Sizing & fit
How to measure your pet for an airline crate.
Four measurements, a tape measure and five minutes. Send them to us and we work out the crate; you never need to know a single crate size.
The four measurements
Measure your pet standing naturally on a flat floor, in centimetres. A second pair of hands helps with wriggly animals.
Nose to root of tail
From the tip of the nose to where the tail meets the body, not to the end of the tail.
Ground to elbow
From the floor to the elbow joint of the front leg.
Width across the shoulders
The widest point of your pet, usually across the shoulders. Measure straight across, not around.
Standing height
From the floor to the top of the head, or to the tips of the ears, whichever is higher, while your pet stands naturally without slouching.
What we do with the numbers
IATA's Live Animals Regulations set the fit: your pet must be able to stand at full natural height, turn around and lie down normally inside the crate. In practice the crate is sized from your measurements roughly like this:
- Length: A plus half of B, so there is room ahead of the nose and behind the tail.
- Width: at least twice C, so your pet can turn comfortably.
- Height: D plus clearance for bedding and headroom, so ears and head never touch the roof.
Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are built a size up with extra ventilation, which most airlines require and all vets recommend. We apply the exact formula and your airline's own rules when we quote, and we sense-check your numbers against the breed and weight you give us. If anything looks off, we call you before we build.
Airlines make the final decision on acceptance at check-in, so always confirm the crate spec with your airline or agent before travel. We will give you the dimensions and details you need to do that.
Got your four numbers?
Send them over with your travel date and we'll come back within one working day with the crate size, the price and the build time.