Planning · 5 min read
How to Measure for Replacement Stair Treads
Get tread depth, width, and nosing right the first time — including how to handle out-of-square stairwells.
StairSupplies Craftsmen5 min read
Replacement treads succeed or fail on three measurements: width (side to side), depth (nose to riser), and thickness.
Measure every step
Stairwells are rarely square. Measure width at both the nose and the back of each tread — record the larger number and plan to scribe-cut on site.
Nosing overhang
Most codes want a 3/4" to 1-1/4" nosing overhang. If you're capping existing treads, account for the added thickness at the top and bottom step — code limits riser-height variance to 3/8".
