Dog bed size calculator
Measure your dog the way it sleeps. You get the inside sleeping area the bed needs, with the room added, and an example of how a real bolster bed's sizes compare.
Tim de JongHow does your dog usually sleep?
Nose to base of tail, lying down
Optional, to compare with weight-based sizes
Optional, fills in a typical weight
Sleeping area at least
39–42inches
Measure the inside of the bed, not the outside: bolsters can take a foot or more off the listed size.
- Your dog
- 30 in
- + 9 in
- 39 in
- + 12 in
- 42 in
How we got there
- Stretched out, your dog measures 30 in.
- + 9 in to 12 in of room (Snoozer's sizing guide) = 39 in to 42 in.
- That is the inside length of the sleeping area. A bed with at least one open side leaves room to stretch out.
Example: Orvis Memory Foam Couch bed
X-Large: 39 in × 32 in inside (54 in × 37 in outside), listed for dogs of 90 lb to 120 lb.
Bed = sleeping length + 9 in to 12 in (Snoozer). When in doubt, both Snoozer and Orvis say to size up. Bed size letters aren't standard, so compare inside dimensions on the brand's own chart.
Example bed sizes were checked on the Orvis website in October 2026. Bed sizes differ a lot between brands, so check the inside dimensions on the chart of the bed you buy.
How do you measure a dog for a bed?
Measure your dog the way it actually sleeps, not the way it stands. Snoozer's sizing guide measures the dog in its typical lying position, from the nose or front legs to the back legs or rump. Big Barker's guide uses the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. The easiest way:
- Wait until your dog is asleep or settled in its favorite spot.
- Stretched out: measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. If the legs reach further than the nose or rump, measure to the paws.
- Curled up: measure straight across the curl at its longest point.
- Add 9 to 12 inches, as Snoozer recommends. That is the inside length (or, for a round bed, the inside width) to look for.
Sleeping area = sleeping length + 9 to 12 in
Worked example: a dog that is 30 in (76 cm) long stretched out needs a sleeping area of 39 to 42 in (99 to 107 cm).
Dog bed size chart by dog length
Find your dog's sleeping length in the left column. The other columns give the inside sleeping area to look for.
| Dog's sleeping length | Bed, minimum | Bed, roomy |
|---|---|---|
| 16 in (41 cm) | 25 in (64 cm) | 28 in (71 cm) |
| 20 in (51 cm) | 29 in (74 cm) | 32 in (81 cm) |
| 24 in (61 cm) | 33 in (84 cm) | 36 in (91 cm) |
| 28 in (71 cm) | 37 in (94 cm) | 40 in (102 cm) |
| 32 in (81 cm) | 41 in (104 cm) | 44 in (112 cm) |
| 36 in (91 cm) | 45 in (114 cm) | 48 in (122 cm) |
| 40 in (102 cm) | 49 in (124 cm) | 52 in (132 cm) |
| 44 in (112 cm) | 53 in (135 cm) | 56 in (142 cm) |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 57 in (145 cm) | 60 in (152 cm) |
Inside vs outside: why bolster beds run small
Beds are sold by their outside size, but your dog only lies on the inside. On bolster and couch-style beds the padded walls can take a foot or more off the listed length. Orvis is one of the few brands that lists both:
| Size | Listed for | Outside (in) | Inside (in) | Dog length up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium | 40–60 lb | 40 × 26 | 28 × 21 | 16–19 in |
| Large | 60–90 lb | 44 × 31 | 32 × 25 | 20–23 in |
| X-Large | 90–120 lb | 54 × 37 | 39 × 32 | 27–30 in |
So even the X-Large, 54 inches long on the outside, suits a dog no longer than about 30 inches lying down. If your dog is longer, a flat mattress-style bed sold by its full size is often the better buy. Orvis notes that the couch shape's three-sided bolster gives a dog a place to lean or rest its head, while the open side makes stretching out easy.
Can you choose a dog bed by weight or breed?
Many brands print a weight range next to each size, and some, like Big Barker, group breeds into size bands. They are a fair starting point, but Snoozer's guide steers owners towards measuring instead, because two dogs of the same weight can have very different lengths. In the calculator, picking a breed fills in a typical weight so you can compare; if weight and length disagree, go by the length.
For a puppy, Snoozer describes two reasonable routes: buy a small bed now and accept it will be outgrown, or buy a full-size bed for the adult dog. If you choose the second, the puppy weight calculator helps you estimate how big your puppy will get.
Which type of dog bed should you get?
Size comes first, then the type. The AKC's guide to dog beds matches types to dogs like this:
- Orthopedic: senior dogs and dogs with joint or hip pain, and as preventive care for younger dogs.
- Elevated or cot beds: help keep dogs cool and support their joints.
- Covered or burrow beds: anxious dogs and dogs that like to burrow under blankets. See our beds for dogs who like to burrow.
- Warming beds: small dogs, puppies and single-coated dogs that seek out warmth.
Whatever the type, the AKC recommends a removable cover you can wash weekly. If your dog sleeps on your bed and struggles to get up there, the dog ramp calculator works out how long a ramp needs to be. For a bed inside a crate, measure the crate floor first; the crate size calculator lists common crate dimensions.
Frequently asked questions
How much bigger than my dog should the bed be?
Snoozer's sizing guide adds 9 to 12 inches to your dog's length measured in its usual sleeping position. A dog that is 30 inches long lying down needs a sleeping area of about 39 to 42 inches.
Is it better to get a bigger dog bed?
If you are between two sizes, yes. Snoozer and Orvis both say to size up when in doubt: a bed that is too small goes unused, while a slightly big one still works. The exception is a bed that won't fit the spot or the crate you want it in, so measure that space too.
What size is a large dog bed?
There is no standard. As one example, Orvis's Large Memory Foam Couch bed measures 44 × 31 inches outside but 32 × 25 inches inside, and is listed for dogs of 60 to 90 lb. Another brand's Large can be quite different, so compare inside measurements.
Should I measure my dog standing or lying down for a bed?
Lying down, in the position it usually sleeps. Snoozer's guide measures the dog in its typical lying position. A dog that sprawls on its side needs more length than its standing nose-to-tail measurement suggests, and a dog that curls up needs less.
What kind of bed is best for an older dog?
The AKC suggests orthopedic beds for senior dogs and dogs with joint or hip pain. Look for a low edge or an open side so your dog can step on without climbing, and a removable cover you can wash.
Sources
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