What size crate does my dog need?
This dog crate size calculator turns two simple measurements into the right crate size. Measure your dog’s length and height, add the extra room the American Kennel Club recommends, and the calculator picks the smallest standard crate that fits — with a drawing of your dog inside it and a full dog crate size chart by weight and breed.
A crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around and lie flat on its side with legs stretched out, but not so big that one end becomes a toilet. Crates are sold by length — 24-inch, 30-inch, 36-inch and so on — and getting the size right first time saves money and makes crate training easier.
If you cannot measure, you can pick a size by weight, but treat it as a rough guide: a 30 kg Greyhound and a 30 kg Bulldog need very different crates.
How to use the Dog Crate Size Calculator
- Choose Measure my dog and inches or cm.
- With your dog standing, measure the length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail and the height from the floor to the top of the head (or ear tips if higher).
- Pick 3 or 4 inches of extra room; 4 gives a little more space for bedding.
- Read the recommended crate size and the minimum inside length and height.
- No tape measure? Switch to Only weigh it for a size from the weight chart.
Dog Crate Size Calculator features
AKC measuring rule
Length and height plus 3–4 inches each, as the American Kennel Club advises.
Standard crate sizes
Matches you to the smallest 18–48 inch crate that is both long and tall enough.
Crate size chart
Weight, dog length, dog height and typical breeds for each size, from a vet-reviewed guide.
Inches or centimetres
Measure in either unit; crate sizes are shown in both.
Drawing
Your dog’s measured outline inside the recommended crate.
How the crate size is worked out
The AKC’s rule: measure your dog standing — height from the top of the head to the floor, length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail — and add 3 to 4 inches to each. The result is the minimum inside length and height. The calculator then chooses the smallest crate in the standard size chart whose length and height are both at least that big.
Example: a dog 30 inches long and 22 inches tall needs at least 34 × 26 inches with 4 inches added. A 30-inch crate is too short, so the answer is a 36-inch crate (about 36 × 24 × 26 in). Sizes differ slightly between makers, so check the inside dimensions before you buy.
Puppies, dividers and long tails
For a puppy, buy a crate for its expected adult size and use a divider panel to make the space smaller while it grows, as the AKC suggests — a crate that is too roomy early on makes house training harder. The puppy weight calculator estimates adult weight, and the dog weight chart shows typical breed sizes.
If your dog has a very long tail, measuring to the tip can push you up a size. PetMD’s fit test is a good check: the dog should stand without crouching, turn around easily, lie on its side with legs out, and have at least 2 inches above its head when sitting.
Crate sizes by weight
The chart below the calculator comes from PetMD’s vet-reviewed guide: about 18 inches for toy puppies up to 6 lb, 24 inches for 13–25 lb dogs such as Shih Tzus, 36 inches for 41–70 lb dogs, 42 inches for Labradors and Golden Retrievers (71–90 lb) and 48 inches for German Shepherds and Rottweilers. PetMD stresses that measurements matter more than weight or breed.
Dog Crate Size Calculator FAQ
How do I know what size crate my dog needs?
Measure its length (nose to tail tip) and height (floor to top of head) while standing, add 3–4 inches to each, and choose a crate at least that long and tall. The dog crate size calculator does this for you.
What size crate for a Labrador?
Most adult Labradors fit a 42-inch crate (about 42 × 28 × 30 in) in PetMD’s chart, but measure your own dog — big males may need 48 inches.
Can a crate be too big?
Yes. Too much space lets a puppy sleep at one end and toilet at the other. Use a divider until your dog is house-trained.
What are standard dog crate sizes?
Common lengths are 18, 22, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 inches, with giant-breed crates of 54 inches and more.
Should I size a crate by weight?
Only as a last resort. Dogs of the same weight can have very different shapes; measuring is more reliable.
How long can a dog stay in a crate?
Not for long stretches. Ask your vet or a trainer — this is general information, not veterinary advice.