---
title: Riser
description: "## Riser –  The vertical component of a step. The [treads](/docs/tread/) rests on the risers. Each step is composed of the tread and riser. A staircase or a section of stairs will have 1 more riser than [tread](/docs/tread/) since there is…"
url: "https://www.stairrunnerstore.com/docs/riser/"
updated: "2026-09-22"
category: Glossary
tags:
  - calculate runner length
  - Staircase Glossary
---

# Riser

## Riser –  The vertical component of a step.

The [treads](/docs/tread/) rests on the risers. Each step is composed of the tread and riser.

A staircase or a section of stairs will have 1 more riser than [tread](/docs/tread/) since there is one at the bottom and another at the top before reaching a landing or 2nd floor hall. (the landing nose or hall/floor nose rests on the top riser.)

![Riser –  The vertical component of a step, stair riser, stair parts, stair terminology, Stair Runner glossary riser](https://eayei6t27mg.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/glossary-riser.jpg?strip=all&resize=228%2C228)
Riser –  The vertical component of a step.

We refer to stair counts as the number of treads/number of risers. Example: a single run on a straight staircase with 12 treads has 13 risers. When there is a landing or other break within the staircase, the thread/riser counts should be broken down by each flight or run. If those 12 treads were instead split into 2 sections like the following example -  your 2 sections might be 5 treads/6 risers + 7 treads/8 risers OR a total of 12 treads and14 risers. This is important when calculating linear footage required.

### *The total number of risers is always greater than the total number of treads.*

Other Stair Components:

[Nosing](https://www.stairrunnerstore.com/docs/nosing/)

[Tread](https://www.stairrunnerstore.com/docs/tread/)

[Landing](https://www.stairrunnerstore.com/docs/landing/)

Return to [GLOSSARY](https://www.stairrunnerstore.com/docs-category/glossary/)