11-Step Stair Stringer: Dimensions, Length & Cut Angle

Eleven steps covers tall walk-outs and interior flights in homes with lower ceilings. Every row is computed by the same engine as our interactive calculator.

Total Rise Rise per Step Total Run Stringer Length Cut Angle
78" (6' 6") 7.09" (7 1/16") 105" 130.8" (130 13/16") 34.0°
79" (6' 7") 7.18" (7 1/8") 105" 131.4" (131 3/8") 34.4°
80" (6' 8") 7.27" (7 1/4") 105" 132.0" (132") 34.7°
81" (6' 9") 7.36" (7 5/16") 105" 132.6" (132 5/8") 35.0°
82" (6' 10") 7.45" (7 7/16") 105" 133.2" (133 1/4") 35.4°
83" (6' 11") 7.55" (7 1/2") 105" 133.8" (133 13/16") 35.7°
84" (7') 7.64" (7 5/8") 105" 134.5" (134 7/16") 36.0°
85" (7' 1") 7.73" (7 11/16") 105" 135.1" (135 1/16") 36.4°

Total run is fixed at 105" for 11 steps with a 10.5" tread: (steps − 1) × tread, because the upper floor or deck acts as the top step. For a different tread depth, total run = 10 × tread.

Rise per step is floored to the nearest 1/16" for framing-square layout. Different total rise? Use the interactive stringer calculator.

When do you need 11 steps?

Eleven steps covers tall walk-outs and interior flights in homes with lower ceilings.

A 11-step stringer covers total rises from 78" (6' 6") to 85" (7' 1") while keeping every riser at or under the IRC maximum of 7¾" (R311.7.5.1). Below 78", use a 10-step stringer; above 85", move to 12 steps.

What board do you need?

The longest stringer in the table is 135.1", so a 12-foot 2×12 covers every case with layout margin. Use solid, straight-grained 2×12 stock — after notching, the remaining "throat" must keep at least 3.5" of material for structural integrity.

Code checkpoints for a 11-step stair

  • Handrail required. 11 risers is at or over the 4-riser threshold — a graspable handrail is required on at least one side (IRC R311.7.8).
  • Guards required. Every total rise in the 11-step range exceeds 30", so open sides of the walking surface need 36" guards (IRC R312.1.1–.2) — see the baluster spacing calculator.
  • Riser uniformity: the largest and smallest riser may differ by no more than 3/8" (IRC R311.7.5.1) — divide total rise by 11 and mark every notch from the same reference edge.
  • Drop the bottom riser by one tread thickness so the first step matches the rest after treads go on.