Design Rules Ramps & Accessibility

Accessible Ramp — Preferred Slope

Preferred (gentler) ramp slope
See also📖 IS 4963🔗 IS 4963🧮 RCC Design📒 Handbook
1:20
(5%)
1:205%RUNRISEPREFERRED — RAMP PROFILE
Primary value1:20 (5%)
Applies toNew public building entries · Hospital ramps · Long ramps (>3 m rise)
ExceptionsMaximum allowed1:12
Measured asVertical rise per horizontal run.
SourceIS 4963Section 5
📚 Cross-referenced
Why this matters

1:20 is comfortable for both wheelchair users and elderly/infirm pedestrians. It's the gold-standard slope when space permits and is required for very long ramps where 1:12 would be exhausting.

Typical practice

Hospitals, museums, and government buildings increasingly target 1:20 for the entry ramp. Requires more horizontal length but gives a much better user experience.

← All Thumbrules