Bathtub Sizes: Standard Dimensions for Every Type of Tub
Bathtub dimensions for replacing a tub or planning a bathroom: alcove, drop-in, freestanding, corner, Japanese and walk-in tubs, metric and UK sizes, plus capacity, filled weight and the space a tub needs.
The standard US bathtub is an alcove tub measuring 60 × 30 in (152 × 76 cm), or 60 × 32 in (152 × 81 cm), and 14-16 in (36-41 cm) tall. It holds about 40-50 gallons (150-190 L) to the overflow. In the UK and Europe the standard bath is 1700 × 700 mm (67 × 27.6 in).
- Standard alcove
- 60 × 30 in
- Metric
- 152 × 76 cm
- Height
- 14-16 in (36-41 cm)
- Capacity
- 40-50 gal (150-190 L)
On this page
Bathtub sizes chart by type
Length and width are the outside dimensions of the tub, which is what you fit into the room. The height is to the rim, and the water depth (to the overflow) is always several inches less.
| Tub type | Length | Width | Height | Typical capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcove (standard) | 60 in (152 cm) | 30-32 in (76-81 cm) | 14-16 in (36-41 cm) | 40-50 gal (150-190 L) |
| Alcove (short / long) | 54 or 66-72 in (137 or 168-183 cm) | 30-36 in (76-91 cm) | 14-20 in (36-51 cm) | 35-60 gal (130-230 L) |
| Drop-in / undermount | 60-72 in (152-183 cm) | 30-42 in (76-107 cm) | 18-24 in (46-61 cm) | 50-80 gal (190-300 L) |
| Freestanding | 55-72 in (140-183 cm) | 27-32 in (69-81 cm) | 22-24 in (56-61 cm) | 50-70 gal (190-265 L) |
| Clawfoot | 54-72 in (137-183 cm) | 28-32 in (71-81 cm) | 24-30 in (61-76 cm) | 40-70 gal (150-265 L) |
| Corner | 60 × 60 in (152 × 152 cm) | (square, angled front) | 18-22 in (46-56 cm) | 60-100 gal (230-380 L) |
| Japanese soaking | 40-48 in (102-122 cm) | 28-30 in (71-76 cm) | 24-30 in (61-76 cm) | Varies; sit upright, shoulder-deep |
| Walk-in | 52-60 in (132-152 cm) | 28-32 in (71-81 cm) | 37-40 in (94-102 cm) | 50-80 gal (190-300 L) |
Capacities are manufacturers' overflow volumes for typical models. They vary a lot inside each type because the inside shape (sloped back, armrests, flat or contoured floor) matters as much as the outside size.
The standard 60 × 30 inch alcove tub
Most US and Canadian homes have a 60 in alcove tub: a three-wall recess with the tub's finished front (apron) facing the room and a shower above it. The 60 in length matches a 5 ft framed opening, which is why replacements are almost always 60 in long.
- Width: 30 in (76 cm) is the most common, 32 in (81 cm) is the roomier option. Measure the alcove depth from the back wall to the front edge of the old tub's flange.
- Drain side: alcove tubs are left-hand or right-hand drain, named by which end the drain is on when you face the tub. A replacement must match unless you move the drain.
- Inside length: the bathing well of a 60 in tub is shorter than 60 in because of the walls and the sloped back. Taller adults who want to recline should compare the interior length on spec sheets, or move to a 66 or 72 in tub.
- Water depth: about 11-13 in (28-33 cm) to the overflow on standard models. Deeper "soaker" alcove tubs are 18-20 in (46-51 cm) tall and hold 14-16 in (36-41 cm) of water.
For an alcove replacement, measure the opening between the framing studs, not between the tiles. A tub listed as 60 in is made fractionally under 60 in so it slides between studs set 60 in apart. If the walls are out of square, take three measurements and use the smallest.
Metric, UK and European bath sizes
Baths sold in the UK, Europe and Australia are sized in millimeters and run slightly longer and narrower than US tubs.
| Size (mm) | Size (in) | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1400 × 700 | 55.1 × 27.6 | Very small bathrooms |
| 1500 × 700 | 59.1 × 27.6 | Small bathrooms, close to the US 60 in tub |
| 1600 × 700 | 63 × 27.6 | Compact family bathroom |
| 1700 × 700 | 66.9 × 27.6 | The UK standard |
| 1700 × 750 | 66.9 × 29.5 | Wider standard |
| 1800 × 800 | 70.9 × 31.5 | Large and double-ended baths |
UK baths are usually fitted with separate front and end panels, which come in matching lengths (1500-1800 mm) and are trimmed to height on site. A US alcove tub has the apron molded in, so it cannot be cut down to fit.
