Residential Elevator Dimensions



A lot of planning goes into installing an elevator. Having said that, have you considered the standard dimensions of your new machine? If not, then make sure that you are familiar with standard elevator dimensions before calling for a quote. If you don’t have ample room in your home to accommodate the typical elevator dimensions, you may need to consider other possibilities: Find out about smaller products or custom options before paying for pricey home renovations.

Typical Elevator Dimensions in Feet

Unlike large and spacious commercial elevators, the typical elevator dimensions for a home lift’s cab usually won’t exceed more than 15 square feet. This is considerably smaller than the average 22-square-foot commercial elevator cab. Usually, residential elevators are 36 inches (3 feet) wide and 48 inches (4 feet) deep, but choosing a larger cab size is an option if you have ample space.

Elevator Size Considerations

Glass elevator: dimensions in an external configurationOver the past several years, accessibility has become a larger concern with regard to inside elevator size dimensions. Two different requirements must be satisfied: wheelchair access and stretcher access. Typically, elevators provided with side-opening doors do not pose a problem in meeting these requirements. But when an elevator has center-opening doors, a more careful selection must be made.

ADAAG Residential Elevator Size Requirements and Regulations

Nationwide Lifts, a leader in residential elevators, offers a number of models that comply with ADAAG elevator size regulations that are wheelchair-accessible. Our models come in 40-by-48-inch, 44-by-54-inch, and 44-by-60-inch floor sizes, with a 96-inch interior cab height. The standard elevator door height can vary depending on your needs, as can the elevator door width.

Typical Elevator Shaft Dimensions in Feet

Our elevators fit many elevator shaft dimensions between 5 feet by 4 feet and 5 feet by 7 feet. The average shaft length of an in-home elevator is 50 feet. Keep in mind that some styles of elevator will require a pit depth of around 4 feet. Within that 50-foot range, most residential elevators make between three and four stops. Most homeowners don’t have a problem with this specification; however, if your house has more than four stories, you may have to consider a larger machine.

Sizes of Traditional and Contemporary Elevator Models

We offer a variety of traditional and contemporary residential elevator models that provide smooth, comfortable rides and make up to five stops as they ascend the levels of your home.

The Freedom 750 elevator size has a capacity of 1,000 pounds with an elevator cab that runs up to 36 feet per minute. It comes with safety features that include battery-powered lowering, an emergency alarm, and automatic door locks. The standard cab platform elevator size is 35 inches wide and 48 inches deep.

Our Freedom Green model is environmentally friendly, uses 50 percent less power to operate, and is built with 100 percent recycled wood. No machine room is needed, so it preserves living space. The elevator size featured a cab width up to 42 inches and cab length up to 60 inches.

Our newest model, the Vision 830 with a clear acrylic hoistway, has a standard cab platform of 52 inches in diameter and an 84-inch cab height. It is wheelchair accessible and 100 percent code-compliant.

As you can see, our residential home elevators vary in elevator dimensions, but all are wheelchair-accessible and comply with regulations.

Understanding Load Capacity

After you’ve considered your cab dimensions, make sure you understand the load capacity of your elevator of choice. Once you’ve chosen an elevator, be very careful that you don’t overload your machine. If you plan on loading your elevator with heavy hardware or tools, make sure you purchase a standard elevator size that can handle the weight. The average residential elevator has a weight capacity somewhere between 750 pounds and 1,000 pounds. Understand the weight capacity of your elevator and do not to abuse its weight-bearing capabilities if you want to ensure elevator longevity.

Once you’ve settled on the minimum elevator dimensions you’ll need and how many floors you’ll need to service, contact us for a free quote and we’ll help you figure out which product would be best for your situation.

How Big Is an Elevator Shaft? Dimensions and Stops

The average shaft length of an in-home elevator is 50 feet. Within that 50-foot range, most residential elevators make between three and four stops. Most homeowners don’t have a problem with this specification; however, if your house has more than four stories, you may need to consider something closer to a commercial lift size, which we can also provide. We recommend that you decide which floors you want serviced before you call for a quote.

What Is the Standard Elevator Door Width?

Most elevator doors are about 36 inches wide. This is the minimum door width required by ADA standards.

Frequently Asked Questions


What Is the Standard Size of an Elevator?

Most elevators are usually 6.5 to 7 feet wide and 6 feet deep. This is for a standard elevator car. A pneumatic elevator is round and will have completely different dimensions. Their average size is 43 inches in diameter.

How Many People Fit in an Elevator?

The average elevator has a capacity of 1,000 to 2,000 pounds, which would hold at least four or five people, but the actual answer to this question will also depend on the physical dimensions of your lift. A residential elevator is typically designed to carry one or two people.

How Much Space Is Needed for an Elevator?

You will need about 20 square feet of space or less for your home elevator. According to building codes, a home elevator typically won’t be more than 18 square feet, and an elevator with a shaft usually needs about 5 square feet of shaft space.

Is an Elevator Required in a Two-Story Building?

Elevators are not usually required in buildings with less than three stories, but local building codes may vary.

How Much Do Different Elevator Sizes Cost?

Contact us for a free quote and we’d be glad to go over the specifics of your needs and give you an exact price.


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