Sizing · calculator
Dog Crate Size Calculator
Find the right crate size from your dog's own measurements, and see which standard crate that corresponds to.
Measure a standing dog, from the tip of the nose to where the tail joins the body.
Sitting height if your dog sits upright, since that is usually taller than standing.
Recommended crate
36 inch (L) 40-70 lb (18-32 kg)
- Minimum internal length
- 28 in
- Minimum internal height
- 23 in
- Crate dimensions
- 36 in × 23 in × 25 in
- The dog must be able to stand without lowering its head, turn around, and lie fully stretched on its side.
- Bigger is not better for house training. Too much space lets a puppy soil one end and sleep in the other.
- If your dog is close to the top of this range, or is still growing, the 42 inch (XL) is the safer choice.
Standard crate sizes
| Size | Length | Height | Typical dog |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 inch (XS) | 18 in | 14 in | up to 10 lb (4 kg) |
| 24 inch (S) | 24 in | 19 in | 10-25 lb (4-11 kg) |
| 30 inch (M) | 30 in | 21 in | 25-40 lb (11-18 kg) |
| 36 inch (L) | 36 in | 25 in | 40-70 lb (18-32 kg) |
| 42 inch (XL) | 42 in | 30 in | 70-90 lb (32-41 kg) |
| 48 inch (XXL) | 48 in | 33 in | 90 lb (41 kg) and up |
How this is calculated
A crate has to allow three things: standing without ducking, turning around, and lying fully stretched out on one side. Those requirements set the minimum dimensions.
minimum length = body length (nose to tail base) + 10 cm
minimum height = standing or sitting height + 8 cm (3.1 in) Standard sizes
| Crate | Length | Width | Height | Typical dog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 inch (XS) | 46 cm | 31 cm | 36 cm | up to 10 lb (4 kg) |
| 24 inch (S) | 61 cm | 46 cm | 48 cm | 10-25 lb (4-11 kg) |
| 30 inch (M) | 76 cm | 48 cm | 53 cm | 25-40 lb (11-18 kg) |
| 36 inch (L) | 91 cm | 58 cm | 64 cm | 40-70 lb (18-32 kg) |
| 42 inch (XL) | 107 cm | 71 cm | 76 cm | 70-90 lb (32-41 kg) |
| 48 inch (XXL) | 122 cm | 76 cm | 84 cm | 90 lb (41 kg) and up |
Sources
- Crate dimensions are the standard wire crate sizes sold by major manufacturers. They cluster tightly, but check the product before buying.
Buying for a puppy
Buy the crate your dog will need as an adult, and use the divider panel that comes with most wire crates. Set the usable space to just enough for the puppy now, then move the panel back every few weeks. This gives you one crate for the dog's life and keeps house training on track.
Use the adult weight predictor if you are not sure how big your puppy will end up.
Crate types
Wire crates fold flat, ventilate well and take a divider, which makes them the default choice at home. Plastic airline crates feel more enclosed and travel better, but must meet IATA rules for flying: see the airline crate checker. Fabric crates suit only calm, fully trained dogs, since a determined one is through the mesh in minutes.
Common questions
What size crate does my dog need?
Body length plus about 10 cm (3.9 in) for length, and standing or sitting height plus about 8 cm (3.1 in) for height. A dog measuring 60 cm (24 in) long and 50 cm (20 in) tall needs a crate at least 70 cm (28 in) long and 58 cm (23 in) high, which is a standard 36 inch model.
Can a crate be too big?
Yes, for house training. A puppy with too much room will soil one end and sleep in the other, which defeats the point. Buy for the adult size and use the divider panel, moving it back as the puppy grows.
How do I measure my dog for a crate?
Length from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, with the dog standing. Height from the floor to the top of the head. If your dog sits upright with its head high, measure sitting instead, since that is usually the taller figure.
Should the crate be big enough to stand up in?
Yes, without lowering the head. The dog must also be able to turn around comfortably and lie fully stretched on its side. Anything less is too small regardless of what the size chart says.
What size crate for a Labrador or German Shepherd?
A Labrador usually needs a 42 inch crate, a German Shepherd 42 or 48 inch. Measure rather than relying on breed, since individuals within a breed vary by a size band in either direction.
Is crate training cruel?
Not when done properly. A crate should be a bed the dog chooses, with the door open most of the time, introduced gradually and never used as punishment. Shutting an untrained dog in one for long periods is a different thing entirely.
Reading
- How long can a puppy or dog stay in a crate? Limits by age How long a dog can stay in a crate or kennel. Puppies: age in months plus one, in hours. Adults: about five hours by day, eight overnight.