How to Use an Elevator Safely & Politely

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Plus, what to do in the unlikely event your elevator gets stuck

Co-authored by Tami Claytor and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using an Elevator (Lift)

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Etiquette

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Handling Emergencies

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Video

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Q&A

Riding an elevator may seem like second nature to some, but if you’ve never used one before, there are a few helpful tips to know first. Read on to learn the dos and don’ts of how to use an elevator (also called a lift) safely and politely. With the help of professional etiquette coaches and a survival expert, we’ll walk you through how to ride an elevator step by step, plus show you the most important elevator etiquette tips to remember and what to do in an emergency when the elevator gets stuck.

How to Use an Elevator: Quick Guide

Etiquette coach Tami Claytor says to step aside and let people exit the elevator first when you’re the one waiting for a ride. To safely and politely ride an elevator:

Call the elevator by pressing the appropriate button labeled “up” or “down.”
Let other riders exit first, then check if there’s enough room to board.
Enter the elevator, select your floor number, and stand in an empty spot.
Be courteous and quiet while riding, and pay attention to the stops.
Exit quickly when the doors open, or ask someone to hold them open for you.

Section 1 of 3:

How to Ride an Elevator (Lift)

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Press the "up" or "down" button to call the elevator. When you arrive at the elevator, press the elevator call button, indicating either an “up” or “down” button, depending on which direction you’re going. Be ready to wait—many factors affect an elevator's arrival time, such as elevator traffic, the number of floors, rush hours, and available elevators due to unforeseen maintenance or closures. ^{[1]
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- Elevators are commonly called lifts in the UK.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Tami Claytor is an etiquette coach with over 20 years of experience teaching individuals, students, companies, and community organizations.

Carolyn Powery is an etiquette coach with over 16 years of experience helping clients with the tools needed for success.

Doug Flinders is a survival expert with a decade of experience teaching wilderness survival.
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Make certain the elevator is going in your direction. Most elevators have signals to show if they are going down or up. In the case where you cannot find any signal, ask the passengers on the elevator which way they are headed.^{[2]
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- Avoid going in the wrong direction, especially if the building has a lot of floors.
- Always check to see if the elevator is present on your floor, which mainly applies to elevators that have manual doors.
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Enter and select your floor number. Elevators have buttons on both sides of the door. The majority of the floor buttons are numbered; basement, garage, street level, lobby, etc., may be represented by letters, like “L” for lobby or “B” for basement. Numbered floors will appear numerically, i.e., 1, 2, 3, etc.^{[3]
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- Generally speaking, most elevators in the U.S. refer to the street-level floor as floor 1. In the UK and much of Europe, the first floor is called the “ground floor,” while the 2nd floor is referred to as the “1st floor.”
- In some elevators, double-tapping on a lighted button allows you to cancel a floor call.
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Find an empty spot in the elevator and quietly move there. Elevators vary in size and available space. Locate a section where you will feel comfortable for the ride and that is convenient for your exit. The back of the elevator is the ideal location, in 2 ways: it leaves room for other passengers to enter or exit, and secures a good spot for longer rides.^{[4]
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- Please do not attempt to squeeze yourself into a spot if there isn't enough room—do not overload an elevator. An overloaded elevator will announce that it is overloaded and refuse to move.
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Pay attention to the stops. As you ride, be aware of stops for two reasons. First, passengers need to enter and exit, and may need to slip around you. Also, each stop brings you closer to your floor, and you may be able to move towards the door. However, if you are not close to an exit, being ready will help you get to your floor without any issues.^{[5]
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- Some elevators have recorded voice announcements to indicate which floor they will stop next.
When the elevator stops at your exit, the doors should open either automatically or manually. Most elevators have a button to open the doors, while some older models use latches. In the case when the door won't open, search for an intercom or alarm button. If the elevator is jammed, qualified assistants will be notified.^{[6]
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Walking around other people in a crowded elevator might not give you enough time to reach the doors before they close. Ask someone close enough to make sure the door will remain open for you.^{[7]
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Using an elevator should be a convenience and a time saver. Missing your floor will only delay you. Also, be mindful that other passengers may need to exit as well. Being swift about your exit helps everyone.^{[8]
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Section 2 of 3:

Elevator Etiquette Guide

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Allow people to exit the elevator before entering. When the elevator comes, stand clear of the door. This etiquette is practiced in subways and buses; elevators are no different. Always let disabled and senior citizens enter first. If you're in a hospital, please also allow staff members, especially those with equipment or beds/stretchers, to enter first. Claytor suggests “stepping aside and letting the people exit first."^{[9]
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Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach

