Dog crate size calculator
A crate should be about 13 cm (5 inches) longer than your dog from nose to the base of the tail, and 13 cm taller than your dog sitting up, so they can stand, turn round and lie down.
- Minimum inside length
- 73 cm
- Minimum inside height
- 68 cm
- Length in inches
- 28.7 in
- Height in inches
- 26.8 in
Your dog needs a crate at least 73 cm long and 68 cm high inside. Check the inside height of the 30-inch crate you pick, as heights vary by brand.
Crates are sold by length. Inside heights vary between brands, so check the height is at least the minimum shown.
Crate sizes for example dogs
| Dog | Minimum inside length | Minimum height | Crate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (e.g. 40 cm long, 35 cm sitting) | 53 cm | 48 cm | 24 inch |
| Medium (60 cm, 55 cm) | 73 cm | 68 cm | 30 inch |
| Large (80 cm, 70 cm) | 93 cm | 83 cm | 42 inch |
| Very large (95 cm, 85 cm) | 108 cm | 98 cm | 48 inch |
How we calculate this
Pets Corner advises measuring your dog from nose to the base of the tail while standing, and from the floor to the top of the head while sitting, then adding 5 to 6 inches (about 12 to 15 cm) to each. We add 13 cm.
We then pick the smallest standard crate length that fits: 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54 inches.
Questions people ask
What size crate should I get for a puppy?
Buy for the size your puppy will be when fully grown, and use a divider panel to make the space smaller while they’re young. Ask your breeder or vet how big your puppy is likely to get.
Can a crate be too big?
For a puppy being house-trained, yes: a lot of extra space can mean they use one end as a toilet. A divider panel solves this. For an adult dog, a little extra room is fine.
Are crate sizes the length or the height?
Crates are sold by length in inches, so a 36-inch crate is about 36 inches long. Widths and heights vary between brands.
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