What Size Crate Does My Dog Need? (Chart by Size and Breed)

A crate that fits well feels like a den to your dog: a safe place to nap, ride in the car or wait out a thunderstorm. One that’s too small is uncomfortable; one that’s much too big can slow down house training. The good news is that picking the right one takes two measurements and a tape measure.

How do I measure my dog for a crate?

Have your dog stand on a flat floor. A helper and a treat make this easier.

1. Length: measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, where it meets the body. Don’t include the whole tail; it can curl or tuck.
2. Height: measure from the floor to the top of the head. If your dog’s ears stand up, measure to the ear tips.
3. Add 2–4 inches to both numbers. Two inches is the minimum; four gives more room to stretch out.

That’s it. Your crate’s inside dimensions should be at least your adjusted length and height. Our dog crate size calculator does the adding and matches you to a standard size.

Crate size chart by measurement

Crates are sold by their length in inches. Heights vary by brand and style, so check the inside height listed for the model you’re buying. These are typical figures for folding wire crates:

Crate size	Typical inside length × height	Fits a dog up to about (length × height)
18”	18 × 14 in	16 × 12 in
22”	22 × 16 in	20 × 14 in
24”	24 × 19 in	22 × 17 in
30”	30 × 21 in	28 × 19 in
36”	36 × 25 in	34 × 23 in
42”	42 × 30 in	40 × 28 in
48”	48 × 33 in	46 × 31 in
54”	54 × 45 in	52 × 43 in

The last column uses the 2-inch minimum. Check both numbers: a long, low dog like a Dachshund is limited by length, while a tall, lean dog like a Greyhound can outgrow a crate’s height first.

Examples:

• A dog 30 inches long and 22 inches tall needs at least 32 × 24 inches. The 30” crate is too short, so the answer is a 36” crate. For extra room (34 × 26), a 42” crate.
• A small dog 16 inches long and 12 inches tall needs at least 18 × 14. An 18” crate just fits; a 22” crate gives more room.
• A Labrador 36 inches long and 26 inches tall needs at least 38 × 28, so a 42” crate.

Crate size chart by weight and breed

Weight is a rougher guide than measuring, because dogs of the same weight can be very different shapes. Still, it’s useful when you’re browsing. These are typical ranges from retailer size guides, with common breeds that usually fit:

Crate size	Typical dog weight	Breeds that often fit
18”–22”	up to about 15 lb	Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Pomeranian
24”	about 15–25 lb	Shih Tzu, Pug, Miniature Dachshund, Boston Terrier
30”	about 25–40 lb	Beagle, French Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, Corgi
36”	about 40–70 lb	Border Collie, Bulldog, Australian Shepherd, Brittany
42”	about 70–90 lb	Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Boxer, Husky
48”	about 90–110 lb	German Shepherd (large), Doberman, Rottweiler
54”	110 lb and up	Great Dane, Mastiff, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard

Use this to narrow the options, then measure to confirm. If your dog falls between two sizes, go up.

Should the crate be bigger for comfort?

A little. The American Kennel Club’s rule is simple: your dog should be able to stand up without ducking, turn around, and lie down stretched out. Beyond that, extra space doesn’t add much comfort, and for puppies and dogs still learning house training, it can backfire. Dogs naturally avoid soiling where they sleep, but in a very large crate a puppy may sleep at one end and use the other as a toilet.

For adult dogs who are fully house trained, a slightly roomier crate is fine, especially for dogs that like to sprawl or for long car trips.

What size crate should I buy for a puppy?

Buying a new crate every few months gets expensive. The usual approach:

1. Estimate your puppy’s adult size. Our puppy weight calculator gives a likely adult weight range, and the parents’ size helps too.
2. Buy the crate your puppy will need as an adult.
3. Use a divider panel (most wire crates include one) to block off the extra space.
4. Every few weeks, check that your puppy can still stand, turn and lie down, and move the divider back as needed.

If you’re unsure of the adult size, especially for a mixed breed, err on the larger side and rely on the divider.

Which type of crate is best?

Type	Pros	Cons
Wire	Good airflow and visibility; folds flat; often has a divider	Noisy; less den-like (a cover helps)
Plastic (travel)	Cozy, den-like; many are approved for air travel	Less airflow; bulky to store
Soft-sided	Light and portable	Easy to chew or claw through; not for escape artists or unsupervised puppies
Heavy-duty	For strong dogs that escape or chew	Heavy and expensive

For air travel, airlines set their own crate rules, often stricter than normal sizing. Check with the airline before you buy.

How do I make the crate a good place to be?

• Never use the crate as punishment. You want your dog to go in willingly.
• Start with short stays while you’re home, with a chew toy or a meal inside.
• Add soft bedding (unless your puppy chews it) and a cover over part of a wire crate for a den feel.
• Keep it in a room where the family spends time, at least at first.
• Limit crate time. Adult dogs shouldn’t spend long daytime stretches crated, apart from overnight sleep. Young puppies need potty breaks often; a rough guide is one hour per month of age plus one, up to a limit.

Signs the crate is the wrong size

• Your dog has to duck its head or can’t turn around: too small.
• Your dog lies curled tight when it would normally stretch out: probably too small.
• Your puppy has accidents at one end of the crate: probably too big (use the divider).

If your dog panics in the crate, drools heavily, or tries to break out, the size may not be the problem. That can be a sign of anxiety, and it’s worth talking to your vet or a qualified trainer.