Free tool
Pet Crate Size Calculator
Measure your pet in four places and see the minimum airline crate for flying as cargo, using the same formula the airlines use. Works for dogs and cats, in cm or inches.
Find your crate size
Two pets can share only if each weighs 14 kg or less and they are used to living together. Enter the measurements of the larger pet.
Three puppies or kittens under 6 months old can share. Enter the measurements of the largest one.
Measurements
Measure with your pet standing. If you are between numbers, round up.
Enter all four measurements to see the minimum crate for your pet.
Minimum inside size needed:
The crate size is an estimate based on the measurements you enter. Your pet may need a bigger crate once we see them in person, and the airline makes the final call at check-in. We will confirm the crate before we order it.
Your pet needs a custom crate
These measurements need more room than a 700 series, the largest standard airline crate. We price custom crate moves by hand.
Snub-nosed breed: we added 10% to each measurement, as IATA asks for these breeds. The airlines have extra rules for them, so we price the move by hand. See snub-nosed breeds and flying.
Strong breed: the airlines need a reinforced crate (IATA Container Requirement 82), not a standard plastic crate. Use this result as a guide to the inside space. We price strong breed moves by hand.
Pit bull type dogs are restricted in Ontario, so they cannot travel through Toronto Pearson. Contact us before you plan the move.
Hairless breed: WestJet does not carry hairless breeds as cargo from December 1 to March 31.
Large crates do not fit on every aircraft. We check the aircraft for your flight before we book.
We confirm the crate size before anything is ordered.
Airline crate size chart
These are the standard hard plastic airline crates (Petmate Sky Kennel), named by series. The inside size is what counts for your pet. The outside size is what the airlines use for space and price.
| Series | Inside, inches | Inside, cm | Outside, inches | Outside, cm | Empty crate | Weight guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 series (21 inch) | 18.75 x 13.5 x 14.5 | 47.6 x 34.3 x 36.8 | 21 x 16 x 15 | 53.3 x 40.6 x 38.1 | 2.84 kg | up to 15 lb |
| 200 series (28 inch) | 24.25 x 18.25 x 19.5 | 61.6 x 46.4 x 49.5 | 28 x 20.5 x 21.5 | 71.1 x 52.1 x 54.6 | 5.67 kg | 15 to 30 lb |
| 300 series (32 inch) | 29.5 x 19.75 x 23.5 | 74.9 x 50.2 x 59.7 | 32 x 22.5 x 24 | 81.3 x 57.2 x 61 | 7.26 kg | 30 to 50 lb |
| 400 series (36 inch) | 32.5 x 22 x 26 | 82.6 x 55.9 x 66 | 36 x 25 x 27 | 91.4 x 63.5 x 68.6 | 9.41 kg | 50 to 70 lb |
| 500 series (40 inch) | 36.25 x 24.75 x 28.8 | 92.1 x 62.9 x 73.2 | 40 x 27 x 30 | 101.6 x 68.6 x 76.2 | 13.83 kg | 70 to 90 lb |
| 700 series (48 inch) | 44 x 29 x 32.5 | 111.8 x 73.7 x 82.6 | 48 x 32 x 35 | 121.9 x 81.3 x 88.9 | 23.36 kg | 90 to 125 lb |
Sizes are length x width x height. The weight guide is the maker's rough guide only: we always choose the crate from measurements, not weight. There is no 600 or 800 series. A pet too big for a 700 series needs a custom crate.
We sell crates in every series, ready to fly with bedding, food and water dishes, labels and cable ties. The crate is added to your quote if you need one. See airline pet crates.
How to measure your pet
Measure with your pet standing on a flat floor. A soft sewing tape works best. A second person to hold a treat helps a lot.
- A: from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, not the tip of the tail.
- B: from the floor to the elbow (the joint at the top of the front leg).
- C: the width across the shoulders or the widest point of the body, whichever is greater.
- D: from the floor to the top of the head or the tips of the ears, whichever is higher, with your pet standing.
How the calculator works
It uses the formula from the IATA Live Animals Regulations, which Air Canada and WestJet both follow:
- Inside length at least A plus half of B
- Inside width at least C times 2 (times 3 for two pets sharing, times 4 for three young pets)
- Inside height at least D, plus 4 cm for bedding
We add 2 cm to each size because measuring at home is never exact, and 10% for snub-nosed breeds. Then we pick the smallest series that is big enough in all three directions.
Cabin carrier or cargo crate?
"Airline pet carrier" can mean two different things.
A cabin carrier is a soft bag for a small dog or cat flying with you. It goes under the seat in front of you. Each airline sets its own size and weight limits, so check the Air Canada pet policy or WestJet pet policy.
A cargo crate is a hard plastic kennel for a pet flying in the hold, with or without you. It must be rigid plastic in two parts with a solid roof, a metal door held with metal nuts and bolts, air holes on all four sides, no wheels, and food and water dishes fixed to the door. Wire, folding and soft crates are not accepted. The size comes from the formula above.
Moving your pet across the country? Read our guide to moving pets across Canada, or see what it costs for each crate size.
Crate sizes: questions
What size crate does my dog need to fly?
How do I measure my pet for an airline crate?
What are the airline pet carrier dimensions?
Can two pets share one crate?
Do you sell airline crates?
Want us to handle the crate and the flight?
We confirm the crate size, supply the crate, book the flight and pick up your pet in Toronto.