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Dog crate size calculator

Measure your dog in four places to see the minimum inside size of the crate. For the car, shoulder height is enough.

What’s the crate for?
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  1. 1 Length from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail
  2. 2 Height from the floor to the elbow
  3. 3 Width across the shoulders or at the widest point, whichever is wider – measured from the front
  4. 4 Height standing, from the floor to the top of the head or the ear tips, whichever is higher
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IATA adds the bedding to the height but gives no number. We use 2 in (5 cm), at most 3 in (7.6 cm) (American Airlines Cargo).

IATA requires a 10% larger crate. Lufthansa, KLM, Delta and Air Canada don’t take snub-nosed breeds in the cargo hold.

Minimum inside size of the crate

34 × 18 × 28 in

Length × width × height

These are inside measurements. Crate sizes in stores are often outside measurements – measure the inside.

IATA’s actual rule: your dog can stand, sit up, lie down naturally and turn around. The formula is a guide.

Check the largest crate your airline accepts before you buy.

The same formula applies to cats (IATA).

How does IATA calculate it?

Airlines follow IATA’s Live Animals Regulations (2026 edition). Inside length = measurement 1 plus half of measurement 2, width = twice measurement 3, height = measurement 4 plus bedding. Snub-nosed breeds need a 10% larger crate – we apply that to all three measurements, since IATA doesn’t say more. We round up to the next whole inch or centimeter.

The short answer

For flights, the IATA formula applies: inside length = nose to base of tail plus half the height to the elbow, width = twice the shoulder width, height = to the ear tips plus bedding. Snub-nosed breeds need 10% more. Example: 28 in long, 12 in to the elbow, 9 in across the shoulders, 26 in tall – at least 34 × 18 × 28 in inside with 2 in of bedding. For the car, Germany’s animal transport regulation sets minimum sizes by shoulder height, for example 30 × 20 × 22 in for a dog with 15 in shoulder height.

How we calculate: formulas and sources

Questions

What size crate does my dog need?

Big enough for your dog to stand, sit up, lie down naturally and turn around – that’s IATA’s rule for flights. The formula: length = nose to base of tail plus half the elbow height, width = twice the shoulder width, height = to the ear tips plus bedding.

What size crate for the car?

There’s no fixed rule for private trips. The AVMA says the crate should let your pet stand, turn around and lie down. Germany’s ADAC advises going one size smaller rather than bigger: room to lie down, but not to wander.

Are crate sizes inside or outside measurements?

Stores often list outside measurements, while the IATA formula gives inside measurements. Measure the inside before you buy.

Can my pug fly?

Often not in the cargo hold: Lufthansa, KLM, Delta and Air Canada don’t take snub-nosed breeds there. Where it’s allowed, IATA requires a 10% larger crate.

Does this work for cats?

Yes. The IATA formula applies to dogs and cats.

How do I measure shoulder height?

With your dog standing, from the floor to the highest point of the shoulders, where the neck meets the back.

Sources (10)