Dog Crate Size Guide: How to Pick the Right Size

To pick the right crate size, measure your dog while standing, from nose to tail for length and from head to floor for height, then add 3 to 4 inches to each number, as the American Kennel Club (AKC) advises. Match those numbers to the interior dimensions of the crate you are considering. Weight is only a cross-check, and Petmate’s sizing guide calls it a safety check rather than a substitute for measuring.

This guide walks through the measuring steps, a weight-based size chart, common crate sizes, and how to handle puppies and different crate types. If you are still comparing options, our Dog Crates & Playpens category collects them in one place.

How to Measure Your Dog for a Crate

Measure your dog while he or she is standing in a natural position. A soft tape measure works best, and a second person holding the end of the tape makes it easier. Write the numbers down before you start shopping so you can compare them with each product’s listed dimensions.

Here is the measuring plan at a glance:

Measurement A (length): nose to the end point your crate brand specifies (see below), with the dog standing.
Measurement B (height): top of the head to the floor, with the dog standing.
Add clearance: A plus 3 to 4 inches gives the minimum crate length. B plus 3 to 4 inches gives the minimum crate height.
Compare: check both results against the crate’s inside length, inside width and inside height.

For example, say a dog measures 30 inches in length and 24 inches in height. Adding 3 to 4 inches gives a target of about 33 to 34 inches long and 27 to 28 inches tall. That is an illustration of the arithmetic, not a size recommendation for any breed.

Length

Guidance differs on where to stop measuring. The AKC method described above runs from the nose to the tip of the tail. MidWest’s crate sizing page measures from the nose to the base of the tail and then adds a few inches.

Because the two methods give different starting numbers, follow the instructions from the brand whose crate you plan to buy. Their size labels are built around their own method. If you cannot find instructions, measure to the tip of the tail, add the clearance, and you will land on the roomier side.

Height

Measure from the floor to the top of the head while your dog stands. MidWest also uses the top of the head to the floor, plus a few inches. If your dog has upright ears, Petmate’s guide says to measure to the highest natural point of the head or ears, whichever is taller, so the ears do not brush the roof.

Height is the number people most often overlook. A crate that is long enough but too short will force your dog to hunch. Check the interior height of the crate listing, not just the length in the product title.

Why “Just Right” Matters

It is tempting to buy the biggest crate that fits in your room, but the AKC cautions that a crate that is too large can let a dog use one corner as a bathroom. The goal is a space that is comfortable to stand, turn and lie down in, without a lot of leftover floor.

A crate that is too small has the opposite problem, because your dog cannot stretch out or change position comfortably. Measuring and adding the recommended clearance keeps you between those two extremes. If your dog has behavior or house-training concerns, talk to your veterinarian about how crate use fits into the plan.

Dog Crate Size Chart by Weight

The chart below comes from Petmate’s guidance for its Sky Kennel line. Treat it as a starting point for estimating, since every brand sizes its crates a little differently. Always compare your dog’s measurements with the interior dimensions of the exact crate you are buying.

Crate size	Interior (L x W x H, inches)	Dog weight (lb)
21 inch	18.75 x 13.5 x 14.5	Up to 15
28 inch	24.25 x 18.25 x 19.5	25 to 30
32 inch	29.5 x 19.75 x 23.5	30 to 50
36 inch	32.5 x 22 x 26	50 to 70
40 inch	36.25 x 24.75 x 28.8	70 to 90
48 inch	44 x 29 x 32.5	90 to 125

Source: Petmate Academy, Sky Kennel sizing guidance (checked November 2026). Petmate’s chart has no size listed for dogs between 15 and 25 pounds, which is a good reminder that weight bands are only a rough guide. In that range, measure your dog and compare the result with the interior dimensions above.

Weight does not tell you how long or tall a dog is. Two dogs with the same weight can have very different builds, and that is why the tape measure comes first. If your dog falls near the edge of a weight range, or the measurements and the chart disagree, trust the measurements.

