# Deck and porch stairs

> Stringers, landings and outside steps. Ask with your Sheet attached: homeowners who’ve done it and verified pros answer, and anyone can read it.

## Before you ask

The total rise, the run you have, and what the stairs land on.

- **Attach your Sheet** so people see your sizes and the math.
- **Your town is enough.** Never your address; check photos for house numbers and plates.
- **Is it safe?** A safety question here goes to pros verified in general contracting or carpentry, unless you pick another trade. Only they can call it safe or unsafe.

## Build deck or porch stairs

Stairs for a 3′ rise: 5 risers of 7-3/16″, 4 treads and 3 stringers (2×12 × 8′), checked against the stair code.

What people get wrong:

- **Forgetting to drop the stringer.** The bottom step ends up 1″ taller than the rest.
- **Measuring the rise at the deck edge.** Ground slopes.
- **Over-cutting the notches.** Running the circular saw past the line cuts into the stringer’s strength.

[The worked example, every line's math and the code notes](https://studsheet.com/sheets/stairs) · [Your own sizes in the app](https://app.studsheet.com/p/stairs)

## More in Stairs

- [Interior and basement stairs](https://studsheet.com/forum/interior-stairs): Building and fixing stairs inside the house
- [Concrete steps](https://studsheet.com/forum/concrete-steps): Pouring and facing concrete steps
- [Steel and spiral stairs](https://studsheet.com/forum/steel-and-spiral-stairs): Steel, spiral and floating stairs
- [Railings and guards](https://studsheet.com/forum/railings): Deck, stair and balcony railings: wood, metal and glass
- [Every group](https://studsheet.com/forum#every-group)

## How the community works

- **Open to read** from anywhere, no account needed.
- **Sign in with your email** to ask, answer and vote. No password.
- **The best answers rise:** votes, “worked for me” and a solved mark. Verified pros carry a badge.

Questions? Write to [support@studsheet.com](mailto:support@studsheet.com).