Your step-by-step guide to getting the right fit

Before you order your new handrail, a few quick measurements will help make sure everything fits just as it should.

Don't worry, you don't need any fancy tools or a degree in architecture. Just follow the steps below.

What You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Straight edge (spirit level or laser level)
  • Notepad to jot things down

Step 1 - What Type of Stairs Do You Have?

Knowing your staircase layout helps us guide you to the right handrail setup. Here are the most common types:

Step 2 - Measure the Riser Height

Measure the vertical distance from the tip of one step to the top of the next - this is your riser height.

Most UK stairs have risers between 175mm and 200mm

Step 3 - Mark Your Handrail Line for Stairs

For each flight of stairs:
1 - From the front edge (nosing) of the bottom step, measure 805mm vertically and make a mark on the wall.

2 - Do the same from the top step

3- Use a straight edge to join the two marks - this is your handrail line

4 - Measure along this line to get your stair handrail length

Step 4 - Mark Your Handrail Line for Landing

If your staircase has a landing, follow this:

1 - Measure 805mm + 1 riser height vertically from the landing floor (e.g. 805 + 175 = 980mm)

2 - Mark that height on the wall at both ends of the landing

3 - Use a straight edge to connect the marks, this is your landing handrail line

4 - Measure along this line to get your landing handrail lengths

Step 5 - What to Record

Here's what to jot down and send over if you're chatting with our team:

- Riser Height = _____mm

- Length of each stair flight (along the handrail line):

Lower flight = _____mm

Upper flight= _____mm

- Length of landing walls (along the landing handrail line):

Wall A = ______mm

Wall B = ______mm

Wall C = ______mm (optional for half landings)

Once you've got these measurements you're all set to choose the handrail that fits your space.

Worried About Getting Wrong?

Our Fit Guarantee means that if you make a genuine mistake, like ordering a handrail that's too short or forgetting a bracket we'll help sort it. Check out our Fit Guarantee to understand how it works.