# ADA Compliant Ramp

An **ADA-compliant ramp** is a ramp that meets the **2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design**, providing an accessible route for people with disabilities. A walking surface with a slope steeper than **1:20 (5%)** is treated as a ramp and must meet the ramp requirements.

## Main Requirements

- **Maximum slope:** 1:12
- **Minimum clear width:** 36 inches
- **Maximum rise per run:** 30 inches
- **Level landings:** required at the top and bottom
- **Handrails on both sides:** required when the ramp rise is more than 6 inches
- **Surface:** must be firm, stable, and slip-resistant

For every **1 inch of rise**, you need at least **12 inches of ramp run**. So a rise of **24 inches** would need about **24 feet of ramp length**, plus required landings.

> These ADA standards are the federal minimum for covered public facilities and commercial spaces. Local building codes may add further requirements.

## ADA Ramp Checklist

- **Slope:** no steeper than 1:12. Anything steeper than 1:20 is treated as a ramp, not just a walkway.
- **Clear width:** 36 inches minimum.
- **Rise per run:** 30 inches maximum before another landing/run is required.
- **Landings:** required at the top and bottom of every run; must be at least as wide as the ramp and 60 inches long minimum. If the ramp changes direction, the landing must be 60 × 60 inches minimum.
- **Handrails:** required when a ramp run rises more than 6 inches; must be on both sides with gripping surface at 34–38 inches high. Must extend 12 inches minimum beyond the top and bottom run onto the landing.
- **Cross slope:** ramp runs cannot slope sideways more than 1:48.
- **Edge protection:** required along ramp runs and landings, typically by an extended surface, curb, or barrier.

> **Note:** These are federal ADA minimums for covered public accommodations, commercial facilities, and state/local government facilities. State or local building codes may impose stricter requirements.