Scale to GramsHow Tall Is the Average Doorway? Standard Heights of US Household Items
Quick Answer
A standard US interior doorway is 80 in (6 ft 8 in / 203 cm) tall and 32-36 in (81-91 cm) wide. Front doors are usually the same height. Standards are set by the International Residential Code.
Measure Your Doorway From a PhotoDoorway height
80 in
6'8" / 203 cm
Ceiling height
8-9 ft
244-274 cm
Counter height
36 in
91 cm
Standard Door Heights
US residential doors are standardized by the International Residential Code (IRC). Most homes follow these defaults, though luxury and custom homes may use taller doors.
| Door type | Height | Width |
|---|---|---|
| Interior doorway | 80 in / 6'8" / 203 cm | 32-36 in / 81-91 cm |
| Front entry door | 80 in / 6'8" / 203 cm | 36 in / 91 cm |
| Sliding glass door | 80 in / 6'8" / 203 cm | 60-96 in / 152-244 cm |
| Garage door (single) | 7 ft / 84 in / 213 cm | 8-10 ft / 244-305 cm |
| Garage door (double) | 7 ft / 84 in / 213 cm | 16 ft / 488 cm |
| Closet door | 80 in / 6'8" / 203 cm | 24-36 in / 61-91 cm |
| Custom tall door | 96 in / 8 ft / 244 cm | 36 in / 91 cm |
Standard Ceiling Heights
Most US homes built after 1980 have 9 ft ceilings on the first floor and 8 ft on upper floors. Older homes often have 8 ft throughout, while custom builds push 10 ft or higher.
| Home type | Ceiling height |
|---|---|
| Older homes (pre-1980) | 8 ft / 96 in / 244 cm |
| Modern standard | 9 ft / 108 in / 274 cm |
| Modern luxury | 10 ft / 120 in / 305 cm |
| Vaulted/cathedral | 12-20 ft / 366-610 cm |
| Basement (finished) | 7-8 ft / 213-244 cm |
Standard Heights of Common Furniture and Fixtures
These are the heights you can rely on without measuring. Useful for visualizing space or as reference points for measuring other things.
| Item | Standard height |
|---|---|
| Kitchen countertop | 36 in / 91 cm |
| Bathroom vanity | 32-36 in / 81-91 cm |
| Dining table | 30 in / 76 cm |
| Coffee table | 16-18 in / 41-46 cm |
| Dining chair seat | 18 in / 46 cm |
| Bar stool seat | 24-26 in / 61-66 cm |
| Counter stool seat | 24 in / 61 cm |
| Standard bed (mattress + box) | 25 in / 64 cm |
| Light switch (from floor) | 48 in / 122 cm |
| Outlet (from floor) | 12-18 in / 30-46 cm |
| Toilet seat | 15-17 in / 38-43 cm |
| Refrigerator | 68-70 in / 173-178 cm |
Vehicles and Outdoor
For comparing your height against common outdoor objects.
| Object | Height |
|---|---|
| Average sedan | 4'8" / 56 in / 142 cm |
| Average SUV | 5'8" / 68 in / 173 cm |
| Average pickup truck | 6'2" / 74 in / 188 cm |
| Stop sign | 7 ft / 84 in / 213 cm to bottom of sign |
| Basketball hoop | 10 ft / 120 in / 305 cm |
| Standard parking meter | 4-5 ft / 122-152 cm |
| Fire hydrant | 2-3 ft / 61-91 cm |
Why the 80-Inch Standard
The 80 in (6 ft 8 in) doorway height comes from the International Residential Code, which most US states have adopted. The number was chosen to comfortably accommodate the 99th percentile of male heights with margin for hats, headwear, and tall hairstyles. Originally based on 1940s building codes, it has held up because the average US adult male is still well under 6 ft tall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is a standard interior door?+
A standard US interior door is 80 in (6 ft 8 in / 203 cm) tall and typically 32 or 36 in wide. Bedroom doors are usually 30-32 in wide; bathroom doors can be as narrow as 28 in.
How tall is an 8-foot ceiling really?+
Exactly 96 in or 244 cm. This is the standard for older homes and most second-story floors in modern homes. Modern first-floor ceilings are usually 9 ft (108 in / 274 cm).
What is the standard height for a kitchen counter?+
US kitchen counters are 36 in (91 cm) tall, measured from the floor to the top surface. Bar height counters are 42 in (107 cm).
How tall is a garage door?+
Single-car garage doors are 7 ft (84 in / 213 cm) tall and 8-10 ft wide. Double-car garage doors are also 7 ft tall but 16 ft wide. RV-friendly garages can have 8-10 ft tall doors.
How tall is a standard light switch?+
US light switches are typically installed 48 in (122 cm) from the floor to the center of the switch. ADA-compliant homes use 44 in (112 cm) for easier access.
Can a 6'8" person walk through a standard door?+
Just barely. Standard doors are exactly 6'8" / 80 in tall, so someone of that exact height has zero clearance. Most 6'8" people duck slightly to be safe.
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