Furniture Fit Through Doorway Calculator

How to calculate furniture clearance?

The most critical factor in determining whether a piece of furniture will fit through an opening is the smallest dimension of the furniture compared to the doorway width. If the furniture's depth or height is less than the door's width, it should pass through easily.

For items that must be tilted to fit through narrow passages, use the diagonal formula: D = sqrt(W² + H²), where W is the width and H is the height. This helps calculate the maximum clearance needed during the tilt.

Using the Furniture Fit calculator: an example

Imagine you are moving a 34-inch wide sofa through a 32-inch wide door. By tilting the sofa and moving it at an angle, the 'effective' width of the piece changes, potentially allowing it to clear a door that is narrower than its static width.

Step-by-step calculation:

1. Measure the sofa's narrowest depth to see if it can fit horizontally.
2. Compare the tilted diagonal measurement to the door width.
3. Check the door height against the sofa length if the piece must be stood up vertically to turn a corner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my furniture has removable legs?
Always measure with legs removed to maximize clearance and simplify the moving process.

How much clearance should I aim for?
Ideally, have at least 1-2 inches of space on all sides to avoid wall damage and ensure the movers have enough grip room.

Can I move a sofa around a tight corner?
Use the hallway width input in our calculator; the sofa length must typically be less than the combined width of the entry door and the hallway to pivot successfully.