Dog Crate Size Calculator: What Size Crate Does My Dog Need?

How to measure your dog for a crate

The American Kennel Club recommends two measurements:

Length: from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.
Height: from the top of the head to the floor.

Then add 3 to 4 inches (about 8 to 10 cm) to each to get the inside length and height the crate should have. That gives your dog room to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably, without so much space that a puppy uses one end as a toilet.

Crate size chart

These are the inside lengths each common crate size can fit after adding 3 to 4 inches of room. Always check the inside height too.

Crate size	Fits a dog up to (nose to tail)
18"	about 14–15"
22"	about 18–19"
24"	about 20–21"
30"	about 26–27"
36"	about 32–33"
42"	about 38–39"
48"	about 44–45"
54"	about 50–51"

Crates for puppies

Puppies outgrow crates quickly. Buy a crate sized for your puppy's expected adult size and use a divider panel to shrink the space while it grows, then move the divider back as your puppy gets bigger. Not sure how big your puppy will get? Try the puppy weight calculator.

Questions people ask

What size crate does my dog need?

Measure your dog's length (nose to tail tip) and height (floor to top of head), add 3 to 4 inches to each, and choose a crate at least that big inside. The calculator above does the math and suggests a standard size.

Can a crate be too big?

Yes, especially for puppies. Too much space can let a puppy sleep at one end and use the other as a toilet. A divider panel fixes this while the puppy grows.

Should a dog be able to stand up in its crate?

Yes. Your dog should be able to stand without hitting its head, turn around and lie down stretched out. That is why the height measurement matters as much as the length.

Do I measure with the tail?

The AKC's method measures to the tip of the tail. For dogs with very long tails, the result will lean toward a roomier crate.

Dog crate size calculator