What is a landing and why does it matter?
A landing is a flat, level platform at the top, bottom or intermediate points of a ramp. Landings give users a place to rest, turn, open doors and recover control if they start to lose balance. Without properly sized landings, even a ramp that meets the 1:12 slope rule can be difficult or unsafe to use.
ADA and IBC treat landings as an integral part of an accessible route, not an optional add-on. That means landings have their own minimum dimensions and clearance rules, separate from the ramp runs that connect them.
Where are landings required?
Landings are required wherever a user needs a flat space to stop or change direction. At ramps, ADA/IBC typically require landings in these locations:
- At the bottom of each ramp run — the transition from floor or sidewalk onto the ramp.
- At the top of each ramp run — before continuing along a corridor, entering a door, or starting the next run.
- At intermediate breaks in rise — whenever the total rise exceeds 30 in, so that no individual run rises more than 30 in.
- Where the ramp changes direction — for example, at 90° turns or 180° switchback turns.
Minimum landing size and clear width
ADA requires landings to be at least as wide as the ramps they serve and long enough in the direction of travel to allow a wheelchair user to stop and maneuver comfortably.
- Landings must be at least 60 in (1525 mm) long in the direction of travel.
- The landing width must be at least the clear ramp width — typically 36 in minimum between handrails, often more in practice.
- Landings must be level, with slopes no steeper than 1:48 (≈ 2%) in any direction for drainage.
- Landings at doors must also provide required maneuvering clearances on the latch and hinge sides, which may increase the effective landing size beyond 60 in.
Turning space at 90° and switchback landings
When a ramp changes direction, the landing has to function both as a resting platform and as a turning space. The geometry of that landing must allow a wheelchair to complete the turn without backing into handrails, guards or walls.
- For a 90° turn, a landing that is 60 in by 60 in is typically sufficient, provided the ramp runs do not encroach into the turning area.
- For a 180° switchback, you often need a landing that is longer than 60 in so that a wheelchair can make the reversal without bumping into the opposite handrail.
- Handrails and guards should not project into the required turning space more than allowed by ADA and IBC.
- Any doors that open onto a turning landing must not swing into the required turning space.
How this relates to the calculator
The ADA Ramp Calculator uses these landing rules when it breaks your ramp into segments and reports how many landings you need. Based on your total rise, configuration and available run, the tool:
- Ensures that no single run exceeds 30 in of rise without an intermediate landing.
- Counts the required landings at the top and bottom of the ramp and at any intermediate breaks in rise.
- Flags configurations where there is not enough space for a 60 in landing or turning space at 90°/180° changes in direction.
- Mirrors these requirements in the summary, checklist and general notes so that your drawings and specifications reflect compliant landings.
When you adjust the total rise, number of turns or available run, the landing count and warnings update automatically so you can see the impact on geometry before you commit to a layout.
This guide is a simplified summary of selected ADA 2010 and IBC 2021 ramp landing provisions. Always verify requirements with the adopted codes in your jurisdiction and the local building official.