Buy a crate that is too small and your dog cannot stand up or turn around in it. Buy one that is too big and a puppy will sleep at one end and use the other end as a bathroom. The right crate size comes from two measurements of your dog, not from the breed name on the box. This guide walks through how to measure, gives you a dog crate size chart by weight and breed, and shows which Magic Carpet® crate mat fits each crate floor.
How to measure your dog for a crate
You need two numbers. Have your dog stand naturally on a flat floor.
Length. Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Do not include the tail itself. Add 2 to 4 inches. That is the minimum interior crate length.
Height. Measure from the floor to the top of the head, or to the tip of the ears if they stand up. Add 2 to 4 inches. That is the minimum interior crate height.
The dog should be able to stand without ducking, turn around without touching the sides, and lie flat on its side with legs extended. If your dog is a puppy, size the crate for the adult weight and use a divider panel to shrink the space while it grows. Most wire crates sold today ship with one.
Dog crate size chart
Crates are sold by their length in inches. These are the standard sizes and the dogs that usually fit them. Weight ranges are approximate and your dog's actual measurements always win.
| Crate size | Interior (approx.) | Dog weight | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 inch | 18 x 12 x 14 in | Under 10 lb | Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian |
| 22 inch | 22 x 13 x 16 in | 10 to 20 lb | Maltese, Shih Tzu, Jack Russell, Dachshund |
| 24 inch | 24 x 18 x 19 in | 20 to 30 lb | Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, Pug, Miniature Schnauzer |
| 30 inch | 30 x 19 x 21 in | 30 to 40 lb | Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Corgi, Shetland Sheepdog |
| 36 inch | 36 x 23 x 25 in | 40 to 70 lb | Border Collie, Bulldog, Australian Shepherd, Pit Bull |
| 42 inch | 42 x 28 x 30 in | 70 to 90 lb | Labrador, Golden Retriever, Boxer, Husky |
| 48 inch | 48 x 30 x 32 in | 90 to 110 lb | German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman |
| 54 inch | 54 x 35 x 45 in | Over 110 lb | Great Dane, Mastiff, Saint Bernard |
Interior dimensions vary by brand. A 36 inch crate from one maker can have a floor an inch or two different from another. Measure the plastic tray if you can, since that is what the mat has to fit.
What size crate for my dog if it is between sizes
Go up, not down. A crate that is slightly roomy is a comfort issue you can fix with a divider. A crate that is slightly tight is a welfare issue you cannot fix. The one exception is a young puppy in house training, where too much space slows the process. Use the divider and move it back as the puppy grows.
Wire crate vs. plastic kennel sizing
Wire crates are sold by length and have a removable plastic tray on the floor. Plastic travel kennels are often sold by airline size names (100, 200, 300, and so on) or by small, medium, and large. Their interior floors are usually a little narrower than a wire crate of the same length because the walls are thicker. If you are buying a mat for a plastic kennel, measure the inside floor rather than trusting the label.
Which Magic Carpet® crate mat fits which crate
The Magic Carpet® dog crate mat is a firm, flat, absorbent pad that lays on the crate tray. It soaks accidents and water bowl spills into its core so the surface your dog lies on is not sitting in a puddle, and it hand washes and air dries. It comes in seven sizes. This chart pairs each common crate size with the mat that fits inside the tray.
| Crate size | Typical tray floor | Magic Carpet® size | Mat dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 inch | 21 x 14 in | REG or XS | 11.75 x 18 in or 10.75 x 19.25 in |
| 24 inch | 23 x 17 in | SM | 15.75 x 21.25 in |
| 30 inch | 29 x 18 in | MD | 16.25 x 27 in |
| 36 inch | 35 x 22 in | LG | 19.75 x 33 in |
| 42 inch | 41 x 27 in | XL | 25 x 38.75 in |
| 48 inch | 47 x 29 in | XXL | 26.75 x 44.75 in |
For an 18 inch crate or a 54 inch crate, measure the tray and pick the largest mat that fits inside it. For a 54 inch crate, two mats side by side cover the floor.
Crate setup checklist
Once the crate is the right size, a few things make it a place your dog wants to be.
Put the crate where the family spends time, not in a garage or basement. Dogs are social and a crate in an empty room feels like a punishment. Lay an absorbent mat on the tray first, then a soft bed on top if your dog is past the chewing stage. If an accident happens, the mat takes it, and you wash one mat instead of a whole bed. Keep a water bowl outside the crate for short stays and a spill-resistant bowl inside for longer ones. Feed meals in the crate for the first few weeks so the dog builds a positive association. Leave the door open when you are home so it stops being a cage and starts being a den.
Common questions
Should a dog crate be big enough to stand up in?
Yes. The dog should stand with a couple of inches of clearance above the head or ears, turn around freely, and lie on its side with legs out.
Can a crate be too big?
For an adult dog, a large crate is fine. For a puppy in house training, yes, too big is a problem because the puppy can eliminate in one corner and sleep in another. Use the divider.
What size crate for a Lab?
Most adult Labradors fit a 42 inch crate. A large male may need a 48 inch crate. Measure first.
What size crate for a German Shepherd?
A 48 inch crate fits most adult German Shepherds.
What size crate for a French Bulldog?
A 24 inch crate fits most adult Frenchies. Some stockier dogs do better in a 30 inch crate.
