Distance between handrail and wall: What is important and why does it matter?

The distance between the handrail and the wall may seem like a small detail at first glance, but it is crucial for the safety and usability of staircases. A properly installed wall handrail ensures that people can hold on securely while ascending or descending, especially children, elderly individuals, or those with limited mobility.

In addition to grip safety, building regulations and standards must also be observed, as they specify clear requirements for minimum distances. These ensure that stairways are both functional and safe, whether in private homes or public buildings.

How much distance should there be between the handrail and the wall?

According to common recommendations, the handrail should be mounted so that there is enough space between it and the wall to allow for a secure grip. Generally, guidelines refer to a minimum distance of about 5 centimeters. This serves as a rule of thumb to ensure safe handling, though it may not always be implemented exactly.

The actual wall distance also depends on the design of the handrail brackets and the diameter of the handrail itself. Therefore, the measured distance may be slightly smaller in practice without compromising safety.

Why is the distance between handrail and wall important?

A sufficient wall distance allows the hand to comfortably and securely grasp the handrail. If the distance is too small, fingers may hit the wall; if it is too large, the handrail feels awkwardly far away. The correct spacing ensures comfort, safety, and smooth hand movement, especially important on longer stairways or in public buildings.

What role do handrail brackets play?

Handrail brackets largely determine the mounting distance between the handrail and the wall. They are designed to provide a stable hold while maintaining the necessary clearance for the hand. Depending on the model, the distance from the wall to the center of the handrail is usually 65, 70, or 75 millimeters.

These measurements are widely used in practice and are considered a safe standard. However, the actual usable distance is slightly smaller, as the handrail diameter must be taken into account.

How is the distance from the handrail to the wall calculated?

To determine the actual spacing, subtract half of the handrail’s diameter from the stated bracket measurement (wall to center of handrail).
This gives the effective clearance, the space the hand has when gripping the rail.

Example calculation:

• Wall-to-center distance (bracket): 65 mm

• Handrail diameter: 45 mm

• Half of the diameter: 22.5 mm

• 65 mm − 22.5 mm = 42.5 mm effective wall distance

This means that even if the full 5 cm distance is not achieved mathematically, it still falls within a common and standard-compliant range. In practice, wall distances between 40 and 45 mm offer a secure and comfortable grip and are widely accepted in professional staircase construction.

Are there fixed regulations or just recommendations?

In Germany, the specifications for wall distance are based on DIN 18065 and comparable building standards. These define minimum values but allow technical tolerances since brackets and handrail diameters vary by manufacturer. The key factor is not the exact numerical value, but that the handrail is ergonomically accessible and securely installed.

Conclusion: The correct distance ensures safety and comfort

A wall handrail should be mounted in a way that it is both stable and easy to grip. Guidelines such as the 5 cm distance serve as a helpful reference but must be evaluated alongside the actual bracket measurements.
Brackets with 65 mm distance to the handrail center typically result in an effective wall gap of around 42–45 mm, a value proven in practice to offer high safety and user comfort.