How to measure for a furniture delivery
Most "it didn't fit" stories start with the wrong number: the nominal door size instead of the clear opening, or the sofa's seat depth instead of its overall depth.
The item: measure its overall box
- Measure length, width (depth) and height at the widest points: arms, feet, handles, hinges, knobs, trim and packaging included.
- Carry Clearance treats the item as that rigid box. If the box can make a move, so can anything inside it, which keeps the results cautious. A real sofa's shape may let it do a bit better. The tool won't count on that.
- Note anything that comes off (legs, doors, cushions). If you'll remove it, measure without it, but only if you really will.
Doors: the clear opening
The usable width is less than the door size. Open the door to 90° and measure from the door stop strip on one side to the face of the open door on the other. This is how the U.S. accessibility standard defines clear width, and it's why a "36 in" door usually gives you less. Measure the height from the threshold to the underside of the head stop. If you can take the door off its hinges, measure that too, but as a separate option.
Hallways and corners
Measure the narrowest point (radiators, skirting, light switches), the width of each leg of every turn, and the lowest ceiling point (lights, beams, smoke alarms).
Stairs
Measure the width between handrails or the narrowest obstruction, the riser height and tread depth, and the headroom measured vertically from the line of the stair nosings to the ceiling or bulkhead. Landings and turns need their own measurements.
Vehicles, lifts and rooms
Measure the opening (it's usually smaller than the space behind it) and the interior separately. In vehicles, measure past wheel arches and seat hinges. In lifts, measure the car interior and the door opening.
Then add a margin
Tape measures, bowing walls and hands on the item all eat space. Carry Clearance adds a safety margin (default 2 in / 5.1 cm, an assumption) to every item dimension. Delivery services and fit calculators commonly advise extra care when clearance is under about 2 in.
Sources
- U.S. Access Board, 2010 ADA Standards §404.2.3: clear width measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90°.
- ItemFits and FitBeforeYouBuy measuring guides (clear opening vs frame, trim, and recommended buffers), accessed Oct 2026.