Measuring guide for stair lifts. - Stairlift - How to measure for your stair lift

Measuring your stairs for a stair lift is not a difficult job. You will need a tape measure and a pen or pencil to record your measurements. Please print this page for use as a reference throughout the measuring process.

The most important step for stair lift installation is to decide which side of your stairwell you want the stair lift on. To avoid confusion, please stand at the bottom of your stairs and look up. Which side will the stair lift go on, the left or the right? Summit stair lifts can be installed on the same side as the banister and can even be installed where there is no wall because the stair lift attaches to the floor.

Please note that the rail will stop about 14 inches beyond the bottom step and extend 6 inches past the top step. Take caution that this will not interfere with any doorways at the top or bottom of the stairs.

After deciding which side you will mount your stair lift on (looking up from the bottom), please follow these instructions below for accurate measurements. We recommend that you follow the advice to always "measure twice". Please note that all measurements should be recorded in inches.

Measurement 1: This is the most critical measurement. Please stand at the top of stairs and extend your tape measure down to the landing, letting it rest on the edge of each tread along the way. The tape should not sag or bend along the way. Please record the distance from the edge of the upper landing to where the end of the tape measure rests on the floor at the bottom of the stairs. Please refer to the diagram for assistance.
Measurement 2: Please measure from the edge of the upper landing (like Measurement 1) to the edge of the first stair's tread at the bottom. Please refer to the diagram for assistance.
Measurement 3: Please measure the width of your stair's treads. Please refer to the diagram for assistance
Measurement 4: Please measure from the edge of the first stair at the bottom to the wall (or door), if there is one. Please refer to the diagram for assistance.
Measurements 5-7: These are the tread measurements. 5 is how tall the step is, 6 is how wide the tread is, and 7 is the hypotenuse. Please refer to the diagram for assistance.