Stairs may be in a "straight run", leading from one floor to another without a turn or change in direction. Stairs may change direction, commonly by two straight flights connected at a ° angle landing. Stairs may also return onto themselves with ° angle landings at each end of straight flights forming a vertical stairway commonly used in multistory and highrise buildings. Many variations of geometrical stairs may be formed of circular, elliptical and irregular constructions.

Straight stairs can have a mid-landing incorporated, but it is probably more common to see stairs that use a landing or winder to produce a bend in the stairs. A straight flight with a mid-landing will require a lot of straight length, and may be more commonly found in large commercial buildings. "L" shaped stairways have one landing and usually a change in direction by °. "U" shaped stairs may employ a single wider landing for a change in direction of °, or two landings for two changes in direction of ° each. A "Z" shaped staircase incorporates two opposite ° turns, creating a shape similar to that of the letter "Z" if seen from above. Use of landings and a possible change of direction have the following effects: