Dog Crate Size Chart: Measure, Don't Guess

Quick answer Crate sizes are not standard between brands, so use your dog's own length and height. Add 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) to each and compare with the crate's inside measurements. A dog 80 cm long and 60 cm tall needs a crate at least 85 to 90 cm long and 65 to 70 cm high inside.

Search for a dog crate size chart and you will find tables that match a crate size to a breed or a weight band. They look convenient, but they hide a problem: dogs of the same weight vary a great deal in length and height, and crates of the same name vary a great deal in inside space. A chart that starts from your dog’s measurements avoids both problems. This guide gives one, shows you how to use it and explains what to check on a crate’s product page.

Why weight and breed charts mislead

A long, low dog and a short, tall dog can weigh the same. The first needs length but little height, the second the reverse. Crate labels add further confusion: a “36 inch” crate refers to the outside length on some brands and the inside on others, and the height can differ by several centimetres between two models with the same label. The only fair way to compare is with inside length and inside height, measured in the same unit.

For the basic measuring method, see our guide on what size crate your dog needs. This article concentrates on turning measurements into a chart you can use in a shop or on a screen.

The chart: from dog measurements to minimum crate size

Length is nose to the base of the tail. Height is floor to the top of the head or ears, whichever is higher, with the dog standing. The minimum inside size is length and height plus the allowance.

Dog length × height	Minimum inside size (+5 cm)	Minimum inside size (+10 cm)	In inches (+10 cm)
40 × 30 cm (16 × 12 in)	45 × 35 cm	50 × 40 cm	20 × 16 in
50 × 38 cm (20 × 15 in)	55 × 43 cm	60 × 48 cm	24 × 19 in
60 × 45 cm (24 × 18 in)	65 × 50 cm	70 × 55 cm	28 × 22 in
70 × 52 cm (28 × 20 in)	75 × 57 cm	80 × 62 cm	31 × 24 in
80 × 60 cm (31 × 24 in)	85 × 65 cm	90 × 70 cm	35 × 28 in
90 × 65 cm (35 × 26 in)	95 × 70 cm	100 × 75 cm	39 × 30 in
100 × 70 cm (39 × 28 in)	105 × 75 cm	110 × 80 cm	43 × 31 in
110 × 75 cm (43 × 30 in)	115 × 80 cm	120 × 85 cm	47 × 33 in
120 × 80 cm (47 × 31 in)	125 × 85 cm	130 × 90 cm	51 × 35 in

The Dog Crate Size Calculator produces any row for your own numbers, and the Pet Measurement Converter converts between centimetres and inches exactly (1 in = 2.54 cm).

Which allowance should I use?

The allowance range is guidance from owner and manufacturer sources, not a legal standard. A practical way to choose:

Situation	Allowance
Calm adult who mostly sleeps in the crate	Closer to 5 cm
Dog that stretches out flat or sleeps curled around bedding	10 cm
Thick or fluffy coat	10 cm
Growing puppy buying for adult size	Size for the adult, then use a divider
Crate with a thick tray or padded floor	Add an extra centimetre or two for height

If a crate is available in two sizes and both pass, the smaller usually works better as a den, as long as the dog can stand, turn and lie down comfortably.

Reading a crate’s product page

When you compare crates, scan for these details:

Inside dimensions. If only outside dimensions are given, ask the seller or check reviews and images.
Height. Some crates slope or curve at the top; use the lowest point.
Door position and size. A large dog needs a door it can walk through without ducking.
Tray and bedding. A deep tray reduces usable height; your bedding adds to it.
Material. Plastic walls thicken the shell; soft crates sag; wire crates are usually the most predictable.
Dividers. A divider is useful for puppies and for adjusting a crate that is slightly too big.

A worked example

A dog measures 70 cm from nose to base of tail and 52 cm from floor to top of head.

Add 10 cm to each: 80 cm and 62 cm.
The dog needs a crate at least 80 cm long and 62 cm high inside. In inches that is about 31 × 24.
A crate listed as “30 inch” may be only 76 cm inside, which is too short. A crate listed as “36 inch” with an inside length of 88 cm and height of 62 cm would pass.
Check the width: a crate 55 cm wide is comfortable for most dogs of that length.
Put the bed in the crate before deciding, since bedding takes space.

Notice that the label alone would have misled you: the name does not tell you whether the crate passes, but the inside numbers do.

