Crate to shop
36 inch crate
Long enough to stand, turn, and lie down.
See 36-inch cratesFree fit tool · not a vet exam
What size crate does my dog actually need?
Pick a breed or enter a weight. See the dog at true scale next to a person and a sofa, then get the standard crate and bed size that fits.
Typical adult ranges, not a promise about your individual dog. Measure nose-to-tail-base before you buy.
036 in
5'7" person
Sofa seat
Your dog
Shoulder height, drawn to the same scale.
Bed
Large bed
A bed they can stretch out on.
See matching bedsNumbers
How this calculator picks a crate
Crate makers size a crate from the dog, not from a photo. The usual fitting rule is simple: measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail (where the tail meets the body, not the tip), then add 2 to 4 inches. Height should clear the top of the head, or the ears if they stand taller, with a little room to spare. The dog should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down.
This page estimates that length from a typical adult shoulder height and body shape, then rounds up to a crate size you can actually buy: 22, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, or 54 inches. Weight alone is a shortcut. A long, low dog such as a Dachshund needs more length than a square dog of the same weight. A tall, lean dog needs more height.
If your dog is between two sizes and still growing, size for the adult, not for this month. If the dog is an adult and sits between two sizes, the smaller crate is usually the better house-training fit, as long as they can still stand and turn. When in doubt, measure.
Crate size by weight
| Weight | Usual crate | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 lb | 22 inch | Chihuahua, Yorkie, Maltese |
| 13–25 lb | 24 inch | Shih Tzu, Cavalier, mini Dachshund |
| 26–40 lb | 30 inch | French Bulldog, Beagle, Corgi |
| 41–70 lb | 36 inch | Border Collie, Bulldog, Aussie |
| 71–90 lb | 42 inch | Labrador, Golden, Boxer |
| 91–110 lb | 48 inch | German Shepherd, Rottweiler |
| 110 lb+ | 54 inch | Great Dane, Mastiff |
Weight bands are a starting point. The calculator above adjusts for body shape. A Corgi and a Whippet can weigh the same and need different crates.
Questions people ask before they buy
What size crate for a Labrador?
Most adult Labs land in a 42-inch crate. A smaller female on the low end of the breed range can fit a 36-inch. Measure nose to tail base before you order. A growing Lab puppy should be crated for today’s size, with a divider, not locked into a giant adult crate on day one.
What size crate for a French Bulldog?
Most French Bulldogs fit a 30-inch crate. They are short, not tiny. A 24-inch is often too tight once they are done growing.
Do I buy the adult crate for a puppy?
Buy the adult size only if it has a divider panel. Without a divider, a huge crate removes the den feeling that makes crate training work. Use the divider and move it back as the puppy grows.
Is this medical or training advice?
No. It is a shopping fit estimate from published typical breed sizes and the standard nose-to-tail fitting rule used by crate sellers. It is not a diagnosis, a dosage, or a training plan. If your dog is injured, anxious, or brachycephalic and struggling in a crate, ask your vet.