Why Elevators in Montana Skip This One Floor Every Time

Ever been in an elevator, looked at the buttons, and noticed something strange? You’ll usually see floor 12, then bam! It jumps straight to 14. If you’re wondering what happened to 13, you're not alone.

In Montana and all across the country, skipping the 13th floor is more common than you might think, and it all boils down to a mix of superstition, psychology, and a dash of marketing savvy.

Blame It on Triskaidekaphobia

Triskaidekaphobia is another word for the fear of the number 13. It’s been considered unlucky for centuries, linked to ancient myths, biblical tales, and even Norse legends. Some people won’t sit at a table with 13 guests, others avoid making big decisions on the 13th of the month. And when it comes to buildings, especially hotels, and high-rises, developers would rather play it safe than risk scaring off potential tenants or guests.

It’s Not a Law, It’s a Choice

There’s no law in Montana (or anywhere else) that says buildings must skip the 13th floor. It’s purely a design choice. But when you’re spending millions to build something, and you know some people will side-eye a room on the 13th floor, you do what makes people comfortable. So they relabel it as 14, or sometimes get creative and call it 12A.

Montana’s Buildings Might Not Be Skyscrapers, But...

Montana isn’t exactly known for towering cityscapes. We’ve got more mountains than high rises, and we like it that way. But places like Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman still have buildings tall enough for elevators, and yes, even here, the missing 13th floor is a thing. Hotels, medical centers, and even office buildings often follow the trend.

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It’s All About Perception

At the end of the day, skipping the 13th floor isn’t about math, it’s about mindset. Even if most people don’t really believe 13 is cursed, it only takes a few uneasy glances to make building owners think twice. It’s a “better safe than sorry” kind of deal, and let’s be honest, skipping a number on an elevator panel is a whole lot easier than trying to convince a nervous guest that room 1305 isn’t haunted.

So...Is There Really No 13th Floor?

Technically, the 14th floor is the 13th floor. It's just labeled differently. The structure is still there, whether we call it 13 or not. So if you're ever in a Montana building and staying on floor 14, well, you might just be on the secret 13th floor after all.

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The Bottom Line

Next time you're in an elevator and notice the missing number, you’ll know it’s not an accident. It’s a quirky little piece of culture and psychology that has found its way into architecture. Would you stay on the 13th floor if it were labeled that way?