Comfort
Stair comfort grade explained
How a stair comfort grade combines riser height, going, pitch and the Blondel value, what the score tells you, and where your own judgment still matters.
A stair comfort grade combines several measures
A stair comfort grade combines riser height, going, pitch and the Blondel value. A single good figure cannot make up for a poor overall balance.
Use the grade to compare options quickly, then look at the actual dimensions before you choose.
Different uses need different stairs
A loft stair, a main family stair and a stair used by the public have different comfort expectations.
For a stair you use every day, favor an easy rhythm and a generous going over the smallest possible footprint.
Code still comes first
A comfort grade is a design aid. It does not replace local building regulations.
Use it as an early warning, then check the final stair against the applicable rules, with professional judgment.
Put this into practice
Open the editor and test these numbers on your own staircase, with live drawings and a comfort score. No account needed.
Related guides
Comfort
Using the Blondel formula for comfortable stairs
What the Blondel formula (2h + g) measures, why the target sits near 600 to 640 mm, and how to use it to balance riser height and tread depth.
Stair calculations
How to calculate stair rise and run
Work out stair riser height, going, pitch and total run from your floor-to-floor height, with the typical ranges to aim for before you build.
Planning
Stair headroom: what to check before building
How stair headroom depends on the floor opening, slab thickness and finishes, and the layout mistakes that cause clearance problems near the top of a flight.