How Do You Attach a Railing to the Wall?

Attach a wall handrail with handrail brackets screwed into the wall studs, about every 3 to 4 feet, with the top of the rail 34″ to 38″ above the front edge of the steps. At the ends, finish the rail into a rosette on the wall or a returned end. Our wood handrail brackets start at about $4, and rosettes start at $3.95.

By Douglas Lovin, owner of Cheap Stair Parts, 20+ years in stair parts · Updated 10/22/26

What You Need

Part	Price
3002 handrail bracket	$4.06
3003 handrail bracket	$5.18
3004 modern handrail bracket	$22.54
Rosettes, for the ends	From $3.95
Wood handrail	Varies by length and wood

Prices as of October 2026.

How to Install a Wall Handrail

1. Find the studs. Use a stud finder and mark each stud along the stairs. Brackets need to go into studs, not just drywall.
2. Mark the height. Measure 34″ to 38″ straight up from the front edge of a step at the top and bottom of the stairs, and snap a line between them.
3. Mount the brackets. Screw a bracket into a stud near each end and about every 3 to 4 feet between, set so the top of the rail lands on your line.
4. Cut the rail. Cut the ends at the stair angle, or add returned ends so the rail turns back to the wall. See how to find your stair angle.
5. Attach the rail. Set the handrail on the brackets and screw up into it from below.
6. Finish the ends. Mount a rosette on the wall at each end and attach the rail to it. See how to install a wood handrail and rosette.

Wall Handrail Code Basics

• Height: 34″ to 38″ above the front edge of the steps.
• Leave at least 1-1/2″ between the handrail and the wall so hands fit.
• The rail should run the full length of the stairs.

See our handrail code guide for the details, and check with your local building department.