1. Design
Pick a type, the height to climb and the footprint. Gradino proposes the number of treads and the going; you adjust stringers, nosings, risers and guards.
Sketch, pre‑check, export.
Stairs under control from start to finish, in SketchUp.
The SketchUp extension that simplifies stair design for architects: adjust your parameters, watch the 3D update instantly and spot gaps against code thresholds at a glance. The complex work is automated; you keep full control of your drawing.
00 — Three steps
From idea to fabrication sheet.
2. Pre-check Pro
Riser, going, step formula, headroom, width, guards: each value is compared with the threshold of the chosen reference, within or outside it.
3. Deliver Pro
An A4 fabrication sheet with plan, elevation, axonometric view and dimensions, plus a clean layered DXF for the joiner, the steel fabricator or the mason.
01 — Stair types
Endless geometries, one panel.
Each type keeps its own settings. Simple mode shows the essentials; advanced mode opens everything else.
Straight
One flight, with or without a landing.
Quarter turn
Two flights at right angles, landing or winders.
Half turn
Two flights in a U, landing or turn.
Balanced winders Pro
Winders balanced along the walkline.
Helical turn Pro
Continuous turn, stringer following the curve.
Spiral
Central post or open well, round or square outline.
Ship's ladder
Steep pitch for mezzanines and lofts.
02 — Pre-check Pro
Thresholds in view while you draw.
Gradino reads the thresholds of a reference and compares your values continuously. You see at once what falls outside a threshold, and by how much.
Gradino pre-checks: it does not replace reading the code itself, a building inspector's review, or your responsibility as designer.
- Riser height7.0 inwithin threshold
- Tread depth10.5 inwithin threshold
- Width36 inwithin threshold
- Headroom6 ft 4 inoutside threshold
References included
| France | Housing · new public buildings (ERP) · existing ERP |
|---|---|
| United States | IRC (residential) · IBC (other buildings) |
| Spain | CTE DB-SUA · general and restricted use |
| Germany | DIN 18065 · housing and other buildings |
| Italy | DM 236/89 · public and private |
| Custom | Your own thresholds, no reference |
What Gradino does not do
- It does not certify a project or issue any attestation.
- It does not calculate structure: sections, anchors and connections still need sizing.
- It does not cover every special case of a code (specific occupancies, waivers, local amendments).
- It does not follow code changes automatically: check the reference date shown.
03 — Pricing
Free to draw. Pro to deliver.
Free
€0forever
- Straight, quarter turn, half turn, round spiral, ship's ladder
- Stringers, nosings, risers, soffit, baluster guards
- Live derived values: riser, going, step formula, headroom
- Five languages, metric and imperial units
Pro
€49excl. VAT instead of €79 · launch price · one-time purchase, 1 year of updates
- Everything in Free, plus balanced winders and helical turns
- Square or open-well spiral, suspended stair, rail, cable and glass infills
- Live pre-check, five countries
- PDF fabrication sheet, DXF export, quantities, report
Students
Pro for freewhile you study
Architecture, engineering and building schools. One-year Pro licence, renewable, with your school email.
Launch price until 31 March 2027, then €79 excl. VAT. Updates afterwards: €29/year, optional. Agency pack, 5 seats: €299. 14-day money-back guarantee.
04 — Made by an architect, for architects
“In practice, losing half a day drawing and redrawing a stair in SketchUp – only to find that one parameter clashes with the existing building or the code – is deeply frustrating. Gradino was born from that. It automates the tedious modelling and gives you instant visual feedback on code blockers. You save precious time without ever losing control of your drawing.”
Romain G. — architect
05 — Questions
Which SketchUp version do I need?
SketchUp 2021 or later, on Windows or macOS. The free web version of SketchUp does not accept extensions.
Does Gradino guarantee my stair meets the code?
No. Gradino pre-checks key values against the thresholds of a reference. Code compliance of a project is the designer's responsibility and, where applicable, the inspector's.
When can I download Gradino?
The extension is being finalised. Sign up on the “Get notified at launch” page to receive an email when the beta opens.
Which software opens the DXF?
The file is written as AutoCAD 2000, readable by AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Revit, Vectorworks, LibreCAD and most cutting software.
How do I report a bug or a wrong threshold?
Use the “Report” link at the bottom of the panel, or the form at the bottom of this page. Critical feedback is the most useful.