Painted risers
usually white or a trim color, a common look that contrasts with wood or LVP treads and can make each step edge easier to see.
Stair guide
Stair Risers and Stair Riser Height
A stair riser is the vertical board between two treads. Riser height affects how comfortable and safe a stair feels, and the riser's finish affects how the stair looks. This guide covers riser height, code basics and riser finishes.
What is a stair riser?
The riser is the vertical face of each step, running from the top of one tread to the underside of the next tread's nosing. Open-riser stairs leave this space open; closed stairs fill it with a riser board.
Stair riser height
Typical residential risers are around 7 to 7-3/4 in tall.
The International Residential Code commonly limits riser height to 7-3/4 in, and limits the difference between the tallest and shortest riser in a flight to 3/8 in.
Commercial stairs under the IBC generally use risers between 4 and 7 in.
New flooring adds thickness, which can change the first and last riser heights. Check your local code; requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Matching risers to flooring
Risers can be finished in the same flooring as the treads and floor for a continuous look. Tread Space makes stair parts by hand in Columbia Falls, Montana, from the flooring identified for your project. Suitability is confirmed during project review, and pricing and turnaround are confirmed on your written quote.
Painted vs matched risers
Matched risers
finished in the same flooring as the treads for a uniform look.
Both are common choices; the decision is mostly about style and the rest of the home's trim.
Common questions
What is a stair riser?
The vertical board between two treads that forms the front face of each step.
What is the standard stair riser height?
Typical residential risers are around 7 to 7-3/4 in. Many residential codes limit risers to 7-3/4 in. Check your local code.
How much can riser heights vary?
The IRC commonly limits the difference between the tallest and shortest riser in a flight to 3/8 in. Check your local code.
Should risers match the treads?
Either matched or painted risers are common. Matched risers give a uniform look; painted risers contrast with the treads.
How do I calculate riser height?
Divide the total floor-to-floor rise by the number of risers. The stair calculator on this site does the math.
Related guides
Ready for your stair parts?
Pricing and turnaround are confirmed on your written quote.