A newel, also called a central pole, is an upright post that supports the handrail of a stair banister. In stairs having straight flights it is the principal post at the foot of the staircase, but it can also be used for the intermediate posts on landings and at the top of a staircase. Although its primary purpose is structural, newels have long been adorned with decorative trim and designed with different architectural styles.

Newels are sometimes called solid newels in distinction from hollow newels due to varying techniques of construction. In historic homes, it is believed that the house plans were placed in the newel upon completion of the house before the newel was capped.

A wobbly newel post is a plot device in the 1946 classic "It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra and based on the short story "The Greatest Gift" written by Philip Van Doren Stern....

." The same is used, in jest, in the 1989 film "Christmas Vacation."