Wheelchair Ramp Cost Calculator
ADA-compliant ramp length, landings and installed cost from the height you need to climb.
Updated · How we check our maths
- Estimated installed cost
- $3,900 – $7,200
- Ramp run (sloped part)
- 24 ft
- Landings (5 × 5 ft)
- 2 (top, bottom)
- Total length incl. landings
- ≈ 34 ft
- Minimum clear width
- 36 in between handrails
- Handrails
- Required on both sides (rise over 6 in)
Quick answer
An ADA ramp needs 1 foot of ramp for every inch of rise (1:12 slope), plus a 5 × 5 ft landing at the top and bottom and a rest landing every 30 inches of rise. Installed ramps typically cost $100–$250 per linear foot: aluminum $130–$225, wood $100–$250, concrete $200–$250. A 24-inch rise needs a 24 ft ramp and costs roughly $4,000–$8,000 with landings.
What the Wheelchair Ramp Cost Calculator does
Enter how high you need to climb and choose a slope and material. The calculator works out the ramp length under ADA guidance, how many landings you need, and an installed price range. Gentler slopes (1:16 or 1:20) are easier for people self-propelling a manual wheelchair but need a longer ramp.
Short rises of a few inches can often be solved with a threshold ramp ($50–$450), and modular aluminum ramps can be rented or resold.
The formula
Ramp run (ft) = rise (in) × slope ratio ÷ 12; at 1:12 that is 1 ft per inch. Landings = 2 + one rest landing per 30 in of rise. Cost = run × price per foot + landings.
Worked example
A 30-inch rise at 1:12: 30 ft of ramp, 2 landings. Aluminum at $130–$225/ft plus landings: about $4,700–$8,550.
How to use the Wheelchair Ramp Cost Calculator
- Measure the rise from the ground to the doorway threshold.
- Pick the slope — 1:12 is the ADA maximum.
- Choose a material and your local price level.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a wheelchair ramp need to be?
At the ADA 1:12 slope, 1 foot for every inch of rise — a 20-inch step needs a 20-foot ramp, plus landings.
Do I need a permit for a wheelchair ramp?
Permanent ramps often need a building permit; modular aluminum ramps sometimes don't. Check with your local building department.
Is aluminum or wood better?
Aluminum is low-maintenance, quick to install and reusable; wood can be cheaper and blends with a porch but needs sealing and upkeep.
Does insurance cover a wheelchair ramp?
Medicare generally doesn't; Medicaid waivers, VA grants and local nonprofits sometimes help.
Results are estimates for planning and learning. Check important figures with a qualified professional. How we build and check our calculators.