ADA Clearances & Dimensions
A visual reference for the accessible dimensions building pros look up most — pick an element to see its diagram and the exact numbers, each cited to the 2010 ADA Standards.
Space a wheelchair needs to reverse direction — a 60″ circle or an equivalent T-shape.
The rules behind the numbers
Every dimension here is transcribed from the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design — the federal technical requirements published by the U.S. Access Board and adopted under the ADA. The values are grouped the way the standard is: the building blocks in Chapter 3 (turning space §304, clear floor space §305, knee & toe clearance §306, protruding objects §307, and reach ranges §308), doors and their maneuvering clearances (§404), the plumbing elements in Chapter 6 (drinking fountains §602, toilets §604, lavatories §606), and site and built-in elements (parking §502, handrails §505, and counters §904/§902).
These are federal new-construction values. State and local codes (for example California's CBC Chapter 11B), ICC A117.1, alterations to existing buildings, and the public right-of-way guidelines (PROWAG) can set different figures — use this to look up and visualize the rule, then confirm the governing number with your AHJ. Need ramp geometry? Use the ADA ramp slope calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wheelchair turning space?
A 60-inch (1525 mm) diameter circle, or a T-shaped space within a 60-inch square with 36-inch-wide arms and base, under the 2010 ADA Standards §304.3. Always verify against your AHJ and adopted code.
How much clear floor space does a wheelchair need?
30 inches by 48 inches (760 × 1220 mm) minimum, positioned for a forward or parallel approach (§305.3). In an alcove it grows: 36 inches wide for a forward approach deeper than 24 inches, or 60 inches wide for a parallel approach deeper than 15 inches (§305.7).
What is the maneuvering clearance at an ADA door?
It depends on the approach. A front approach on the pull side needs 60 inches perpendicular to the door plus 18 inches beyond the latch side; a front push needs 48 inches (Table 404.2.4.1). Doors also need a 32-inch minimum clear opening (§404.2.3).
How high can an accessible reach be?
Unobstructed, the high reach is 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low reach is 15 inches (380 mm) minimum, for both forward and side reaches (§308). Over an obstruction, the maximum drops to 44 inches (forward) or 46 inches (side).