How to Use an Elevator Safely & Politely

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Etiquette coach Christine Ferrera explains how to politely share an elevator

Co-authored by Christine Ferrera and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: November 16, 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 Christine Ferrera says to wait for passengers to 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

Christine Ferrera is an etiquette coach and the founder of Polished Message Etiquette, a modern etiquette training platform.

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.
- Ferrera says that it’s polite to “hold the door briefly” if there’s someone close behind you. If someone holds the door for you, she says to “thank the person for their kind gesture.”^{[4]
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Find an empty spot in the elevator and quietly move there. When it’s your turn to enter, Ferrera recommends that you “step in calmly and face forward without blocking the doors. Press your floor button once and move toward the back if needed.”^{[5]
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Christine Ferrera
Etiquette Coach

Expert Interview} 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.^{[6]
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- Ferrera says, “If the elevator is full, wait for the next one.”^{[7]
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  Expert Interview} Do not attempt to squeeze yourself into a spot if there isn't enough room—an overloaded elevator will announce that it is overloaded and refuse to move.
- “If the elevator is small or crowded with luggage, be mindful of weight limits,” advises Ferrera. “Too much weight can stop an elevator or trigger an alarm.”^{[8]
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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.^{[9]
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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.^{[10]
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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.^{[11]
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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.^{[12]
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Section 2 of 3:

Elevator Etiquette Guide

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Allow people to exit the elevator before entering. Ferrera advises that when the elevator arrives, “wait for passengers to exit before entering.”^{[13]
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Christine Ferrera
Etiquette Coach

Expert Interview} 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.
- 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."^{[14]
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- Etiquette coach Tami Claytor also agrees, advising that you “step aside and let the people exit first."^{[15]
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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.^{[16]
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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. “When it’s your turn to exit, say 'Excuse me' or 'Pardon me' politely if needed,” says Ferrera.^{[17]
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Christine Ferrera
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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 located next to or closest to the elevator buttons, it’s considered polite to ask other people entering what floor they are going to.
“Keep bags and suitcases close to your body and out of the way,” Ferrera suggests.^{[18]
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Christine Ferrera
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Expert Interview} 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.^{[19]
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Be courteous, especially when traveling with children or pets. Elevators can be crowded. “Stay aware of others’ personal space,” recommends Ferrera.^{[20]
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Christine Ferrera
Etiquette Coach

Expert Interview} 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.^{[21]
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- Ferrera suggests that you avoid eating or wearing strong perfume or cologne while riding in an elevator, as well.^{[22]
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- 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!
“Keep your voice low… and avoid talking on the phone,” Ferrera advises.^{[23]
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Christine Ferrera
Etiquette Coach

Expert Interview} The most proper elevator etiquette would be to keep noise levels from silence to minimal. 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.^{[24]
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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.“Do not try to open the doors or climb out,” says Ferrera. “Wait for trained personnel and follow their instructions.”^{[25]
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- “If you have cell service,” Ferrera adds, “call building security or emergency services. Conserve your phone battery by keeping calls and messages short until help arrives.”^{[26]
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- Survival expert Doug Flinders agrees and 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."^{[27]
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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:^{[28]
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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?

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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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