This guide takes you step by step through a complete stair measurement – from the required tools to all measurement steps to the final checklist. The goal is a data set with which we can plan your staircase to the millimeter, comfortably and safely.
You get concrete steps, professional tips and typical sources of error – in the order you need them. Measure consistently in millimeters and ideally work in pairs: one person measures, the other documents.
A precise measurement is the foundation of every perfectly fitting staircase. This guide takes you step by step through the entire measuring process. We explain not only what you need to measure, but also why it's important and what typical mistakes you should avoid.
This ensures that we can construct a staircase based on your data that not only fits to the millimeter, but is also comfortable and safe.
Before you put the tape measure on, internalize these three fundamental rules. They are the key to an error-free measurement.
This is the binding standard in construction and avoids costly conversion errors.
Four eyes see more than two. One person measures, the other records the values and checks along. This minimizes careless errors.
Perform every important measurement a second time. If there are deviations of more than 5 mm, you need to find the cause. If in doubt, note both values.
This guide shows you how to measure. The measurement sheet is the crucial tool with which you collect all the data to receive a well-founded quote and an exact construction drawing from us.
You have two ways to submit your data:
In your personal project area, you fill everything out online – from measurements to material selection to photo upload. This is the fastest and easiest way to your quote.
To the digital measurement sheet & create projectDownload the appropriate PDF, print it out, and record all measurements on site. Then transfer the data to our online quote form.
Select appropriate measurement sheet as PDFGood tools are half the battle. For an exact measurement, we recommend the following equipment:
Indispensable for quick and precise measurements of heights and lengths.
Indispensable for creating a complete vertical or horizontal laser plane as a reference in the room.
Perfect for shorter distances and detail measurements.
Necessary to precisely capture deviations from 90° angles on walls and ceiling openings.
For structured recording of all values.
Photos are invaluable for documenting the on-site situation. A picture is often worth a thousand words.
Before you start measuring, it's important to understand the goal. A staircase is not a flexible component that can be adjusted on site – it's a precisely manufactured, rigid component. However, the space it's installed in is almost never perfect: walls are often not exactly vertical and angles are rarely exactly 90°.
Your task is to capture this reality exactly. Every deviation, even just one centimeter, massively affects the later installation and the precise fit of the staircase. We need your measurements to construct the staircase precisely for this imperfect space, because it cannot simply be "squeezed in" later.
The measurement therefore always begins with analyzing the space. Imagine projecting the outline of the stair opening from above exactly vertically onto the floor of the lower level. This creates an "ideal box". Your measurements reveal how much the real walls deviate from this ideal box. These deviations flow directly into our construction and determine the perfect fit.
The floor height is the exact vertical height difference between the top of the finished floor (OKFF) below and the OKFF above. To determine this measurement precisely, we work with a meter mark and a horizontal laser line.
The height measurement is taken between two exact references:
At the entry point on the wall, measure exactly 1000 mm (1 meter) up from the top of the finished floor (OKFF) and make a precise mark (meter line).
Align the horizontal line of your cross line laser exactly on the meter mark. The laser line now runs at a constant height of 1000 mm above the lower finished floor.
Now measure exactly vertically with the folding rule from the horizontal laser line up to the top of the finished floor (OKFF) on the upper floor. Note this value.
The exact floor height is the sum of the meter mark (1000 mm) and your just-measured value.
Formula: 1000 mm + measured dimension = Floor Height (GH).
Check the height difference between the outer and inner stringer, as floors are rarely perfectly level.
The ceiling thickness at the exit is an important construction measurement. It determines how the staircase is attached to the upper floor and how the transition from the stair run to the floor is executed.
Measure directly at the edge of the ceiling opening where the staircase exits.
Measure the vertical distance from the top of the finished floor (OKFF) on the upper floor to the underside of the finished ceiling (UKFD).
The exact dimensions, shape, and all obstacles within the ceiling opening define the space available for the stair run. Inaccuracies here inevitably lead to fitting or headroom problems.
Is the opening rectangular, L-shaped, U-shaped, or does it have a special shape (e.g., angled edges)?
Measure all side lengths of the opening. For L- or U-shapes, measure each leg individually.
Check all corners with the angle meter. Note any deviation from 90°.
Document all components that protrude into the stair opening.
If there is a descent to a lower level below the new staircase, its exact position in relation to the upper stair opening is crucial.
Capture the outer dimensions of the lower opening (length, width, shape, and angles).
Choose the appropriate method depending on the situation:
Draw both openings with their dimensions and the connecting reference dimensions in your sketch. Use a different color for the lower stair opening and its dimensioning to ensure clarity.
A staircase is manufactured as a rigid, right-angled component. It cannot adapt to crooked or slanted walls. The goal of this check is to capture every deviation of the wall from an ideal, perfect plane. Only then can we construct the staircase so that it fits optimally and ugly, uneven gaps are avoided.
Define an imaginary, perfect line for the wall course.
Now measure with a folding rule at any number of places the distance from the real wall surface to the perfect laser plane. Any deviation from your reference measurement (e.g., 100 mm) is an error in the wall. This way, with a single measurement, you can immediately see if the wall is tilting (plumb deviation), has "bulges" or dents (flatness deviation), or runs at an angle. Note the largest deviation.
Check the angle between walls, especially in the corners of the stair opening where the staircase rests.
Measure all obstacles such as radiators, window sills, door frames, or shafts that protrude into the staircase area, and note their exact position and dimensions.
In this step, we focus exclusively on the entry area on the lower floor. The goal is to determine the exact position of the front edge of the first step (or the stringer). This measurement, the projection, is always measured relative to the edge of the ceiling opening and is crucial for the comfort of the staircase and maintaining walkways in the room.
Stand in the lower room and determine where the front edge of the first step may maximally protrude into the room without blocking walkways, doors, or windows. Mark this point on the floor.
Now measure the horizontal distance from the front edge of the ceiling opening to your just-set mark on the floor. This measurement is the projection.
Regardless of the measured dimension, there should ideally be a free area of at least 80 cm in front of the final position of the first step to comfortably enter the staircase.
Good visual documentation is essential so that we can get a perfect picture of the on-site situation from our desk. A final check ensures that you haven't forgotten anything.
Draw a top view of the stair opening and adjacent walls from the perspective "view from above".
Also draw the outlines of any existing second stair opening (e.g., basement access) in the sketch, ideally in a different color to clearly distinguish it.
Roughly sketch the outer edges of the planned staircase in the floor plan and schematically draw in the individual steps.
Draw the walking line of the staircase in your sketch. It begins at the entry with a circle, runs in the middle of the staircase, and ends at the exit with an arrowhead pointing in the walking direction.
Did you think of everything?
Congratulations! If you have carefully followed this guide, you have a measurement in hand that enables us to smoothly and precisely plan your dream staircase.
The more accurate your information, the more perfect the end result will be. When in doubt, an additional photo or a detailed note is always the better choice.
