FiveStair

Will a stairlift fit my stairs?

Enter the stair width, the steps and the user's weight: see at once which lift types fit, which need a survey and why, based on published maker limits.

Shape of the stairs
cm

The narrowest point, wall to banister.

cm
cm
kg

Stairs 85 cm wide, user up to 85 kg

  • Straight stairliftFits

    Width 85 cm is comfortable for most models (about 74 cm or more).

  • Standing or perch stairliftFits

    Width 85 cm is enough for a standing lift (rule of thumb 68 cm).

  • Curved stairliftFits

    Your stairs are straight: a straight stairlift is usually simpler and cheaper.

  • Home lift (through-floor)Fits

    Needs a spot downstairs and upstairs of about 1.05 × 0.81 m and a hole through the floor.

  • Portable stair climberFits

    A trained carer must operate it on every trip.

  • Wheelchair platform liftNeeds a survey

    Width 85 cm is tight for a wheelchair platform (platforms are 750–800 mm wide; about 90 cm needed).

  • Vertical platform lift (step lift)Needs a survey

    Lift height 260 cm: taller platform lifts (up to about 305 cm) usually need an enclosure; a home lift is often simpler.

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Every result needs a free survey by the installer to confirm. Nothing here is a quote.

How wide do stairs need to be for a stairlift?

There is no single legal minimum. Age UK Mobility says it is highly unlikely that a home's main staircase is too narrow for a compact stairlift. Makers publish their own figures; for example, Acorn states 66 cm (26 in) for its straight Acorn 130 and about 70 cm (27.5 in) for its curved Acorn 180, so that the user can swivel comfortably. Retailers commonly quote 74–86 cm for a comfortable fit.

Stair widthWhat usually fits
74 cm or moreMost seated stairlifts, straight or curved
66–74 cmCompact seated models
60–66 cmSlim or perch models; a survey decides
under 60 cmStanding lifts, stair climbers or a home lift

How steep can the stairs be?

Many straight stairlifts are rated for stairs up to about 50–55° (for example, the Handicare 1100 up to 50°), and some curved models to 56° or more. The international standard for stairlifts, ISO 9386-2, covers rails up to 75°. Most home stairs are well within this.

Weight limits

Many standard stairlifts carry 125–140 kg; heavy-duty models go higher. Check the maker's limit for the user, and remember it can be lower on steeper stairs.

Next step

The 3D planner adds the top and bottom of the stairs, doors and turns, and shows the lift riding on your staircase.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum stair width for a stairlift?

There is no legal minimum. Compact straight models need about 66 cm (Acorn states 66 cm for its 130), curved ones a little more, and slimmer or perch models can work on narrower stairs after a survey.

Can people still walk up the stairs with a stairlift?

Yes. The seat, arms and footrest fold, leaving most of the width free; the narrower the stairs, the more it matters to choose a slim model.

What is the maximum stair angle for a stairlift?

Many straight models go up to about 50–55°, some curved ones higher. ISO 9386-2 covers up to 75°. Very steep stairs need a survey.

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