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- Etiquette coach Carolyn Powery agrees that it’s best not to “block the exit. Avoid rushing in before others have had a chance to get off."^{[10]
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- If, after passengers exit, you cannot see enough room for you, let the doors close and wait for another elevator.
- Do not attempt to obstruct the doors with limbs to hold them open. Once the elevator alarm sounds, the doors will continue to close and ignore any sensor input that holds the door open.^{[11]
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Excuse yourself as you walk through the elevator. People on elevators have many distractions in their heads, especially when their backs face you as they face the elevator door. Saying “excuse me” or “pardon me” will signal your intentions of exiting, so can move to help you leave.^{[12]
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- If someone is standing closer to the buttons than you are, they might offer to select for you. If they do not, kindly ask them to select the floor.
If you are riding with groceries, backpacks, or any other items, be sure to hold on to them properly. If the elevator is empty, you may leave your items on the floor, especially for longer rides. However, holding on to your items ensures more space for potential passengers.^{[13]
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Be courteous, especially when traveling with children or pets. Elevators can be crowded, and ensuring the safety and comfort of others should be on your mind. If you travel with a pet, be sure to secure it with a leash or carry it; not all people are comfortable with pets roaming freely. Also, keep your children close to you. It is also good practice to have them be mindful of others' spaces.^{[14]
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- If you are located next to or closest to the elevator buttons, it’s considered polite to ask other people entering what floor they are going to.
- If you’re alone in the elevator and want to go express, try some of these express elevator hacks!
- Once you’re a pro (and are riding alone), try your hand at playing the elevator game!
The most proper elevator etiquette would be to keep noise levels from silence to minimal. Conversations, either in person or over the phone, should cease when possible. Use headphones for listening to music instead of playing it out loud. If you are traveling with an infant, kindly refrain from riding while the child is crying.^{[15]
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Section 3 of 3:

Staying Safe in an Elevator Emergency

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Press the emergency button and stay calm if the elevator gets stuck. The emergency button will inform the building management or emergency services. Use the intercom located near the inside elevator button panel to clearly communicate that the elevator has stopped and is not moving, along with your location. Follow any instructions the building staff gives you while they send a team to fix or evacuate the elevator safely.^{[16]
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- You can also use your cell phone to call for help if there is an issue with the emergency button and/or intercom.
- Never try to force the elevator doors open and try to escape. Survival expert Doug Flinders recommends “waiting to see if someone comes to repair it.” Always avoid trying to break out of the elevator by yourself “unless it’s really necessary."^{[17]
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- Don't press the emergency button unless there is actually an emergency. If you do so, you can be charged with a false alarm.
- Do not ride elevators in the case of a fire, a building evacuation, or any other emergency, or if the elevator has been taken out of service. Take the stairs instead.
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Calm any nerves or anxieties you might have if you’re stuck. Riding an elevator may already be difficult for some people with fears of elevators or confined spaces. When in an emergency, take deep breaths and try not to panic. Sit down and relax your body if it helps make the wait easier. In general, if you know riding an elevator feels difficult, prepare yourself for the ride by multiple means:^{[18]
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- Choose portable, hand-held activities. Read a book, check your email, send text messages, check social media, create to-do lists, or do any small task that requires enough focus to ease your mind.
- Listen to soothing music. A nice pair of headphones and delicate tunes can ease your thoughts for a better ride.
- Imagine a calm setting. Train yourself to create soothing settings that relax you, and enter that mental picture when you ride the elevator.

Community Q&A

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Question

If I want to get in the elevator, how do I make it stop at my floor so I can get on?

Community Answer

If you are waiting for the elevator, there is sure to be an up and down button, depending on what floor you are on. If you are going up, push the top one, and when going down, push the bottom one. When inside the elevator, press the button for the floor you want to go to.

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Should I use a lift in earthquakes?

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The elevator could stop because of the earthquake waves, which could leave you trapped inside. It is better not to use an elevator during an earthquake, use the stairs instead.

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How do you use the button on an elevator?

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If you want to go to a different floor of the building, press the button with the number of the floor you want to go to. For example, if you want to go to the 4th floor, press number 4. If you are outside of an elevator and want to go up or down, most elevators have buttons with triangles. If you want to go down, press the button with the upside-down triangle.

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