Washer and Dryer Dimensions

Knowing how much space you will need for delivery will help you avoid purchasing a washer or dryer that's too large to fit into and navigate through your home.

• Map out the best path from where your new appliance will be unloaded to the spot where it will be installed. A longer route with the fewest obstructions is preferable to a shortcut that's hard to maneuver.
• Measure any exterior entrances or interior doorways from jamb to jamb in the delivery path. If any doors need to be removed to bring your washer and dryer into or through your home, determine who is responsible for removing them.
• Measure the width and height of hallways along the path. If possible, avoid stairs and tight turns.

Tip: Prevent property damage and make the job easier by relocating any furniture, decor or area rugs that are along the delivery path.

There is no true standard size for washers and dryers. Each type of washer and dryer has its own sizes. Plus, different brands can also vary in dimensions. However, on the average, washers and dryers are 24 to 26 inches wide, 38 to 42 inches high and over 30 inches deep.

Whether you position them side-by-side or plan to stack them, washers and dryers come in a variety of styles and sizes. There are top load, front load, compact, stackable, large capacity and specialty washers and dryers. Plus, all laundry areas are different. While you might want a large capacity washer, your laundry area may only have room for stackable units or a compact washing machine and dryer.

Front load washers and dryers have a door on the front rather than on the top. They are usually shorter than top-load machines.

• A standard front load washer is 27 inches wide, 33 to 39 inches in height and 29 to 33 inches in depth.
• A standard front load dryer is 27 to 29 inches wide, 36 inches in height and 30 to 35 inches in depth.
• Allow an open-door clearance of at least another 20 inches.
• Make sure to include the height of any washer and dryer pedestals.
• If the machine has an extended control panel, this can add additional inches to front-loading washer and dryer dimensions.

Tip: Adding washer and dryer pedestals under your appliances can reduce back strain while loading and unloading.

Top load washers have a door on top. Dryers are primarily front load machines.

• A standard capacity top load washer is 27 inches wide, 36 to 42 inches in height and 25 to 28 inches in depth.
• Allow for an open-door clearance of at least another 24 inches.
• Make sure to include the height of any washer and dryer pedestals.
• Some top load washers can have more depth because of an extended control panel or extra features.

Stackable solutions are ideal if you have limited floor space. These front load machines are designed to safely stack on top of one another.

• Stackable standard washers and dryers are 27 inches wide, 75 inches in height and 30 to 34 inches in depth.
• Stackable large capacity washers and dryers are 24 to 29 inches wide, 74 to 83 inches in height and 8 to 33 inches in depth.
• Stackable compact washers and dryers are 23 to 27 inches wide, 74 inches in height and 22 to 24 inches in depth.
• Allow for a top and bottom open-door clearance of at least another 20 inches.

Tip: Different brands offer their own washer and dryer stacking kits or you can get a universal option.

Compact washer and dryers are smaller appliances that work well if you have small loads or limited floor space.

• Compact washers are 24 to 27 inches in wide, 33 to 36 inches in height and 22 to 25 inches in depth.
• Compact dryers are 24 to 30 inches wide, 33 to 36 inches high and 22 to 25 inches in depth.
• Allow for an open-door clearance of around 15 inches.

A large capacity machine can hold a load of up to 25 pounds of laundry while a standard machine holds up to 16 pounds. The larger the capacity, the larger the machine.

• Large capacity front load washers are 27 to 30 inches wide, 38 to 40 inches in height and 30 to 35 inches in depth.
• Large capacity top load washers are 27 to 30 inches wide, 36 to 42 inches in height and 25 to 35 inches in depth.
• Large capacity dryers are 27 to 30 inches wide, 38 to 40 inches in height and 30 to 35 inches in depth.
• Make sure to include the height of any washer and dryer pedestals.

Portables, laundry centers and all-in-ones are lightweight, space-saving appliances. Portables are washing and drying machines that can be plugged in anywhere. Washer and dryer combo machines use the same tub for washing and drying. Laundry centers stack a washer and dryer in a very compact space. Each of these appliances is ideal for small, infrequent loads. They are a popular choice for RV’s, dorms or studio apartments.

• Portable washers are 17 to 22 inches wide, 30 to 37 inches in height and 17 to 22 inches in depth. Portable dryers are 23 to 26 inches wide, 27 to 35 inches in height and 17 to 22 inches in depth.
• All-in-ones or washer-dryer combo machines are 23 to 27 inches wide, 33 to 38 inches in height and 20 to 25 inches in depth.
• Laundry centers are 23 to 27 inches wide, 74 inches in height and 27 to 29 inches in depth.

Once you decide what type of washer and dryer you want, measure your laundry area space. It’s important that your new washer and dryer fits and works well in the space. Below are some basic measurements to keep in mind:

• Above: Allow 20 to 24 inches above a top-load machine. This allows the door to fully open.
• In front: Add in about 3 to 4 feet to the depth of a washer-dryer combo. This will make sure the door clears any walls and it’s easy to load and unload.
• Behind: Allow about 6 inches behind the machines for venting space, hoses, cords and floor trim.
• Sides: Leave about an inch of space between and on each side of your washer and dryer to minimize noise.