How to Use the Concrete Stair Calculator to Calculate the Concrete Volume for Your Stairs

A concrete stair calculator is used to calculate the volume of concrete for the stairs. This is considered an important tool in estimating the concrete volume for many construction projects. 

 

This calculator works in a different way than many other concrete calculators. It requires different dimensions, which include the ups, downs, tread width, and the number of steps needed. 

Different Types of Stairs and the Concrete Calculator to Build Them

As we all know that stairs are not all of the same size and shape. Every stair is built preferring different needs and the dimensions of the areas. It is necessary to know the types of stairs and the calculator usage that could help to estimate the concrete volume. What you should know while building the stairs is that each type of stairs has its own geometric shape and dimensions, and this can affect the overall concrete volume that is necessary to build them. 

Straight Stairs

Straight stairs are straight, which go without any breaks from one floor to the other. There are no turns or landings in this type, and only straight steps. These stairs are mostly built in small homes and small buildings where there is limited space.  A straight stairs calculator calculates the volume of concrete using these dimensions: 

 

• The number of steps
• Riser height
• Tread depth
• Stair width 

L-Shaped Stairs

L- shaped stairs resemble the letter L that takes a 90-degree turn at a landing point

These stairs are also common in homes where there is limited space. These types of stairs require two different dimensions. The measurements are taken for both flights and the landing. The calculator separately and some calucltors calculates the volume for both sections combined.

U-Shaped Stairs

U-shaped stairs look like the letter U. These stairs have two flights running in opposite directions with a large landing in between. The concrete used for building this is in large volume. You have to add the dimensions of both flights and the landing, the dimensions of all the steps separately, or highlight the number of steps in the calculator. 

Spiral or Circular Stairs

Spiral or circular stairs are usually curved in shape. These types of stairs are either built to give a modern look to the place, or sometimes these stairs are used at sites with limited space. 

 

A spiral stairs calculator asks for the radius instead of the length. Other than this, you will also have to add stair height, the number of steps or stairs, and the width. The calculation for this type of stairs building is complex and essentially requires the use of a calculator. 

Custom Built or Irregular Stairs

These stairs are the type of stairs that are customized, and their dimensions can depend on the customization rules. There is also a type of stairs that come with non-standard shapes, angled steps, and unusual dimensions.

 

A simple concrete calculator or a simple concrete stairs calculator cannot show you the accurate volume of concrete at once. You will need an advanced calculator that can accept depth, angle, and the landing dimensions properly, along with the nosing. Moreover, if there are no such calculators, the best thing is to break the steps into different shapes to get an accurate, concrete estimation.

How to Use a Concrete Stairs Calculator?

A concrete stairs calculator is a simple tool that calculates the concrete volume for you based on the data you provide it. However, before moving to understand how this calculator can be used, you should know what necessary data are required by the calculator. 

So let us tell you this first. 

Dimensions Necessary for Using the Concrete Stairs Calculator

You need a few basic and main measurements of your stairs to find the concrete volume for building perfect stairs without money and material wastage. 

 

The main dimensions you need are highlighted below:

 

• The number of steps the staircase has from bottom to top.
• Riser height, which is also the vertical height of each step. It is where your foot steps over
• The tread depth, which in some calculators is also named “run”. It is the horizontal depth of each step. It is the part you step by step.
• The width of the stairs is from one side to the other.
• The total rise or total height. It is the full vertical distance from the lower level to the upper level. Some calculator here asks for the number of steps.
• If the calculator asks for the landing size, include that too. The landing size is the dimension of any landing or platform between or at the top/bottom of the stairs.

 

When you enter these dimensions in the calculator, it uses them to give you the concrete volume for your concrete stairs.

 

So, if you understand the dimensions, you can follow the calculation steps to proceed with the calculations. 

Collect Your Stair Measurements

Collect the basic data from your stairs

• Number of steps
• Riser height, or the vertical height of each step
• Tread depth/run 
• Stair width (side to side)
• Landing size if there is a platform 

Enter the Inputs in the Calculator

After taking the measurements, you can move to the calculator: Visit the calculator website and select the stairs or steps option inside the concrete calculator. Then enter these details in the required fields. Add the unit also correctly. All the dimensions you add should be in one single unit, so the calculator can give you the estimate without any mistakes in the calculation.

 

Some calculators have only the option of total rise and total run. These calculators use these to automatically process the calculations for you.

Let the Calculator Work Out the Volume

The calculator will possess the data. It will use its built-in formula to give you the result. The calculator will give you a clear volume estimate in different units which include: 

• Cubic feet
• Cubic yards
• Cubic meters 
• Number of pre-mixed concrete bags 

Use the Result for Ordering Concrete

You get the final result from that you can use to order the concrete from any supplier. 

 

If you order ready-mix concrete, you use the cubic yards value.

If you use bagged concrete, you follow the bag count the calculator shows. 

 

Do not forget to add some extra percentage of concrete. It is necessary for every project to cover up the wastage or uneven surfaces.

Case Study Highlighting the Use of the Concrete Stairs Calculator

Central Foundation Boys’ School in London underwent a major redevelopment process in the school to improve its external spaces and circulation routes. As part of this project, the design team gave the idea of stepped concrete seating and stairs that could work both as a staircase and as a seating area for students.

 

Shay Murtagh Evans Concrete delivered precast concrete units for seating, stairs, an amphitheatre, and wall cladding. They highlighted that the stairs’ elements had to fit together accurately with proper riser height, tread depth, and consistent geometry for safety and comfort.

 

A concrete stair calculator supported this process by giving accurate concrete estimation for architectural dimensions that can be used for:

 

• Precast unit design
• Formwork layout
• Concrete ordering and scheduling

 

In a school project where students use the stairs every day, a consistent building structure with proper dimensions is necessary. The calculator used in such planning is important to finalize a structure. Accurate stair geometry and consistent dimensions are critical. 

 

To conclude, concrete stairs look simple, but the planning behind them is very detailed and requires proper care and the correct quantity of concrete material to give them a final look. 

 

The process of building stairs is difficult, but the more difficult thing is to idealize the total material used in this work. Our project can go bad when we totally rely on guessing and rough estimation; this is why it is always a must to use helpful tools like concrete stairs calculators to ease your construction and material ordering process. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are concrete stair calculators useful for precast stairs as well?

Yes. Concrete stairs calculators can also be used for precast stairs. The calculator can estimate volumes for unit design and material planning.

 

Can I use a stair calculator for spiral or curved stairs?

Yes you can but it is better to find a calculator that supports spiral or circular stairs. If you do not find that, then you can also use a normal stairs calculator.