The base of a ladder should be about what fraction of the ladder's vertical height away from the wall?

The base of a ladder should be about what fraction of the ladder's vertical height away from the wall?

• A. 1/4
• B. 1/3
• C. 1/2
• D. 1/5

Answer: (A)

To keep a ladder stable, use the 4:1 rule: place the base about one quarter of the ladder’s vertical height away from the wall. This puts the ladder at roughly a 75-degree angle, which offers a good balance between reach and stability. If you set the base closer to the wall than that, the ladder becomes too steep and is more prone to tipping or slipping at the feet. If you set it farther away, the angle is too shallow and the ladder can slide out from under you. So, the base distance should be about one quarter of the ladder’s height to maintain a safe, stable setup.

To keep a ladder stable, use the 4:1 rule: place the base about one quarter of the ladder’s vertical height away from the wall. This puts the ladder at roughly a 75-degree angle, which offers a good balance between reach and stability. If you set the base closer to the wall than that, the ladder becomes too steep and is more prone to tipping or slipping at the feet. If you set it farther away, the angle is too shallow and the ladder can slide out from under you. So, the base distance should be about one quarter of the ladder’s height to maintain a safe, stable setup.