Stair diagram
Stair Parts Diagram: Every Part of a Staircase, Labeled
This parts of a staircase diagram shows a straight stair from the side, with each main part labeled. Use the glossary below the diagram to match each label to a plain description.
Labeled diagram of a straight staircase
Stair parts glossary
| Part | What it is |
|---|---|
| Tread | The horizontal surface of each step that you walk on. |
| Riser | The vertical face between one tread and the next. |
| Nosing | The front edge of a tread where it meets or projects beyond the riser. |
| Stringer | The sloping structural member that supports the treads and risers. |
| Skirt board | Trim along the wall side of the stair that covers the joint where treads and risers meet the wall. |
| Newel post | The larger post that anchors the handrail at the bottom, top or a turn of the stair. |
| Baluster | A vertical post that fills the space between the treads and the handrail on an open side. |
| Handrail | The rail you hold while going up or down the stairs. |
| Landing | A level platform at the top, bottom or turn of a staircase. |
| Rise | The vertical height from the top of one tread to the top of the next. |
| Run | The horizontal depth of a step, measured from one nosing to the next. |
How treads, risers and nosing relate to your flooring
Treads, risers and nosing are the stair parts that can be finished to match the floor. Tread Space makes these parts by hand from the flooring identified for each project; it does not make stringers, skirt boards, newel posts, balusters or handrails.
The tread carries the floor surface, the riser closes the vertical face on a closed stair, and the nosing finishes the front edge where the two meet. Dimensions are set by your local building code.
Common questions
What are the parts of a staircase called?
The main parts are treads, risers, nosings, stringers and landings, plus a railing made of a handrail, balusters and newel posts. Skirt boards trim the wall side, and rise and run describe step height and depth.
What is a nosing on a stair?
The nosing is the front edge of a tread, where it meets or projects beyond the riser below.
What is the difference between a tread and a riser?
The tread is the horizontal part you step on. The riser is the vertical part between one tread and the next.
What is a stringer on a staircase?
A stringer is the sloping structural member that supports the treads and risers along the length of the stair.
What is a newel post?
A newel post is the larger post that anchors the handrail at the bottom, top or a turn of the staircase.