The reason I ask is that I am hoping to keep the entirety of my steps recessed - that is, out of the "main rectangle" of the pool.

Unfortunately, I am getting kind of short on space.

I figure that I have to drop 48" from deck level to bottom of pool level (42" water depth plus 6" from waterline to deck level).

I can do that in 40" of horizontal space if I use four (4) steps, each with a 10" riser height and a 10" tread length.

I just can't tell if a 10" drop per step is too much.

I may just have to build some "test" steps.