Spindle Spacing Calculator
Are you planning a new staircase? It is important to ensure you buy the correct number of spindles that are required for your staircase. Use our simple spindle spacing calculator below to find out how many spindles you need to buy depending on your chosen spindle design and the measurements of your stairs and landing.
We also provide a straightforward balustrade calculator to work out the correct spindle spacing for open tread stairs and landing balustrades. Find out what stair spindles are available from Jackson Woodturners, the number of spindles you require, and the correct spindle spacing for your stairs.
Are you unsure which spindle design to choose? Read our guide to the different types of spindles here.
Use our Spindle Spacing Calculator
Our spindle spacing calculator is the perfect way to work out exactly how many spindles you need to buy to get the right amount for any length of stairs or landing. Unsure how to measure the going of your flight & landing? View our diagrams below to see exactly what this means. Just be sure to add both the stairs and flight lengths, as well as any small corners to make sure you purchase enough!
Use the calculations for wooden spindles
At Jackson Woodturners, we supply 2 sizes of wooden spindles. Wooden spindles are generally larger than black metal spindles, as they need to be thicker to make them stable enough to withstand any impacts or damage. These calculations are the perfect way to get the correct wooden spindle spacing, and can be used for both the landing and the stairs.
If you buy turned spindles, these will have thinner and thicker areas that you need to take account of. Because the maximum allowed distance between any part of the spindles is 99mm, we need to measure from the thinnest part of the spindle, which makes for a smaller space between them.
Use the calculations for black metal spindles
Metal or black metal spindles will generally be much thinner than wooden spindles, as they are extremely strong and durable which allows for the smaller size. While you can use the calculator above to work out how many black metal spindles you need, you can also work it out yourself using the calculations below.
For All Black Metal Spindles
(Going of flight & landing) ÷ 105 for a black metal spindle
A cut string staircase is where the base rail of the stairs has been cut to match the profile of the steps, rather than hiding the profile with a single straight rail running all the way down the stairs. This affects your spindles, as you’ll need two different lengths to alternate between to fit the changing height of the base.
How to calculate spindle spacing for diminishing staircases
A diminishing staircase is where the handrail starts as normal at the bottom of the stairs, but ends at the underside of the ceiling rather than going through the floors to end at a newel post at the end of the staircase. Because the ceiling provides a flat end, diminishing staircases must use progressively smaller spindles until the ceiling is reached.
To calculate how many spindles you will need, simply measure the going of the landing until the point that the staircase is completely enveloped by the ceiling. You can then use our spindle spacing calculator above as usual, using this as the going measurement. You will need to cut down the spindles to size however, which will make extra work.
Calculating spindle spacing for landing balustrades
Where there are no stair treads to guide you and you have a horizontal balustrade across a landing, simply measure the going of the landing and use the balustrade calculator above to work out the number of spindles you need based on the size you’re using.
Spindle spacing building regulations
The maximum allowed space in between stair spindles is 99mm to ensure that nobody, including children, will be able to fall in between the spindles. This includes any design features such as indents, so the way to test this is that a 100mm sphere should not be able to pass between the widest point of the spindles.
As with the staircase balustrade, the maximum spacing between spindles on a landing balustrade is 99mm. Use our balustrade calculator to ensure that you meet all regulations.
Our spindle widths
At Jacksons, we produce stair spindles in the following sizes:
You can find out more about planning a new staircase by visiting our advice centre.
If you’re looking for specific information on spindles, read our guide to spindles here.
If you have any questions at all, please contact the team on 0114 272 1228 or email [email protected].
Spindle Spacing Calculator FAQs
Does the angle of the flight of stairs affect spindle calculation?
The angle of the flight of stairs won’t affect how many spindles you’ll need. The reason for this is because we use the going of the flight to measure how many will be needed. As long as your spindles are spaced just under 100mm apart, it doesn’t matter how high the angle is because they’ll still be that far apart!
How do I work out how many spindles I need?
Our spindle spacing calculator will tell you exactly how many spindles you need based on the going of the stairs, how many treads you have, or the spindle size and type. Simply enter these details, and we’ll tell you how many spindles you need.
How do you install spindles?
To install spindles, simply mark each position one will sit by using our calculator above before placing them into the groove of the base rail. Secure in place with the screws provided before placing the handrail on top. Secure this into the groove with more screws, and your work is done!
For more information on stair spindles and tips on how to install and maintain them, read our Guide to Stair Spindles.