Comparing different types of crate

Type	Good points	Sizing watch-out
Wire (folding)	Visible, ventilated, often includes a divider	Check the inside height under the roof
Plastic travel	Den-like, easier to secure in a car	Shell reduces inside space; check specs
Soft-sided	Light, portable	Less strong; check that the dog cannot chew through
Furniture-style	Fits in a living room	Frame thickness takes space; verify inside size
Heavy-duty	For escape-prone dogs	Often heavier and pricier; confirm size

Dogs that do not fit the pattern

Long-bodied, short-legged dogs: length drives the size; there will be spare head room.
Tall, narrow dogs: height drives the size; avoid sloping roofs.
Dogs with thick coats: lean towards the 10 cm allowance.
Senior dogs: a low entrance and a flat padded floor matter more than an extra centimetre.
Nervous dogs: a crate that is slightly smaller and covered on three sides can feel safer, but ask your vet or a trainer before using a crate as a calming tool.

When the dog is growing

A puppy’s measurements change month by month, so a chart row is only valid for the day you measure. Buy for the adult size you expect and use a divider while the puppy is small. Our guide to puppy crate size and dividers shows a month-by-month plan.

Common mistakes

Choosing from a weight chart without measuring.
Using outside dimensions.
Measuring a sitting dog’s height.
Forgetting that bedding and trays reduce space.
Trusting the label “medium” or “large”.
Buying a very large crate to avoid measuring.

Questions to ask the seller or your vet

What are the inside length, width and height?
Does the height include the tray, and does the roof slope?
Does the crate come with a divider, and how does it fit?
How easy is it to clean and to take apart?
Is the crate suitable for car travel?

Turning inside inches into a crate label

Crates sold in North America are usually described by an outside length in inches, in steps of about six inches, while the inside space that matters to your dog is smaller. The practical way to use the chart is to work out the minimum inside length first, then look for a crate whose listed inside length is at least that.

Dog length	Minimum inside length (+10 cm)	In inches	What to look for
50 cm (20 in)	60 cm	24 in	Inside length of 24 in or more
70 cm (28 in)	80 cm	31 in	Inside length of 31 in or more
90 cm (35 in)	100 cm	39 in	Inside length of 39 in or more
110 cm (43 in)	120 cm	47 in	Inside length of 47 in or more

If the product page shows only the outside length, ask the seller for the inside figure or look for measured photos. A crate that is labelled as one size but measures slightly smaller inside is a common reason for returns.

Three dogs, three different answers

	Dog 1	Dog 2	Dog 3
Body shape	Long and low	Average	Tall and narrow
Length	75 cm	70 cm	70 cm
Standing height	35 cm	52 cm	66 cm
Minimum inside size (+10 cm)	85 × 45 cm	80 × 62 cm	80 × 76 cm
What matters most	Length	Both	Height

Dog 1 and Dog 3 have the same length as Dog 2 give or take a few centimetres, but their crates differ in height by 31 cm. A weight chart would treat them alike. The inside height is what stops a tall dog from banging its head, and the inside length is what stops a long dog from curling up in a ball when it wants to stretch out.

Using the chart in a shop

When you can visit a shop, the chart makes the visit short:

Take your dog’s two measurements, with the allowance already added, on a card.
Open the crate and measure the inside with a tape: length along the floor, height from the floor to the roof at its lowest point.
Put the dog’s bed in the crate to see what is left.
Check the door: your dog should be able to go in and out without ducking.
Check the tray and the latches.

If a shop lets you bring the dog, watch it step in, turn and lie down. If not, trust your numbers.

Quick summary

Weight and breed charts are rough; your dog’s own measurements are better.
Measure length (nose to base of tail) and standing height (floor to top of head or ears).
Add 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) to each and compare with the crate’s inside size.
An 80 × 60 cm dog needs about 90 × 70 cm inside with the larger allowance.
Use a divider for puppies and check that bedding fits.
Use the Dog Crate Size Calculator for your dog’s numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a standard dog crate size chart?

No. Labels such as small, medium or 36 inch vary by brand and by crate type, so a chart based on weight or breed is only a rough guide. Measuring your dog is more reliable.

How do I read a size chart from a crate maker?

Find the inside length, width and height, not the outside size or the name. Your dog's length and height plus the allowance must fit inside both dimensions.

Should I measure the width of my dog?

Length and height are the key measurements. Most crates are wide enough for a dog that fits the length and height, but check the width if your dog is stocky.

What if my dog falls between two sizes?

Choose the larger one, and use a divider if the crate is too roomy. A slightly large crate is easier to fix than a crate that is too small.

Do I add the same amount for every dog?

The allowance is 5 cm at the snug end and 10 cm for dogs that stretch out, have thick coats or are still growing.

Do plastic and wire crates measure the same way?

The method is the same, but the walls of a plastic shell take space, so inside measurements can be noticeably smaller than the name suggests.

Are airline crates sized the same way?

No. Airlines have their own container rules and formulas, so follow the airline's instructions, not this chart.

Sources

AKC expert advice (owner guidance; practical rule of thumb)
Manufacturer sizing guidance (general industry convention; brands differ)

Reviewed by the CalcuPaw Veterinary Review Team

Last reviewed 18 Oct 2026 · Meet the review team · This guide is general information, not veterinary advice.