Ladder Height

To ensure you choose the ladder best suited to your needs, follow the Werner height safety chart. The highest permitted standing level on a step ladder is two steps down from the top. A person standing higher may lose their balance and fall. A person’s maximum safe reaching height is approximately 4' higher than the height of the ladder. For example, a typical person can safely reach an 8' ceiling on a 4' ladder*.

 

Extension Ladders

Extension ladders should be 7 to 10 feet longer than the highest support or contact point, which may be the wall or roof line. This will allow enough length for proper setup, the overlap of ladder sections, height restrictions of the highest standing level, and where appropriate, the extension of the ladder above the roof line. The highest standing level is four rungs down from the top.

 

STEP LADDER REACH GUIDE
Ladder HeightMaximum Reach*
4'8'
6'10'
7'11'
8'12'
10'14'
12'16'
14'18'
16'20'
EXTENSION LADDER REACH GUIDE
Ladder HeightMaximum Reach*Height to Gutter or Top Support Point++
16'15'9' maximum
20'19'9' to 13'
24'23'13' to 17'
28'27'17' to 21'
32'31'21' to 25' 
36'34'25' to 28'
40'37'28' to 31'
APPROXIMATE MATERIAL WEIGHTS
Portable Sprayer20 lbs.
Ceiling Fan30 lbs.
Tool Box with Tools35 lbs.
Garage Door Opener40 lbs.
5 Gallons of Paint60 lbs.
Basketball Hoop60 lbs.
Bundle of Shingles70 lbs.
5 Gallons of Roof Coating70 lbs.
3x4 Window80 lbs.
Sheet of Plywood80 lbs.
(3) 4x4's80 lbs.

* Assumes a 5'6" person with a 12" reach
++Support points for extension ladders reflect section overlap, ladder angle, or 3' extension above roof line.