Fire Pit Sizes: Diameter, Height, Seating Space and Clearances
Standard sizes for wood-burning, smokeless and gas fire pits, how much space the seating circle takes, how far a fire pit should be from the house under the fire code, and target dimensions for building a block fire ring.
The standard backyard fire pit is 36-44 in (91-112 cm) across the outside and 12-24 in (30-61 cm) tall, with an inside burn area of about 24-36 in. Chairs around a 36 in pit need a circle about 14 ft (4.3 m) across, or about 20 ft (6.1 m) with a walkway behind them.
- Standard diameter
- 36-44 in (91-112 cm)
- Height
- 12-24 in (30-61 cm)
- Seating circle
- About 14 ft (4.3 m)
- IFC recreational fire
- 25 ft from structures
On this page
Fire pit sizes chart
Fire pits are sold by outside diameter (or width, for square models). What decides how many people it warms and how much wood it takes is the inside burn area, which is 6-12 in smaller than the outside on a block or stone pit and only 1-4 in smaller on a steel bowl.
| Outside diameter | Metric | Typical burn area | People | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-24 in | 38-61 cm | 13-20 in | 2-3 | Smokeless and tabletop pits, small patios |
| 28-32 in | 71-81 cm | 20-28 in | 3-5 | Small yards, portable steel bowls |
| 36-44 in | 91-112 cm | 24-36 in | 4-8 | The standard backyard pit |
| 48-60 in | 122-152 cm | 36-48 in | 8-12 | Large groups, built-in stone pits |
Wood-burning pits taller than about 24 in block the view of the fire for seated people and throw less heat onto legs and feet. Most steel bowls stand 12-20 in high and most built block pits 12-18 in, which is about 3 or 4 courses of wall block.
Seating space around a fire pit
Seat fronts should be about 24-36 in (61-91 cm) from the rim of a wood fire: close enough to feel it, far enough to pull feet back from a popping log. The table below uses 30 in plus an Adirondack-size chair 35 in deep.
| Pit diameter | Circle to chair backs | With 36 in walkway behind chairs |
|---|---|---|
| 30 in (76 cm) | 13.3 ft (4.1 m) | 19.3 ft (5.9 m) |
| 36 in (91 cm) | 13.8 ft (4.2 m) | 19.8 ft (6.0 m) |
| 44 in (112 cm) | 14.5 ft (4.4 m) | 20.5 ft (6.2 m) |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 15.8 ft (4.8 m) | 21.8 ft (6.7 m) |
The sum is pit diameter + 2 × (30 + 35) in. For a 36 in pit: 36 + 130 = 166 in, or 13.8 ft. A gravel or paver circle about 14-16 ft across holds the chairs; a patio meant for walking around the group needs about 20 ft. Around a 36 in pit, six to eight Adirondack chairs fit with small tables between them. For layouts that combine a fire pit with dining, see the patio furniture space guide, and for chair sizes, the outdoor furniture dimensions.
How far a fire pit must be from the house
The International Fire Code (IFC), adopted with amendments in most US states, sets the baseline. Check the code your city or county uses, because many change these distances.
| Fire type | Distance from structures and combustibles | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational fire (open fire pit or campfire) | 25 ft (7.6 m) | 307.4.2 |
| Portable outdoor fireplace (manufactured steel bowl, chiminea) | 15 ft (4.6 m), used per the manufacturer's instructions | 307.4.3 |
| Open burning (larger than a recreational fire) | 50 ft (15 m), usually needs a permit | 307.4 |
The IFC defines a recreational fire as one with a total fuel area of no more than 3 ft (91 cm) in diameter and 2 ft (61 cm) high, burned for pleasure, cooking or warmth. A larger fire is open burning. The code also requires the fire to be attended until it is out, with a way to put it out at hand, such as a garden hose or extinguisher.
Keep a fire pit out from under trees, pergolas, umbrellas and roof overhangs, and do not light it in strong wind or during a local burn ban. Embers from a wood fire can travel well beyond the 25 ft distance in a breeze.
Gas fire pit and fire table sizes
Propane and natural gas fire pits produce no sparks or smoke, which is why they are allowed in many places wood fires are not. Their clearances come from the product listing (ANSI Z21.97 / CSA 2.41 for outdoor decorative gas appliances) and the installation manual, not from the recreational fire rules.
| Type | Height | Top size | Burner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee-height fire table | 20-25 in (51-64 cm) | 36-56 in round, or 42-60 × 20-36 in | 12-24 in ring or linear burner |
| Fire bowl | 12-20 in (30-51 cm) | 30-48 in round | 12-24 in ring |
| Dining-height fire table | 28-30 in (71-76 cm) | 48-72 in long | Linear burner in the center |
| Bar-height fire table | 36-42 in (91-107 cm) | 48-72 in long | Linear burner |
Leave a ledge of at least 8-10 in (20-25 cm) between the burner opening and the table edge if people will set drinks or plates there. Residential gas fire pits are typically rated about 30,000-65,000 BTU per hour, with larger built-in burners going higher.
