Recliner Dimensions: How Big a Recliner Is Upright and Reclined
A recliner changes size when you use it. These are the closed and open dimensions for each type, the wall clearance each one needs, and how to pick a size for the person who will sit in it.
A standard recliner is 30-40 in (76-102 cm) wide, 34-42 in (86-107 cm) deep and 38-42 in (97-107 cm) high when upright. Fully reclined it stretches to 60-72 in (152-183 cm) from back to footrest, and a standard model needs about 12 in (30 cm) of space behind it; a wall-hugger needs only 4-6 in.
- Width
- 30-40 in (76-102 cm)
- Depth, upright
- 34-42 in (86-107 cm)
- Length, reclined
- 60-72 in (152-183 cm)
- Seat height
- 18-21 in (46-53 cm)
On this page
Recliner dimensions by type, upright and reclined
Every recliner has two footprints: the closed size you see in the showroom and the open size you need on the floor. The reclined length is the one that decides whether it fits.
| Type | Width | Depth closed | Length reclined | Height | Space behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petite / small | 28-33 | 32-36 | 55-62 | 36-40 | 4-12 |
| Wall-hugger (wall-saver) | 30-38 | 34-40 | 58-68 | 38-42 | 4-6 |
| Standard pushback or lever | 32-40 | 36-42 | 62-70 | 38-42 | about 12 |
| Rocker recliner | 32-40 | 36-42 | 62-72 | 38-42 | about 12, plus rock |
| Swivel glider recliner | 30-36 | 34-38 | 58-66 | 38-42 | 6-12 |
| Power lift chair | 30-38 | 36-40 | 60-70 | 40-44 | 4-12 |
| Oversized / big and tall | 38-44 | 40-44 | 68-76 | 40-44 | about 12 or more |
The same table in metric: a standard recliner is 81-102 cm wide, 91-107 cm deep closed and 157-178 cm reclined, 97-107 cm high. Petite models start at 71 cm wide and 140 cm reclined; big-and-tall models run to 112 cm wide and 193 cm reclined. These are typical catalog ranges; the exact figures are on each model's spec sheet, usually labeled "fully reclined depth" and "wall clearance".
How much floor space a recliner needs
Add three numbers: the space behind, the reclined length, and the walkway or furniture in front.
| Recliner | Wall gap | Reclined length | Total before walkway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall-hugger | 5 in | 64 in | 69 in (175 cm) |
| Standard recliner | 12 in | 66 in | 78 in (198 cm) |
| Rocker recliner | 12 in | 68 in | 80 in (203 cm) |
| Big and tall | 14 in | 72 in | 86 in (218 cm) |
Leave at least 30 in (76 cm) of walkway beyond the extended footrest if people pass in front. In practice, a standard recliner on a living room wall claims roughly 9 ft (108 in) of depth for itself and the path past it. That is why wall-huggers are the usual choice in rooms under 12 ft across.
Recliners with a side lever or button need 2-4 in beside the arm for your hand. Swivel and glider recliners need clearance all round: allow the chair's depth as a circle of free space if it turns.
Choosing a recliner size for the user's height
A recliner only fits if three points line up with the body: the head on the headrest, the lumbar curve in the back cushion, and the calves on the footrest with the heels supported. Brands sell the same style in two or three sizes for this reason.
| User height | Size to look for | Seat height | Seat depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 ft 4 in 163 cm | Petite / small | 17-18 in 43-46 cm | 18-20 in 46-51 cm |
| 5 ft 4 in to 6 ft 163-183 cm | Standard / medium | 18-20 in 46-51 cm | 20-22 in 51-56 cm |
| Over 6 ft 183 cm | Tall / big and tall | 20-21 in 51-53 cm | 21-23 in 53-58 cm |
- Sit with feet flat. Thighs should be level and feet on the floor without the seat edge pressing behind the knees.
- Recline fully. The back of your head should rest on the headrest, not above it. If your head hangs over the top, the chair is too short.
- Check the footrest. Your heels should land on the footrest, not hang past it. Tall users often find their feet dangling on standard models.
