The single biggest factor in whether your furniture makes it upstairs is the elevator door opening - not the cab interior. Freight elevators have doors nearly twice as wide as passenger elevators, and their cabs are built to handle heavy, bulky loads without damage.
Many smaller apartment buildings (under 6 stories) don't have a freight elevator. In this case, measure the passenger elevator door opening and cab dimensions carefully. You may be able to tilt large items diagonally through the door and use the full cab diagonal for clearance. If the item truly won't fit, consider the stairwell as an alternative — or external hoisting for upper floors.
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Frequently asked
A typical freight elevator cab measures 7-10 feet wide by 6-8.5 feet deep with 8-9.5 feet of ceiling height. The door opening is 48-60+ inches wide and may open as a vertical bi-parting door (up and down) that clears the full cab width.
01Check your building's policy first — many prohibit using passenger elevators for moves to prevent damage to decorative interiors. If allowed, use moving blankets to protect the walls and be mindful of weight limits. You may need to make more trips with smaller loads.
02Yes. Passenger elevator doors typically slide open from the center or one side and are 36-42 inches wide. Freight elevator doors often use a vertical bi-parting mechanism (opening up and down) that clears the full width of the cab opening, typically 48-60+ inches.
03Enter your item and space above — get an instant fit verdict.
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