Last updated: March 2026
Furniture Hallway Turning Radius Calculator
Enter your hallway corner dimensions and furniture measurements — the app calculates whether you can make the turn.
Whether it fits depends on measurements most people get wrong.
Key Measurement
Furniture length and depth vs. corridor widths at the turn
Standard Dimensions
Item: Varies — measure your specific item's length, width, and height
Space: Standard hallway corner: 42–48" wide per corridor. Building code minimum: 36" per corridor
Actual clear openings are usually 1–2″ smaller than the labeled size.
Your exact dimensions probably aren't "standard." Small measurement errors cause big problems — 1 inch can be the difference between fitting and getting stuck.
Related Resources
Verdicts are calculated by comparing all 6 item orientations against the space dimensions using verified building code standards. See our methodology
Takes 10 seconds · No signup needed
1 inch can be the difference between fitting and getting stuck.
“Saved me from a $200 return — the couch was 2 inches too wide for the doorway.” — Online shopper
Standards Referenced
- IRC R311.6Hallways — minimum width 36 in. View source
- ADA 403Accessible routes — minimum clear width and passing space View source
- ANSI A117.1Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities View source
Measurements verified by the ItemFits engineering team · Based on IRC R311.6, ADA 403, ANSI A117.1 · Our methodology
Check Your Exact Fit
Standard sizes say it works — but your measurements are what matter.
Get fit verdicts while you shop
Install the free ItemFits extension — it reads product dimensions on IKEA, Wayfair, Amazon and tells you if it fits before you buy.
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Related Reading
Hallway Furniture Turning Radius Explained
A 36-inch hallway doesn't mean 36 inches of turning space. At corners, the geometry shrinks dramatically. Here's how turning radius actually works.
Moving Furniture Through an L-Shaped Hallway: Strategy Guide
L-shaped hallways force a 90° turn with no extra room. Here are the techniques that professional movers use to navigate tight corners.
Standard Hallway Widths in Apartments: What to Expect
Apartment hallways range from 36 to 48 inches. Building era, type, and local codes determine your hallway width — and what furniture fits through it.
Related fit checks
What to Measure
- 1Pivot geometry: measure both corridor widths at the corner — the sum of both widths roughly determines your maximum flat-carry item length for a 90° turn
- 2Inside and outside wall measurements at the corner — the inside wall is where the item's midsection presses, the outside wall is where the ends sweep
- 3Furniture length as the primary limiting factor — a 7-foot item needs corridors totaling at least 84" of combined width to pivot flat at 90°
- 4Pre-planning the pivot direction — decide whether to carry the item flat, tilt it vertically, or partially disassemble before reaching the corner
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Only measuring corridor width without accounting for the corner geometry — the pivot sweep requires space in both corridors simultaneously
- Ignoring furniture depth — a 72" × 24" bookshelf pivots much easier than a 72" × 36" dresser at the same corridor widths
- Not removing corner obstructions before the attempt — hall tables, shoe racks, thermostats, and protruding doorframes all reduce usable pivot space
- Forgetting to pre-plan the pivot — choosing between flat carry, vertical tilt, or partial disassembly at the corner makes the difference between success and a stuck item
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the turning radius for my furniture?
The turning radius depends on the furniture's length and depth, plus the width of both corridors. As a rough rule: for a 90° turn, you need corridor widths whose sum is at least the furniture's length (when the item is tilted diagonally through the corner). Our calculator runs the exact geometry for your specific dimensions.
What is the maximum furniture length for a standard hallway corner?
For two 42-inch-wide corridors meeting at a 90° angle, the maximum flat-carry length is roughly 84–90 inches (7–7.5 feet). Tilting the item vertically can increase this significantly by reducing the floor-level footprint. Narrower corridors reduce the maximum length proportionally.
Does the shape of the furniture matter for turning radius?
Yes — long, thin items (like bookshelves and bed frames) need less turning space per unit of length than deep items (like dressers and desks). A 72-inch bookshelf that is 12 inches deep is much easier to pivot than a 72-inch dresser that is 24 inches deep.
Can I disassemble furniture to reduce the turning radius needed?
Often yes. Removing table legs, bed rails, or sectional connectors splits the item into smaller pieces. Measure each piece individually — the largest remaining piece determines whether you can make the turn. Most modern furniture is designed for disassembly.
What if I can't make the turn?
Options include: tilting the item vertically, disassembling into smaller pieces, removing hallway obstructions (shoe racks, radiator covers, door trim), or finding an alternate route through a different room or exterior entry point. Worst case, check if a window or balcony offers a viable path.