Many sofas are returned because they cannot get into the room. Sofas are usually carried on end or on their back, so the frame height must clear the narrowest doorway or hallway, and with a lift the sofa’s length must fit the lift’s diagonal or height. Leave about 12 in clear at each end of the wall.
How to use the Sofa Size Calculator
- Delivery route
- Narrowest door width
- Hallway width
- Staircase width
- Lift height
- Lift depth
- Wall length
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Choose how the sofa gets in, then enter the narrowest door, hallway and stair widths, the lift dimensions (if any) and the length of the wall it will stand against.
Tips
- Use the figures from your own bills and product labels – prices and appliance ratings vary widely.
- Look at yearly totals: small daily costs add up and make it easier to compare options.
- Round quantities up to whole packs, rolls or bulbs when you shop.
- Re-check the numbers when prices change; most results scale directly with the unit price.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing watts (power) with watt-hours or kilowatt-hours (energy).
- Comparing prices without bringing them to the same unit first.
- Ignoring one-off costs such as installation, delivery or replacement parts.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Delivery route | Choose one: Lift / elevator, Stairs and doors only |
| Narrowest door width | Units: in, cm, ft, m |
| Hallway width | Units: in, cm, ft, m |
| Staircase width | Units: in, cm, ft, m |
| Lift height | Units: in, cm, ft, m |
| Lift depth | Units: in, cm, ft, m |
| Wall length | Units: in, cm, ft, m |
Example values
How the main result changes when Narrowest door width changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Narrowest door width (in) | Maximum sofa width (in) |
|---|---|
| 16 | 96 |
| 24 | 96 |
| 32 | 96 |
| 40 | 96 |
| 48 | 96 |
| 64 | 96 |
Formula
Frame height (depth that can pass) ≤ narrowest of door, hallway and stair width − 4 inWidth ≤ lift height − 4 in (if delivered by lift) and ≤ wall length − 24 inDepth ≤ lift depth − 4 inWorked example
Inputs — Delivery route: Stairs and doors only; Narrowest door width: 32 in; Hallway width: 36 in; Staircase width: 36 in; Lift height: 84 in; Lift depth: 60 in; Wall length: 120 in.
Results — Maximum frame height (depth through doors) = 28 in; Maximum sofa width = 96 in; Maximum depth (lift) = 28 in; Largest common size that fits = 4-seater (≈ 90 in).
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a sofa will fit through the door?
Its height or depth (whichever is smaller) must be less than the door width, with a little room to tilt.
How long is a 3-seater sofa?
Typically 72–84 in (180–215 cm).
Can legs be removed?
Usually – removing legs and doors from their hinges gains 1–3 in.
What formula does the Sofa Size Calculator use?
Frame height (depth that can pass) ≤ narrowest of door, hallway and stair width − 4 in.