- Check the weight rating. Standard recliners are commonly rated around 250-300 lb (113-136 kg). Big-and-tall and heavy-duty models are built for 350-500 lb (159-227 kg). The rating is on the spec sheet.
Lift chair sizes
Power lift chairs tilt forward to help the user stand. Because the user's feet must reach the floor in the lifted position, fit is tighter than for an ordinary recliner, and manufacturers publish recommended user height ranges for each size, typically labeled petite, small, medium, large and extra large.
- Footprint: about 30-38 in (76-97 cm) wide and 36-40 in (91-102 cm) deep closed, similar to a standard recliner.
- Seat height: usually 19-21 in (48-53 cm) upright, which is already easier to rise from than a sofa.
- Weight capacity: standard lift chairs are commonly rated around 300-375 lb (136-170 kg). Heavy-duty or bariatric models go to 500 lb (227 kg) or more and are wider.
- Power: a lift chair needs an outlet within reach of its cord. Many include a backup battery so the chair can return upright during a power cut.
Choose by the user's height range on the manufacturer's chart, not by the chair's outer dimensions. If two sizes overlap at the user's height, pick the one whose seat depth leaves 2-4 in behind the knees.
Reclining sofas, loveseats and sectionals
Reclining seating uses the same mechanisms, so each reclining seat needs the same open length as a recliner chair.
| Piece | Width | Depth closed | Depth reclined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reclining loveseat (2 seats) | 58-80 in 147-203 cm | 37-41 in | 59-67 in |
| Reclining sofa (3 seats) | 79-91 in 200-230 cm | 37-41 in 94-104 cm | 59-67 in 150-170 cm |
| Loveseat with center console | 74-80 in 188-203 cm | 37-41 in | 59-67 in |
| Home theater row, per seat | 30-40 in 76-102 cm | 36-42 in | 62-72 in |
In a sectional, the corner wedge usually does not recline, and only the end seats or selected seats have mechanisms. For standard sofa widths and sectional configurations, see the sofa dimensions guide. Home theater rows should be spaced so the extended footrests of one row clear the backs of the row in front by at least 18-24 in for walking.
Recliner alternatives when space is tight
- Armchair and ottoman: about 34 × 36 in plus a 20 × 20 in ottoman, with no wall clearance. The armchair guide and ottoman guide cover matching sizes.
- Wall-hugger in petite size: under 60 in fully open, close to the wall.
- Gaming recliners: some gaming chairs recline to near flat with a pull-out footrest, in an office-chair footprint. See gaming chair dimensions.
Room-level spacing rules, including walkways around recliners and sofas, are collected in the furniture dimensions guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a recliner when fully reclined?
Most recliners measure 60-72 in (152-183 cm) from the back of the backrest to the end of the footrest when fully open. Small and petite models start around 55-60 in; oversized and big-and-tall models can exceed 72 in. Add the wall clearance behind to get the total floor length.
How much space do you need behind a recliner?
A standard rocker or pushback recliner typically needs around 12 in (30 cm) behind it, and some need more; the spec sheet lists the figure. Wall-hugger (wall-saver) recliners slide the seat forward as they recline, so they need only about 4-6 in (10-15 cm).
What is the standard recliner seat height?
Recliner seats are usually 18-21 in (46-53 cm) from the floor, a little higher than a sofa seat because of the reclining mechanism under the cushion. Petite models drop to about 17 in, and lift chairs often have seats around 19-21 in.
What are the dimensions of an electric recliner chair?
Power recliners have the same footprint as manual ones of the same style, about 30-40 in wide and 60-72 in long reclined. They usually come in wall-hugger form, so the wall gap is small, but they need a power outlet within cord reach, typically 6 ft or so.
How wide is a recliner sofa in cm?
A three-seat reclining sofa is typically 200-230 cm (79-91 in) wide. Each reclining seat takes 76-102 cm (30-40 in), and sectionals with storage consoles between seats add roughly 30-40 cm (12-16 in) per console.
Will a recliner fit through a door?
Usually, because the back of most recliners lifts off the base. Without the back, the base is only about as tall as the arms, roughly 24-28 in, so it usually passes through a 30 in door upright. If the back is fixed, check the diagonal depth against the door's clear width.