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Stair Stringer Calculator · Free calculator

Stair Stringer Calculator: 60" Total Rise

For 60" from finished floor to finished floor (5' 0"), you need 8 risers of 7-1/2" and 7 treads. With 10" treads the stairs run 5' 10" and each stringer is 7' 8-3/16" long — cut from a 10' 2x12.

Quick answer

Risers
8 × 7-1/2"
Treads (10")
7
Total run
5' 10"
Stringer length
7' 8-3/16"
2x12 stringers (36" wide)
3 × 10'
IRC
✓ Meets code

▍Stair Stringer Calculator

in
Tread depth (run)
in
Risers × height
8 × 7-1/2"
✓ Meets IRC (riser ≤ 7-3/4", tread ≥ 10")
5' 0"RUN 5' 10"
Treads
7
Total run
5' 10"
Stringer length
7' 8-3/16"
Angle
36.9°
2x12 stringers
3 × 10'
2R + T
25.00in

60" rise — tread depth options

TreadTotal runStringerAngle2R + TStock
10"5' 10"7' 8-3/16"36.9°25.0010'
10-1/2"6' 1-1/2"7' 10-7/8"35.5°25.5010'
11"6' 5"8' 1-5/8"34.3°26.0010'
1' 0"7' 0"8' 7-1/4"32.0°27.0010'

60" rise — riser count options

IRC R311.7.5.1: riser height 7-3/4" max. Comfortable stairs land at 7"–7-1/2".

RisersRiser heightTreadsMeets IRC
78-9/16"6No — too tall
87-1/2"7Yes
96-11/16"8Yes
106"9Yes

How the math works

  1. Risers = 60" ÷ 7.75" max = 7.74 → round up to 8
  2. Riser height = 60" ÷ 8 = 7.5000" ≈ 7-1/2"
  3. Treads = risers − 1 = 7
  4. Total run = 7 × 10" = 5' 10"
  5. Stringer = √(60² + 70.0²) = 7' 8-3/16"

Subtract one tread thickness from the bottom riser of the stringer (drop the stringer) so the first step matches the rest.

Trade pro tips

  • Measure the 60" rise from finished floor to finished floor — add flooring and tread thickness to rough measurements.
  • Cut one stringer, test it in place, then trace it for the rest.
  • At 36" wide, use 3 stringers; at wider than 36", add one stringer per 16"–18".

Frequently asked questions

How many steps for a 60 inch rise?

8 risers (steps up) of 7-1/2" each, with 7 treads. That stays under the IRC maximum riser height of 7-3/4".

How long of a stringer do I need for a 60" rise?

7' 8-3/16" along the slope with 10" treads (total run 5' 10"). Buy 10' 2x12s to leave room for the top and bottom cuts.

What is the riser height for a 60" stair?

7.500" — about 7-1/2" on the tape. 2R + T = 25.00", right in the comfortable range.

What angle are 60" stairs?

36.9° with 10" treads. Residential stairs typically fall between 30° and 37°.