- Propane runtime: a 20 lb cylinder holds about 430,000 BTU, so it runs a 50,000 BTU fire pit on full for about 8.6 hours, and about 14 hours at 30,000 BTU.
- Tank enclosure: a 20 lb cylinder is about 12 in across and 18 in tall, so a hidden-tank base needs an interior of roughly 13-14 in wide and 19-20 in tall, with vents low down.
- Natural gas: needs a fixed line installed by a qualified installer; the burner is usually sized for the line, not the other way round.
Smokeless and portable fire pit sizes
Double-wall "smokeless" pits draw air through the wall to burn off smoke. They are sized smaller than open pits and need shorter wood. Solo Stove's three main sizes are a good reference: Ranger about 15 in, Bonfire about 19.5 in, and Yukon about 27 in across.
- 15-20 in: 2-4 people, 12 in splits or shorter. Light enough to move.
- 24-30 in: 4-6 people, takes standard 16 in firewood.
- Portable steel bowls on legs: 28-36 in across, 15-24 in tall, often with a spark screen and cover.
Most portable pits get hot enough underneath to scorch grass and discolor pavers and composite decking. Use the maker's stand or a heat shield, and see the deck sizes guide for deck materials.
Building a block fire pit: target dimensions
A DIY ring of retaining wall blocks is the most common built fire pit. Plan it around a steel fire ring liner, which keeps blocks from cracking in the heat.
- Choose the inside diameter: 36-44 in for a standard pit. Buy the steel ring first; its outside diameter sets the inside of the wall.
- Set the outside diameter: add twice the block depth. Blocks 10-12 in deep make a 36 in pit about 56-60 in across.
- Count the blocks: blocks per course ≈ π × (inside diameter + block depth) ÷ block length at its midpoint. For a 36 in ring with blocks 12 in deep and about 12 in long: π × 48 ÷ 12 ≈ 12.6, so 13 blocks per course.
- Choose the height: 3-4 courses, about 12-18 in high depending on block height. Taller walls hold heat in and block the view.
- Prepare the base: dig out 6-8 in, lay and compact gravel, and leave the center open for drainage with 2-4 in of gravel or lava rock inside.
- Pave around it: a non-combustible apron at least 2-3 ft wide around the wall stops sparks landing in grass or mulch.
Ordinary concrete block and mortar are not rated for direct fire and can crack or spall. Use the steel liner or fire brick for the inner face. Block dimensions are in the concrete block size guide. For an enclosed fire with a chimney, compare chiminea sizes, and for heat without flames, patio heater sizes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good diameter for an outdoor fire pit?
For four to eight people, 36-44 in (91-112 cm) outside diameter with a 24-36 in burn area. Smaller pits of 24-30 in suit two to four people and small patios; 48-60 in pits are for large groups and need a 15-16 ft seating circle.
How far should a fire pit be from the house?
The International Fire Code requires 25 ft (7.6 m) from structures and combustible material for an open recreational fire, and 15 ft (4.6 m) for a portable outdoor fireplace used per the manufacturer's instructions. Many cities amend these distances, and some ban wood burning on certain days, so check the local fire department's rules.
How tall should a fire pit be?
12-16 in (30-41 cm) is comfortable with low lounge or Adirondack chairs, since you can see the flames and feel the heat on your legs. 18-24 in suits standard-height patio chairs. Gas fire tables are 20-25 in for lounge seating and about 30 in for dining height.
How big is a fire pit insert ring?
Steel fire ring liners for DIY block pits are commonly sold in inside diameters of about 30-44 in, with 36 in the most common, and 8-12 in tall. Buy the ring first and build the block wall around it, rather than the other way round.
What size firewood fits a fire pit?
Standard cordwood is cut to 16 in (41 cm), which burns well in pits with a burn area of 24 in or more. Small smokeless pits under about 20 in across need 12 in or shorter splits so the wood stays inside the burn chamber.
Can I put a fire pit on a wood or composite deck?
Wood-burning pits on a combustible deck are risky and often banned by local codes or the deck maker's warranty. Gas fire tables listed for deck use can go on decks when installed with the clearances in their manual; for any wood-burning pit, use a non-combustible base well beyond the pit's footprint and follow local rules.