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Home / Stair Guides

Straight Stairs

Single straight flight, most common residential type

Trusted across thousands of fit checks · updated daily
400 questions answered

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Quick answer

Can I move furniture up straight stairs?

Most furniture can navigate without special techniques. Straight Stairs have a minimum clearance of 36 inches. The straight path allows diagonal maneuvering.

Moving Difficulty: Easy

Standard Dimensions

Standard straight stairs dimensions (in)
DimensionMeasurement
Width36"
Minimum Clearance (critical)36"
Headroom80"
Total Rise105"
Tread Depth10"
Riser Height7.5"
Number of Risers14
Standard stair dimensions aren't the whole story — check whether your exact item clears this staircase, including the turn and headroom.Check stair fit →

Building Code Compliance

  • IRC Residential: Compliant
  • IBC Commercial: Compliant
  • ADA Accessible: Not compliant

Moving Tips for Straight Stairs

  • Measure your furniture and the stair clearance before moving
  • Remove doors at top and bottom of stairs for extra clearance
  • Use furniture sliders or moving blankets to protect walls
  • Have at least 2 people for heavy items
  • Tilt long items diagonally to maximize clearance
  • Lead with the narrowest dimension through tight spots

Measure smart

What to measure.

Four numbers decide nearly every fit check. Get these right and the rest follows.

  1. 01Minimum clearance — the narrowest point along the entire flight
  2. 02Stair width between walls or railings
  3. 03Headroom and the diagonal at any turn or landing
  4. 04Your furniture's smallest dimension in every orientation

Don't make these

Common mistakes.

Most “it didn't fit” stories trace back to one of these oversights.

  1. ⚠Measuring the step width but missing a tighter pinch at a turn or overhang
  2. ⚠Forgetting headroom — a low ceiling or soffit can stop a tall item
  3. ⚠Assuming a landing lets you reorient when a winder turn does not
  4. ⚠Underestimating how much a handrail narrows the usable width

Go deeper

Related guides & calculators

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  • Butterfly StairsGuide
  • Imperial StairsGuide
  • Geometric StairsGuide
  • Alternating Tread StairsGuide
  • Ship Ladder StairsGuide
  • Split Level StairsGuide
  • Fire Escape StairsGuide
  • Folding StairsGuide
  • Retractable StairsGuide
  • Scissor StairsGuide

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Frequently asked

Questions we keep getting.

  • What are the standard dimensions of Straight Stairs?

    Standard straight stairs have a width of 36 inches, tread depth of 10 inches, and riser height of 7.5 inches. The total rise is 105 inches with 14 risers.

    01
  • Can a sofa fit up straight stairs?

    Yes, most standard sofas (up to 84" wide) can fit up straight stairs with 36" clearance. The key is to tilt the sofa and navigate it diagonally.

    02
  • What is the minimum clearance for moving furniture up straight stairs?

    The minimum clearance on straight stairs is 36 inches. This is the narrowest point furniture must pass through. For safe passage, furniture's smallest dimension should be at least 2-3 inches less than this clearance.

    03
  • Why are straight stairs the easiest for moving furniture?

    Straight stairs have no turns or landings, allowing furniture to be carried diagonally in one continuous motion. The full width of 36 inches remains available throughout, and the simple geometry makes it easier to predict if large items will fit.

    04

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