Quick answer
What are standard service elevator dimensions?
A service elevator cab is typically 60 to 80 in wide and 80 to 101 in deep with a 96 in ceiling, larger and deeper than a passenger cab but smaller than freight. Doors run 48 to 54 in and capacity 2,500 to 4,500 lb. Hospital (stretcher) elevators are sized to hold a gurney, about 64 by 101 in.
Size reference
Service cab sizes by building use.
| Service type | Cab width | Cab depth | Door width | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel service | 60-72 in (152-183 cm) | 80-90 in (203-229 cm) | 48 in (122 cm) | 3,000-3,500 lb |
| Hospital / stretcher | 64-80 in (163-203 cm) | 90-101 in (229-257 cm) | 54 in (137 cm) | 4,000-4,500 lb |
| Office back-of-house | 60-68 in (152-173 cm) | 80 in (203 cm) | 48 in (122 cm) | 2,500-3,500 lb |
| Restaurant service | 48-60 in (122-152 cm) | 60-80 in (152-203 cm) | 42-48 in (107-122 cm) | 2,000-2,500 lb |
Service cabs are deep and narrow to take carts, gurneys, and stacked goods end-on. Hospital elevators follow a stretcher-clearance standard so a gurney fits flat with attendants.
Quick lookups
Quick fit-check examples.
Service elevator vs passenger elevator
A service elevator is the deeper, sturdier cousin of a passenger elevator. It runs 80 to 101 in deep against a passenger cab depth of about 51 in, so it takes carts, room-service trolleys, and stacked boxes that a passenger cab cannot. Hotels and offices route move-ins and deliveries through it to keep the passenger cabs free, so ask for the service elevator when booking a move.
Hospital elevator dimensions
A hospital or stretcher elevator is sized so a gurney fits flat with room for attendants, commonly about 64 in wide by 101 in deep with a 54 in door and a 4,000 to 4,500 lb rating. The depth is the defining number: it is long enough to take a 96 in stretcher end-to-end, which also makes it the easiest elevator for moving long furniture.
Measure smart
What to measure.
Four numbers decide nearly every fit check. Get these right and the rest follows.
- 01Width, depth, and height of the item, taken at the widest points, including any feet, handles, or protrusions.
- 02The clear opening of every space the item passes through, measured at the tightest point rather than the nominal size.
- 03The item's smallest dimension, which decides whether tilting or turning it on edge gets it through.
- 04Diagonal clearance at turns, landings, and openings, where the real bottleneck usually is.
Don't make these
Common mistakes.
Most “it didn't fit” stories trace back to one of these oversights.
- ⚠Trusting the printed or nominal size instead of measuring the item and the space yourself.
- ⚠Measuring the frame or outer edge instead of the actual clear opening.
- ⚠Forgetting that a long item can sometimes clear a tight space only when tilted or turned.
- ⚠Planning one space and overlooking the next one in the path.
Run a check
Related fit calculators.
Go deeper
Guides and reference tables.
Frequently asked
Questions we keep getting.
What is a service elevator?
A service elevator is a building elevator sized for goods, carts, and staff rather than general passengers. It is deeper and higher-capacity than a passenger elevator (80 to 101 inches deep, 2,500 to 4,500 pounds) but smaller than a freight elevator, and hotels and hospitals use it for deliveries and move-ins.
01How big is a hospital elevator?
A hospital (stretcher) elevator cab is about 64 to 80 inches wide and 90 to 101 inches deep with a 54 inch door, rated 4,000 to 4,500 pounds. It is sized to take a gurney flat with attendants, which makes its depth the key dimension.
02Is a service elevator the same as a freight elevator?
No. A service elevator carries both staff and goods, has finished walls and a side-sliding door, and is rated 2,500 to 4,500 pounds. A freight elevator is goods-only, has a full-width vertical door, and is rated 4,000 to 20,000 pounds. The service elevator sits between passenger and freight.
03Can I use the service elevator to move furniture?
Usually yes, and it is often the best choice. The service cab is deeper than a passenger cab, so long pieces fit more easily, and buildings prefer move-ins to use it. Confirm with building management, since some require a reservation or padding.
04How wide is a service elevator door?
Service elevator doors are typically 48 to 54 inches (122 to 137 cm) wide, wider than the 42 inch passenger door, so carts and wide items clear the opening. Hospital elevators use the 54 inch door to admit a stretcher.
05
Standards Referenced
- ASME A17.1Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators View source
- ADA 407Elevator accessibility — cab size, door width, and controls View source
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