How To Build A Wooden Step Ladder: Easy DIY 2×4 Ladder & Video

EASY DIY guide for how to make a Wooden Step Ladder from 2×4’s. Build a ladder any size. Perfect for a playhouse, loft bunk bed & tiny house.

How To Build A Wooden Step Ladder

Hi guys! I’m back with another DIY project from that big Kids Backyard Playhouse I’ve been working on. And, I have to say, DIY Step Ladder was way easier to build than I expected.

But, there are a few tricks to it. So, if anything in the written steps to build a wooden ladder are confusing, watch the short video for another explanation for getting your angles right.

If you want to see more DIY’s from our backyard, check out this easy, cute, and colorful DIY Kids Climbing Rock Wall or this DIY Swing Set Frame From 4×4’s.

But, don’t worry, this DIY 2×4 ladder isn’t just for backyard builds!

You can follow these steps to build a wooden step ladder for your bunk bed, loft, backyard play set, fort, tiny house or playhouse.

With a little wood filler and paint, this DIY ladder is super cute in a kids room. Let’s start with a quick look at the video.

Easy DIY 2×4 Ladder – Video Steps

I always think it’s easier to understand a project if I can see someone doing it. Here’s a quick, step by step walk through for how to build a ladder.

How to Build a Step Ladder - Make an EASY DIY Ladder for a Playhouse, Loft, or Tiny House

OK, now let’s get to those written steps!

How To Build A Ladder

What You’ll Need

Here’s a list of what you’ll need to make a leaning wooden Ladder.

• Tools: Power Drill and Miter Saw or Circular Saw
• For Exterior Ladders
  • Pressure-Treated 2×4’s
  • 3 1/2″ to 4″ Exterior Deck Screws
  • Exterior Deck Paint or Stain
• For Interior Ladders
  • Untreated 2×4’s, framing studs
  • 3 1/2″ to 4″ Self-Tapping Wood Screws
  • Chalk Paint, Wood Stain, or Latex Paint would all work

Step One

Note: You can see exactly how I mark and cut these angles in the video above.

Start by leaning a 2×4 against the wall where you want to lean your wooden step ladder. I think that makes it easier to decide what angle will be most comfortable for that spot.

Once you have the lean right, put another 2×4 on it’s side, on the floor, against the leaning 2×4. Use a pencil to mark the angle you’ll need to cut on your miter saw.

After marking the angle, line up the cut on your Miter Saw so that the blade will cut along the pencil mark. Be sure to follow safe usage rules for your Miter Saw when making the cut.

If you don’t have a Miter Saw, you can build a small step ladder with a circular saw instead. You’ll have to use a Speed Square to mark your angles.

Step Two

Once the bottom of the ladder is cut, cut the length of that 2×4 so that it’s even with the top of whatever it’s leaning against.

Use another 2×4 laying across the top of the playhouse, loft, bed, or whatever it is to mark that angle cut. You want the top of the ladder even with the top of where it will be installed.

That top angle should be the same as the angle you cut on the bottom too. But, it’s always worth a double-check.

Now that the height is right on your DIY wooden ladder, you need to cut the back of the ladder to get more contact against the wall it leans on.

To do this, I hold a board flat against the spot, then use that board to draw a straight cut line on the side of the 2×4.

Now that you have the first side of your ladder cut and you’ve checked to make sure it’s perfect, you can use that as your template for your cuts to make the other side of the ladder.

Step Three

Use the same angle you used for the bottom of the ladder to mark the steps on your ladder. That will make your steps perfectly level with the floor or ground beneath the DIY ladder.

For a kids ladder keep the steps 9 to 12″ apart, depending on the age of the kids. To build a small step ladder for grown ups, I’d stick with 11 to 13″ spacing. 

You can see an explanation of how I picked the spacing for my ladder steps in the video above.

Basically, I measured the length of my sides and picked a spacing that didn’t leave me with an awkwardly short or long top step.

Step Four

Cut your ladder steps. Around 18″ is a comfortable width for climbing, but you can adjust that for your space. Then screw the steps into place using the marks you made as a guide to keep the steps level.

You can also use 2 scrap blocks cut with your angle to stop the steps from moving while you’re screwing them into place.

Step Five

Paint, stain or seal your ladder, then attach it to the playhouse, fort, loft, or bunk bed you built it for. To attach the ladder, you can carefully screw through the top, front of the ladder sides.

Be sure to pick a screw length that goes deep enough into the wood you are attaching the ladder to to make it secure and sturdy. I’d use 2 screws on each side for this

OR, you can do what I did, and attach a 2×4 between the 2 sides, then screw the sides into that 2×4. I thought that would provide the strongest connection for me. But, if done correctly, either way can work. 🙂

That’s it for how to make a ladder with 2×4’s, keep scrolling for a printable version of these instructions.

More Pics from this Build

Some more finished pictures the DIY wooden step ladder I made for our playhouse.

That’s it for how to build a wooden step ladder from 2×4’s. Here’s a printable version of these steps.

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Or this beautiful DIY Board and Batten Wall tutorial.

Check out How to Removed Glued Wood Flooring on Concrete.

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That’s it for how to make a wooden step ladder from 2×4’s. Let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.