How far should a ladder extend above a landing surface?

• A. One Foot
• B. Two Feet
• C. Three Feet
• D. Four Feet

Answer: (C)

Ladders must extend above the landing surface enough to provide a secure handhold as you move onto or off the ladder. Extending about three feet above the landing gives you a solid grip and enough distance to step onto the landing with control, helping you maintain three points of contact. With only one or two feet of extension, there isn’t a reliable place to grab, which increases the chance of slipping or losing balance during the transition. Extending more than three feet isn’t required by the standard and can make the transfer awkward or harder to stabilize if the ladder isn’t properly secured, so three feet is the practical minimum.