In the case of the five-riser stair we’re calculating here, you have four treads. Using an approximate tread length of 10 to 11 inches, estimate your landing point.

I never cut notches in my wood stair stringers. I created 1/2-inch-deep mortises in my 2x12s to preserve the strength of the stringers. These mortises take much more time to create, which is why ...