How to Measure Concrete for Stairs: A Complete Guide!

Concrete stairs are durable, safe, and long-lasting — but only if they’re poured with the right amount of material. Estimating concrete for stairs can seem confusing at first, because unlike slabs or columns, a staircase has multiple rises and treads that form a stepped shape.

Why Measuring Concrete for Stairs Matters ?

Ordering too little concrete stops your work midway. Ordering too much wastes money.
A staircase contains several triangular sections, so the most reliable way to estimate concrete is by calculating the volume of the steps and then adding a wastage margin.

Basic Terms You Need to Understand.

Before calculating, note these four measurements:

Tread (T): The horizontal part where you step.
Riser (R): The vertical height between one step and the next.
Step Width (W): Total width of the stairway.
Number of Steps (N): Total count of risers.

These values are enough to calculate concrete volume.

Step-by-Step Method to Measure Concrete for Stairs

Step 1: Measure Riser, Tread, Width & Number of Steps

Use a tape measure and confirm all steps are uniform.
For accurate calculations, convert all measurements to meters.

Example:

Riser = 150 mm = 0.15 m
Tread = 250 mm = 0.25 m
Width = 900 mm = 0.9 m
Steps = 6

Step 2: Calculate the Volume of One Step

Each step is essentially a triangular prism.

Formula:

Volume of One Step = (Riser × Tread × Width) ÷ 2

This formula works because the cross section of each step is a right-angle triangle.

Step 3: Multiply By Number of Steps

Total Step Volume = Volume of One Step × Number of Steps

This gives the combined concrete volume of all steps.

Step 4: Add Landing Volume (If Present)

If there is a landing:

Landing Volume = Length × Width × Thickness

Then add it to the stair volume.

Step 5: Add 5–10% Wastage

Construction always needs a little extra concrete to compensate for:

Formwork gaps
Surface leveling
Spillage
Compaction loss

A 10% margin is the safest.

Worked Example: Concrete for a 6-Step Staircase

Given:

Riser (R) = 0.15 m
Tread (T) = 0.25 m
Width (W) = 0.9 m
Steps (N) = 6

Step Volume

= (0.15 × 0.25 × 0.9) ÷ 2
= 0.016875 m³ per step

Total Stair Volume

= 0.016875 × 6
= 0.10125 m³

Add 10% Extra

= 0.10125 × 1.10
= 0.111 m³

Final Concrete Required ≈ 0.11 m³

This method works for almost all straight cast-in-situ concrete stairs.

Shortcut Formula (Quick Estimation)

If you want to estimate instantly:

Concrete (m³) = Number of Steps × Riser × Tread × Width ÷ 2

This gives a very close approximation.

Tips for Accurate Concrete Measurement

Always measure in meters for consistency.
Ensure all risers and treads are equal; uneven steps change the volume.
For heavy-duty stairs, check if extra thickness or waist slab depth is required.
Confirm if the design includes side walls, stringers, or landings — add their volume separately.