How Tall Should Balusters Be?

Balusters don’t have one standard height. They fill the space between the tread or floor and the bottom of the handrail, so the handrail height decides how tall they are. On stairs, code puts the top of the handrail 34″ to 38″ above the front edge of the steps. On balconies and landings, the railing must be at least 36″ tall in most homes. Most of our iron balusters come 44″ long, and you cut each one to fit.

By Douglas Lovin, owner of Cheap Stair Parts, 20+ years in stair parts · Updated 10/21/26

Railing Height Requirements

Where	Railing height	In mm
Stairs (measured from the front edge of the treads)	34″ to 38″	864 to 965 mm
Balconies, landings and lofts (homes)	36″ minimum	914 mm minimum
Commercial buildings	42″ minimum	1067 mm minimum

These are the common requirements in the International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code, which most U.S. cities follow. Your local code can be stricter, so check with your building department. Gaps between balusters must also be small enough that a 4″ ball can’t pass through. See our handrail code guide and staircase building codes for more.

Typical Baluster Heights

• Stairs: each tread usually gets three balusters, and each one is a different length because the handrail runs uphill. On a typical staircase they come out to roughly 31″ to 39″.
• Balconies and landings: with a 36″ railing, balusters are usually around 34″, since the handrail itself takes up the last couple of inches.
• What you buy: most of our iron balusters are 44″ long, with some styles from 46″ up to about 52″ for taller railings. That leaves room to cut each one to fit.

How to Measure Baluster Height

1. Mark where each baluster goes on the tread or floor. See our baluster spacing guide for the layout.
2. At each mark, measure straight up from the tread to the bottom of the handrail. Measure every spot. Each baluster on a step is a different length.
3. Add 3/4″ to each measurement. That extra length goes up into the handrail hole so you can push the baluster up and drop it into the tread hole.
4. Write the length on the tread with tape so you know which baluster goes where.

Tip: On balusters with a knuckle, basket or other ornament, line them up by the center of the ornament. Mark where you want the center of each ornament to sit, then cut from the top, the bottom or both so every center lines up across the stairs.

For drilling and cutting, see what size hole for balusters and how to install iron balusters.

Will a 44″ Baluster Be Long Enough?

For most stairs and 36″ balconies, yes. If your handrail sits high, like a 42″ railing, measure your longest spot before you order. Some of our styles come in 46″ and longer. Not sure? Contact us with your measurements and we’ll tell you what fits. Shop all iron balusters.