How much space a bathtub needs
The International Residential Code (R307.1) requires at least 21 in (53 cm) of clear floor in front of a bathtub. Planners usually aim for 30 in (76 cm) or more, which is the width of a typical bath mat plus room to dry off.
- Alcove tub: 60 × 30 in for the tub plus 21-30 in in front gives a minimum zone of about 60 × 51-60 in (152 × 130-152 cm).
- Freestanding tub: leave at least 6 in (15 cm) between the tub and any wall so you can clean behind it, and 12 in (30 cm) or more if you want it to look freestanding. A floor-mounted tub filler needs about 6-8 in (15-20 cm) at one end.
- Corner tub: takes a 60 × 60 in (152 × 152 cm) square plus the front clearance, so with 30 in in front it needs a zone about 60 × 90 in (152 × 229 cm).
- Doorway route: a tub is carried on its side, so the clear door width must exceed the tub's height, not its width. Most alcove tubs (14-16 in tall) pass through any interior door. Check tight stair turns for 66-72 in tubs.
If a tub does not fit, a shower stall takes as little as 36 × 36 in; compare layouts in the shower size guide. For curtains that suit a 60 in tub, see shower curtain sizes.
Bathtub weight and floor load
Water weighs 8.34 lb per US gallon (1 kg per liter), so a filled tub is heavy even before the tub itself is counted.
| Material | Empty weight (60 in tub) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | 60-100 lb (27-45 kg) | Light, warm to the touch, easy to carry upstairs |
| Fiberglass | 50-80 lb (23-36 kg) | Cheapest; can flex and crack over time |
| Enameled steel | 60-120 lb (27-54 kg) | Hard surface, cools water quickly, can chip |
| Cast iron | 300-350 lb (136-159 kg) | Holds heat, needs several people to move |
| Stone resin / solid surface | 200-500 lb (91-227 kg) | Mostly freestanding designs |
A worked example: a 320 lb cast-iron alcove tub with 50 gallons of water (417 lb) and a 180 lb bather totals 917 lb (416 kg). Spread over the tub's 60 × 30 in footprint (12.5 sq ft), that is about 73 lb per square foot, compared with the 40 psf live load that the IRC (Table R301.5) uses for living areas. Joists are designed with margins and the load is local, so standard tubs on sound floors are fine, but heavy freestanding cast-iron or stone tubs on upper floors deserve a check by a builder or engineer.
Picking a tub size
- Shower-first bathroom: a 60 × 30 or 60 × 32 in alcove tub with a shower curtain or glass screen. Lowest height (14-15 in) is easiest to step over.
- Soaking: look at water depth, not rim height. 14 in of water or more covers the shoulders of most adults reclining in a 66-72 in tub.
- Small room: a 54 in or 1500 mm tub, or a Japanese tub where you sit upright.
- Accessibility: walk-in tubs have a door and a seat about 17 in (43 cm) high, but you wait inside while the tub fills and drains. A low-threshold shower is often the more practical choice.
- Hot water: tub makers commonly suggest a water heater of at least two-thirds of the tub's capacity, so a 60 gal (227 L) soaker wants a 40 gal (151 L) tank or larger.
For tile quantities around a tub surround, see tile sizes; for outdoor soaking, see hot tub dimensions.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a luxury bathtub in cm?
Luxury and soaking tubs are usually 170-183 cm long and 80-90 cm wide (67-72 × 31.5-35.4 in), with a water depth of 40-50 cm (16-20 in). Freestanding luxury tubs often run 180 × 85 cm or larger. Check the floor can take the filled weight, which commonly exceeds 300 kg with a bather.
How deep is a standard bathtub?
A standard alcove tub is 14-16 in (36-41 cm) tall outside, and the water depth to the overflow is about 11-13 in (28-33 cm). Soaking tubs are 18-24 in (46-61 cm) tall with 14-18 in (36-46 cm) of water, and Japanese tubs can reach 24-30 in (61-76 cm) deep.
What is the smallest bathtub size?
Full-length alcove tubs start at 54 × 30 in (137 × 76 cm), and some go down to 48 in (122 cm). In metric markets, 1400 × 700 mm and 1500 × 700 mm baths fit small bathrooms. Japanese soaking tubs as short as 40 in (102 cm) trade length for depth.
How heavy is a full bathtub?
Water weighs 8.34 lb per gallon, so 50 gallons is 417 lb (189 kg). Add the tub (about 60-100 lb for acrylic, 300-350 lb for a cast-iron alcove tub) and a bather. A filled cast-iron tub with an adult can exceed 900 lb (410 kg).
What size water heater do I need for a bathtub?
Tub makers commonly suggest a tank water heater of at least two-thirds of the tub's capacity, because hot water is mixed with cold. A 60-gallon soaking tub calls for at least a 40-gallon heater by that rule. Other hot water use at the same time raises the need.