As some of you may know I recently installed some railings, including a section alongside some steps. The hardest part was determining and maintaining the angle from the break at the top of the stairs to the bottom post. Because the work was at my house I was able to do most of the work in place for the angled portion. For those of you who do this for a living and would fab the panels in your shop, when you visit a site to take your measurements, how do you measure for the stairs? I'm looking to be able to walk away with something on paper that I can refer to and know that I measured correctly. Is there a standard angle that you use?

Most examples I look at have a fixed post before the break then about 4-6" of horizontal rail before angling down the steps.

I'm looking to start the front steps and really want it to look right.

Thanks.
Matt.