How to use it
- Set the outer diameter and the width of the pillar in the middle (0 for no pillar).
- Choose the steps per turn. More steps make a gentler, taller turn.
- Enter the total number of steps, which is also the height you climb.
- Read the numbers on the plan. Step 1 goes on the first level, step 2 one block higher, and after the last number it starts at 1 again.
How the plan works
The staircase fits inside a circle of the diameter you choose. The cells at the centre are the pillar. All the other cells make up the ring, and the ring is cut into equal wedges, one for every step in a turn. The tool sorts the ring cells by their angle around the centre and divides them evenly, so each wedge has the same number of blocks, give or take one. The wedge with number 1 starts at the top of the plan and the numbers rise in the direction you climb.
Step n is built n - 1 blocks above the first one. After step number S (steps per turn) the wedge for number 1 appears again, one turn higher and directly above the old one. The gap between them is S blocks, which is the headroom of the staircase. That is why the number of steps per turn matters for comfort.
A worked example: the default 7 wide staircase
With a diameter of 7 and a pillar of 1 block, the ring around the pillar has 36 cells. Eight steps per turn split it into wedges of 4 or 5 blocks. Forty steps make five full turns and climb 40 blocks. The pillar needs 40 blocks and the steps need 180, so the total is 220 blocks, 3 stacks and 28 blocks.
A smaller version, 5 wide with the same 8 steps per turn, has a ring of 20 cells. Each step is 2 or 3 blocks wide. Twenty four steps make three turns and need 84 blocks. A wide version, 9 across with a pillar of 3 and 12 steps per turn, has a ring of 60 cells, so each step is exactly 5 blocks wide, and 60 steps need 840 blocks including the thick pillar.
Choosing the numbers
| Outer width | Pillar | Ring cells | Good steps per turn | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 8 | 8 | One block per step. Tightest staircase. |
| 5 | 1 | 20 | 8 | Steps of 2 to 3 blocks. |
| 7 | 1 | 36 | 8 to 12 | Steps of 3 to 5 blocks. Comfortable. |
| 9 | 3 | 60 | 12 | Steps of 5 blocks around a thick pillar. |
As a rule, a step should be at least one block wide and should not be much wider than three or four, or it begins to look like a landing. Divide the number of ring cells by the number of steps per turn to see the average width.
Building it level by level
Move the slider to a step. The highlighted cells are the blocks you place on that level, and the faint ones belong to other steps. Grey cells are the pillar. Build the pillar first as a tower of the full height, then place each step block from the bottom upward. Use stair blocks for the steps so that you can walk up without jumping. Turn each stair block to face the direction you climb. If you prefer full blocks, the staircase still works, but you will have to jump at every step.
Do not forget the entrance and the exit. The first step should sit on the ground level, and the last step should line up with the floor you want to reach. Cut a hole in that floor that is as large as the staircase ring, or at least as large as the cells of the last two or three steps.
Other ideas
- Tower with a hidden stair. Build a cylinder tower around the staircase. Use an odd diameter and put the pillar in the exact centre.
- Open helix. Use a pillar of 0 and a diameter of 5 or 7 for a light staircase that spirals in the air.
- Lighthouse. A wide stairwell, 9 across, inside a tall hollow cylinder, with windows at every second turn.
- Lighting. Put a torch or a lantern on the pillar every four blocks, so that nothing spawns on the steps.
Common mistakes
- Too few steps per turn. With 3 steps per turn the next turn is only 3 blocks above, which leaves just enough room for a player. Use 4 or more.
- Placing the steps in the wrong order. Number 2 is one block higher than number 1, not at the same level. Check the level in the slider.
- No pillar and no wall. Without either, the staircase is only a floating spiral. That is fine for a look, but add rails or fences if you want it safe.
- Mirrored direction. If your staircase turns the wrong way, switch Direction and rebuild.
Related generators
A spiral staircase usually sits inside a tower. The cylinder generator plans the outer wall and the circle generator gives you the floor outline for each level. Add the blocks of the stairs and the walls together, then check the stacks with the stack calculator.
Sources and notes
Player height and block rules follow the game. See the Minecraft Wiki for stack sizes (checked 25 October 2026). The staircase plan is computed by the tool. BlockShapes is not affiliated with Mojang or Microsoft.
Frequently asked questions
How do I build a spiral staircase in Minecraft?
Build a pillar in the middle, then place the steps around it so each one is one block higher than the one before. The tool numbers the cells of the top view. Place number 1 on the first level, number 2 one block higher, and so on. When the numbers run out, start again at 1 one turn higher.
How many steps per turn should I use?
Eight steps per turn works well for a staircase 7 blocks wide. It gives 8 blocks of height per turn, which is plenty of headroom. For a narrow 3 by 3 staircase the ring has only 8 blocks, so 8 steps per turn gives exactly one block per step. For a wide staircase, 12 to 16 steps per turn keeps the steps from becoming too long.
How much headroom do I need?
A player is just under 2 blocks tall. The height of one turn is the number of steps per turn. With 4 or more steps per turn you can walk upward without hitting your head. The tool warns you when you choose fewer.
Can I walk up without jumping?
Yes, if you use stair blocks for the steps and rotate them to face along the direction you climb. If you use full blocks, you will need to jump at every step.
What size is the smallest spiral staircase?
A 3 by 3 staircase with a single pillar block in the middle. The ring around it has 8 blocks, one for each of 8 steps per turn. It needs 32 blocks for 16 steps, and each level has the pillar and one step.
Do I need a pillar?
No. Set the pillar width to 0 and the steps meet in the middle. A pillar looks tidier, and it gives you something to attach rails and lights to, but a pillar-free staircase is open and airy.
Which direction does it turn?
You can choose clockwise or counterclockwise when going up. Step 1 always starts at the top of the picture, so lay your build out with the top of the picture away from you.