Answer
How long should a wheelchair ramp be?
One foot of ramp for every inch of rise at the ADA maximum of 1:12: a 21 in rise, about three steps, needs 21 ft. With a level 5 ft landing at the top and bottom, the whole run is 31 ft.
Open the ramp length calculator
Ramp length by rise
| Rise | Ramp | Runs | With top and bottom landings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 6 ft | 1 | 16 ft |
| 7 in | 7 ft | 1 | 17 ft |
| 12 in | 12 ft | 1 | 22 ft |
| 14 in | 14 ft | 1 | 24 ft |
| 18 in | 18 ft | 1 | 28 ft |
| 21 in | 21 ft | 1 | 31 ft |
| 24 in | 24 ft | 1 | 34 ft |
| 30 in | 30 ft | 1 | 40 ft |
| 36 in | 36 ft | 2 | 51 ft |
| 48 in | 48 ft | 2 | 63 ft |
Over 30 in of rise
No run may rise more than 30 in, so a 36 in rise takes 2 runs with a level landing between them: 36 ft of ramp and 51 ft overall in a straight line. A landing where the ramp turns must be 60 × 60 in.
More questions
How much rise is a step?
Measure your own: steps vary. Lay a level board from the threshold and measure down to the ground where the ramp will start.
Does a short ramp need handrails?
Above 6 in of rise, yes: on both sides, 34–38 in high.
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