Here is a list of all of the basic stair terminology that is used when trying to describe different parts of a staircase.
| Floor To Floor | The distance between the floors where the staircase sits and where the staircase finishes. |
|---|---|
| Tread Rise | The distance between the top of one tread to the top of the next tread measuring vertically. |
| Tread Going | The distance from the front of one riser to the front of the next riser measuring horizontally. |
| Overall Going | The distance between the start of one flight to the end of the flight measuring horizontally. |
| Pitch | The angle at which the staircase climbs. |
| Tread | The horizontal piece that is walked on. |
| Riser | The vertical gap between two treads which is normally filled in with a riser. |
| Nosing | The overhang at the front of each tread, typically 19mm. |
| Top Nosing | The final horizontal piece in the line of treads that sits level with the floor. |
| Stringer | The structural piece down each side of the staircase. |
| Newel Post | The vertical post that holds the balustrade in place, typically found at the bottom & top of the staircase. |
| Spindle | The vertical decorative pole in-between the handrail & baserail. |
| Handrail | The long piece that sits between the newel posts that holds the spindles in place. |
| Baserail | The long piece that sits on top of the string to hold the spindles in place. |
| Bullnose | A bottom tread that has been rounded within the staircase width. |
| Curtail | A bottom tread that has been rounded that extrudes past the width of the staircase. |
| Landing | A square or rectangular platform that helps the staircase perform a turn. |
| Winder | A series of treads that fan out to help the staircase turn through 90 & 180 degrees. |
| Gallery | A continuous balustrade that surrounds & guards an open stair-well. |
| Stair-well | The opening within a floor where the staircase is positioned. |