Common Crate Sizes Explained

Crates are usually labeled by their length in inches, and the sizes on the market commonly run from about 18 inches up to about 54 inches. Brands offer different numbers of steps within that range. MidWest, for instance, offers eight crate sizes.

18 to 24 inches: the smallest crates, generally intended for toy and very small dogs.
30 to 36 inches: the middle of the range, where many small to medium-large dogs end up.
42 inches: a common step for larger dogs.
48 to 54 inches: the biggest sizes, built for extra-large dogs.

These groupings are loose, and labels do not line up between brands. A “36-inch” crate from one maker can have a different interior than a “36-inch” crate from another. Use the label to narrow your search, then confirm with the listed inside length, width and height.

Sizing a Crate for a Puppy

Puppies grow quickly, so buying a new crate at every stage gets impractical. MidWest’s FAQ recommends choosing a size for when your dog is fully grown and using a divider panel while he or she is small. The AKC gives the same advice: buy for adult size and use a divider.

A divider lets you shrink the usable space now and expand it as your puppy grows. The point is to give your puppy room to stand, turn around and lie down, but not enough room to use one end as a bathroom. Check the product listing to confirm that a divider is included or sold separately for the model you choose.

To estimate adult size, ask your veterinarian or the breeder what to expect for your puppy’s breed or mix. Mixed-breed puppies can be hard to predict, so a vet’s estimate is more useful than a guess. Re-measure as your puppy grows and move the divider as needed.

Crate Type Changes the Fit

Wire, plastic and soft-sided crates are built differently, so the same labeled size can give you different usable space. Wire crates generally have open sides and a removable tray. Plastic crates have molded walls that can slope or curve, and soft-sided crates have fabric walls and padding that take up some of the interior.

The result is that the outside dimensions of a crate are often larger than the space your dog can actually use. Always look for the inside length, width and height in the listing. If a listing only shows exterior measurements, check the manufacturer’s page or contact the seller before ordering.

Do not forget what goes inside, either. A thick pad takes away headroom, so measure with that in mind. If you plan to add bedding, our dog beds and furniture category is a good place to look for options that fit your crate’s floor. For help comparing fills and covers, see how to choose a dog bed.

Quick Fit Check

Once the crate is in your home, run a simple fit check. According to MidWest’s FAQ guidance, your dog should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. If any of those three is difficult, the crate is likely too small. Once the size is right, see where to put a dog crate in your home.

Stand: your dog’s head and ears should clear the roof without ducking.
Turn around: your dog should be able to rotate without bumping into the walls.
Lie down: your dog should be able to stretch out on one side without curling up tightly.

If your dog passes all three but there is a large empty area, the crate may be too big, and a divider or a smaller size is worth considering. If you are unsure, take photos of your dog inside the crate and compare them with the measurements you wrote down.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size crate for a 50 lb dog?

The Petmate chart above places 50 pounds right on the border between two sizes, so weight alone will not settle it. Measure your dog, add 3 to 4 inches to length and height, and choose the crate whose interior meets those numbers. If you are still between two sizes, the larger one is usually the safer choice to avoid a cramped fit, as long as it is not so large that your dog has a lot of unused floor.

Can a crate be too big?

Yes. As covered above, the AKC notes that an oversized crate can let a dog use one corner as a bathroom. A crate should give your dog room to stand, turn and lie down, and no more than that. A divider helps if your dog is still growing.

Should I size up for a growing puppy?

Size for the adult dog, not the puppy, and use a divider while your puppy is small. This is the approach both the AKC and MidWest describe. Ask your veterinarian for an estimate of your puppy’s adult size if you are not sure.

Inside vs outside dimensions: which should I use?

Use the inside dimensions. Your dog needs the interior space, and outside measurements include frames, walls, trays and padding. If a listing shows only outside numbers, look at the manufacturer’s site for the interior measurements before you buy.

Sources

About the author

Best Pet Supplies Guide

Best Pet Supplies Guide publishes research-based buying guides, size guides and care how-tos for dog, cat and pet home supplies, using manufacturer specifications and guidance from reputable pet-care organizations.

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