A stepladder is a portable ladder with flat steps instead of rungs, designed to stand on its own without leaning against a wall. The two sides of a stepladder spread apart in an A-shape, connected by hinges at the top and braces that lock the legs in place. This triangular design makes it stable and safe for tasks like changing light bulbs, reaching high shelves, or painting walls.

Unlike an extension ladder that needs to lean against something for support, a stepladder brings its own stability with it. You can set it up in the middle of a room and climb with confidence. The flat steps are wider and more comfortable to stand on than the round rungs of a traditional ladder, which matters when you need to work for several minutes at a height.

Stepladders come in different heights, from small two-step models perfect for kitchen cabinets to tall eight-foot versions that reach second-story windows. When someone says they need a stepladder, they usually mean they need to reach something just beyond arm's length, whether that's decorating for a party, organizing a garage, or retrieving a book from a top shelf.