cdot w \\cdot n(n+1)}{93\\,312} \\]\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/figure>\r\n\t<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\(n\\) \u2014 number of steps<\/li>\n<li>\\(t\\) \u2014 riser height of each step (in)<\/li>\n<li>\\(r\\) \u2014 tread depth of each step (in)<\/li>\n<li>\\(w\\) \u2014 width of the staircase (in)<\/li>\n<li>\\(c\\) \u2014 concrete volume (yd\u00b3)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A solid staircase is a stack of rectangular blocks: the bottom step is one riser high, the second is two risers high, and the top step is \\(n\\) risers high. Since \\(1 + 2 + \\dots + n = \\frac{n(n+1)}{2}\\), only the four input dimensions are needed. All measurements are entered in inches, and the constant 93,312 (= 2 \u00d7 46,656 in\u00b3 per cubic yard) converts the result directly to cubic yards.<\/p>\n<p>\r\n<\/section>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-459\">.calculation-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section id=\"calculation\" class=\"calculation-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculation-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"calculation-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display\"><span class=\"icon icon-unordered-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Concrete Stairs Volume \u2013 Calculation Example<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> a straight staircase with 10 steps, a 7 in riser, an 11 in tread, and a width of 36 in (3 ft) \u2014 the calculator's default values.<\/p>\n<p>\\[ c = \\frac{7 \\cdot 11 \\cdot 36 \\cdot 10 \\cdot 11}{93\\,312} = \\frac{304\\,920}{93\\,312} \\approx 3.27\\ \\text{yd}^3 \\]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Result:<\/strong> about 3.27 cubic yards (88.2 ft\u00b3) of concrete for the steps themselves. With a 10 % allowance for waste and spillage, you would order roughly 3.6 yd\u00b3.<\/p>\n<p>\n\r\n<\/section>\n<h2>How to Use the Calculator<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Enter the total <strong>Number of steps<\/strong> in the staircase.<\/li>\n<li>Enter the <strong>Height per step<\/strong> \u2014 the riser height in inches (comfortable stairs typically use 6\u20137.5 in).<\/li>\n<li>Enter the <strong>Depth per step<\/strong> \u2014 the tread depth in inches, measured from the front edge of a step back to the next riser (typically 10\u201311 in).<\/li>\n<li>Enter the <strong>Stairs width<\/strong> in inches, measured across the staircase.<\/li>\n<li>Read the <strong>Concrete Volume<\/strong> result, given in cubic yards.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What the Result Means<\/h2>\n<p>The result is the net volume of concrete in a solid, cast-in-place staircase: every step is assumed to be a full-depth block sitting on the one below it, with a stepped underside. This is the standard model for stairs poured against formwork that follows the step profile, and it is also a safe (slightly generous) estimate for stairs cast on a sloping slab.<\/p>\n<p>An accurate volume estimate matters because ready-mix concrete is ordered by the cubic yard, often with a minimum truckload and extra charges for small loads. Running short mid-pour forces a cold joint that weakens the stair, while ordering too much wastes money. If you are mixing on site rather than ordering ready-mix, the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/concrete-ingredients\/\">Concrete Ingredients calculator<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/concrete-mix-ratio\/\">Concrete Mix Ratio calculator<\/a> help you translate this volume into cement, sand, and gravel quantities.<\/p>\n<p>To plan a full pour, add the stairs to the volumes of any other elements \u2014 slabs, footings, walls \u2014 using the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/concrete-yardage\/\">Concrete Yardage calculator<\/a>, and order the combined total plus a 5\u201310 % contingency for waste, spillage, and uneven subgrade.<\/p>\n<h2>Assumptions and Limitations<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Uniform steps:<\/strong> every step must have the same riser and tread; stairs with varying step sizes or a curved plan need a manual takeoff.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Steps only:<\/strong> landings, platforms, and the slab or footing at the base are not included \u2014 estimate those separately with the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/concrete-footing-slab-pours\/\">Concrete Footing\/Slab Pours calculator<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Solid section:<\/strong> the model assumes a solid cast; precast stairs or hollow-core designs use less concrete.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No deduction for reinforcement:<\/strong> rebar and mesh displace only about 1\u20132 % of the volume and are safely covered by the waste allowance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Units:<\/strong> all inputs are in inches; if your drawings are metric, convert first (1 in = 25.4 mm).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A quick comfort check while you are at it: many building codes follow the \"7-11\" guideline (7 in riser, 11 in tread), and the rule of thumb \\(2t + r \\approx 24\\text{\u2013}25\\) inches usually produces a comfortable stride.<\/p>\n<h2>Typical Volumes for Common Staircases<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Steps<\/th>\n<th>Riser (in)<\/th>\n<th>Tread (in)<\/th>\n<th>Width (in)<\/th>\n<th>Volume (yd\u00b3)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>36<\/td>\n<td>0.59<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8<\/td>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>36<\/td>\n<td>2.14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10<\/td>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>36<\/td>\n<td>3.27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12<\/td>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>48<\/td>\n<td>6.18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Note how fast the volume grows: doubling the number of steps nearly quadruples the concrete, because the average height of the stacked blocks rises along with the count. Tall staircases are worth estimating carefully \u2014 and worth a second look at your order before the truck arrives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Estimate how much concrete you need to pour a staircase. Enter the number of steps, riser height, tread depth, and stair width to get the required concrete volume in cubic yards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[96],"class_list":["post-61817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-engineering","tag-concrete"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61817"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61817\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65965,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61817\/revisions\/65965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}