Stair riser height is one of the most important safety and comfort factors in any staircase. In Queensland, residential stairs must comply with the National Construction Code (NCC).
### Key NCC Requirements (Residential)
While you should always check the latest NCC and any local council requirements, these are the commonly applied limits for private residential stairs:
- Maximum riser height is generally 190 mm
- Minimum riser height is typically 115 mm
- Consistency is critical — all risers in a flight should be the same height (small tolerances are allowed)
The “going” (tread depth) also has minimum requirements, and the relationship between riser and going affects how comfortable the stairs feel.
### Why Riser Height Matters
- Too high → stairs feel steep and tiring
- Too low → stairs become long and can feel awkward
- Inconsistent risers → increased trip risk
### Practical Advice When Ordering
1. Measure your total rise carefully.
2. Divide by a comfortable riser height (many people aim for 160–180 mm).
3. Adjust the number of risers until both the individual riser height and the going are within acceptable ranges.
4. Choose matching timber risers in the same species and thickness as your treads.
If you’re replacing an existing staircase, try to keep the same number of risers if possible — this usually makes the job simpler.
Need help checking your measurements against the rules? Send us your total rise and available run and we can assist.