Step 1: Determine the Total Rise of the Stairs

Using a level on the deck as a guide, measure from the bottom of the level to the grounds surface at the end of the finished staircase. You will need to estimate where the end of the final staircase will most likely be (Total Run). To estimate this location, estimate the number of stair treads and multiply by 11 inches. Here we estimate four stair treads.

Terms

Rise is the vertical distance from the surface of one step to the surface of the next step.

The Total Rise is the total vertical distance from the top surface of the deck to the bottom of the finished stairs.

Note: You can't find the rise simply by measuring straight down from the deck, because the ground directly below may not be level with the end of the stairs.

Run is the horizontal distance from the leading edge of one step to the leading edge of the next step

The Total Run is the total horizontal distance covered by the staircase, from the edge of the deck to the finished edge of the stairs.