Dryer Sizes
Standard clothes-dryer dimensions and drum capacity, with notes on venting, stacking, and matching to a washer.
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Last reviewed on 2026-05-02.
Standard dryer dimensions
| Type | Width | Depth | Height | Drum capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact | 24" | 24-26" | 33-34" | 3.0-4.0 cu ft | Apartments and tight closets |
| Standard full-size | 27-29" | 28-32" | 38-44" | 7.0-7.5 cu ft | Most households |
| Large | 27-29" | 30-34" | 40-44" | 7.5-8.5 cu ft | Larger households |
| Extra-large / mega | 27-29" | 32-36" | 42-46" | 8.5-9.2 cu ft | Heavy bedding loads |
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Capacity matching to washers
A dryer's drum is roughly twice the washer's capacity in cubic feet. The wet load expands as it tumbles, and a tight drum slows drying time and reduces fluffing. Pairing a 4.5 cu ft washer with a 7.5 cu ft dryer is a typical match; pairing the same washer with a 9 cu ft dryer leaves more headroom for bulky items like comforters.
| Washer capacity | Recommended dryer capacity | Load profile |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5-3.5 cu ft | 4.0-5.0 cu ft | Small or stackable apartment loads |
| 3.5-4.5 cu ft | 7.0-7.5 cu ft | Standard family loads |
| 4.5-5.5 cu ft | 7.5-8.5 cu ft | Mixed loads with comforters and towels |
| 5.5+ cu ft | 8.5-9.2+ cu ft | Bedding-heavy households |
Electric and gas dryers
Electric: typically a dedicated 240V, 30A circuit with a 3- or 4-prong outlet. Compact 120V models exist for apartments but dry more slowly. Gas: a gas line connection plus a 120V outlet for the controls and motor. Gas dryers usually run hotter, so they finish a load faster than an equivalent electric model.
Venting requirements
Most dryers exhaust through a 4-inch round duct to the outside. The maximum recommended duct length is around 25 feet of straight run, with about 2.5 feet subtracted for each 90-degree elbow and 5 feet subtracted for a hooded termination. Ventless condensing and heat-pump dryers eliminate the duct but extend cycle times and require periodic filter and reservoir maintenance.
Stacking and side-by-side
Front-load dryers can usually be stacked on top of a matching front-load washer using a manufacturer's stacking kit. Top-load dryers cannot be stacked. Side-by-side installation needs total cabinet width of about 54-60 inches plus a few inches between units; tight closets often dictate a stacking layout regardless of preference.
Clearance and door swing
Allow at least 1 inch on each side and behind the dryer for the duct elbow, plus 6 inches in front for the door swing. Some doors are reversible at installation; if the laundry layout is tight, confirm the swing direction matches the wall.