What Are Ramps Used For? | Access Beyond Stairs

Ramps are sloped surfaces that bridge changes in level, primarily providing wheelchair access where stairs are unusable.

For the full breakdown, see our best Automotive Service Ramps guide.

When you’re in a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, or hauling a hand truck, a single step becomes a wall. That’s where ramps come in. A ramp is simply a sloped walking surface that connects two different levels, and while accessibility is the most common reason they exist, the same basic design solves a surprising range of everyday problems. Understanding what ramps are used for starts with knowing how they’re defined—and why some slopes don’t count.

The Main Job: Bridging Vertical Changes

A ramp’s core purpose is to provide a route between two levels that doesn’t require lifting or climbing. For wheelchair users and people with mobility limitations, they are often the only practical way to enter a building, board a vehicle, or move between floors without an elevator.

Under U.S. accessibility rules, the need for a ramp is triggered by a specific measurement. The U.S. Access Board requires ramps or curb ramps along accessible routes whenever a level change is greater than 1/2 inch. Changes of half an inch or less are considered manageable without a ramp. Where vertical distances are large, elevators—and in some cases platform lifts—serve as alternatives to a long ramp run.

What Actually Counts As A Ramp?

Not every sloped surface is a ramp. The ADA and the U.S. Access Board draw a clear line based on steepness. A walking surface with a running slope steeper than 1:20 (5%) is a ramp. If the slope is 1:20 or less, it’s treated as an ordinary walking surface.

That distinction matters for what’s allowed. In new construction, ramp runs can’t be steeper than 1:12 (roughly 8.3%). Steeper slopes are permitted only in existing facilities where space limitations make compliance impossible, and those exceptions are strictly controlled. Equally important is the cross slope—the side-to-side tilt—which must not exceed 1:48.

Curb ramps are a specific type built where a sidewalk meets a road, providing access across the curb itself, including routes to bus stops and transit boarding areas.

Everyday Uses: Beyond Wheelchair Access

The same principle that helps a wheelchair user enter a building works for plenty of other situations. Portable ramps are movable slopes designed to bridge a limited gap—typically up to two steps—for access to homes and buildings. They’re also used for:

• Vehicles: Loading wheelchairs, scooters, or heavy cargo into vans and trucks
• Strollers and carts: Getting a stroller over a curb or a dolly into a store
• Bicycles: Moving bikes up or down stairs in garages and apartments
• Rough terrain: Crossing uneven ground that would otherwise be impassable

Safety comes down to three things: use the least possible slope for the situation, keep the surface firm and slip-resistant, and make sure the ramp matches the relevant accessibility standard.

Common Mistakes People Make

Three errors show up again and again. The first is assuming any sloped walkway qualifies as a ramp. Under ADA guidance, only surfaces steeper than 1:20 are ramps; anything gentler is a walking surface.

The second is over-steepening. Many people assume a 1:8 slope is fine because it saves space. That steepness is only allowed in limited cases within existing facilities, and even then only when there’s no alternative. For new construction, 1:12 is the ceiling.

The third is ignoring cross slope. A ramp that tilts sideways is just as difficult to navigate as one that’s too steep, which is why ADA guidance caps it at 1:48.

FAQs

At what height do I legally need a ramp?

Under U.S. accessibility rules, a ramp or curb ramp is required wherever an accessible route changes level by more than 1/2 inch. Changes of half an inch or less don’t require a ramp. This applies to public accommodations and facilities covered by the ADA.

Can a ramp be too steep?

Yes. New construction ramps cannot exceed a 1:12 slope, which means 1 foot of rise for every 12 feet of length. Cross slope is also limited to 1:48. Steeper slopes are only allowed in existing facilities under specific space-limitation exceptions.

Are ramps only for wheelchairs?

No. While wheelchair access is the primary purpose, ramps are also used for strollers, carts, bicycles, hand trucks, and any wheeled item that can’t clear a step. Portable ramps are commonly used for vehicle loading and home entry over low steps.