Free tool
Pet Crate Size Calculator
Take four measurements, enter the weight, and get the smallest airline crate your pet can fly in the hold with. For dogs and cats, using inches and pounds or cm and kg.
Find your crate size
Sharing works only for two puppies or kittens aged 8 weeks to 6 months, each 20 lb or under, that already know each other. Use the bigger one's measurements and the two weights added together.
Measurements and weight
Your pet should be standing. Between two numbers? Use the higher one. Weight helps us land on the correct size.
Fill in A, B, C and D to get the smallest crate that fits.
Inside space your pet needs, at least:
This crate size is our best guess from the details you gave. A larger crate can turn out to be needed once your pet is measured in person, and the airline has the last word at check-in. We confirm the size with you before ordering.
Your pet needs a custom crate
With these measurements, even the 500 series, the biggest standard size, is too small. Moves with a custom crate are priced by hand.
Your pet weighs more than the 500 series is rated for (up to 90 lb). Moves with a custom crate are priced by hand.
This breed cannot fly in the cargo hold
Snub-nosed breeds, and mixes of them, are refused in the hold by Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air, without exception. That is why the calculator gives no cargo crate size here. A small pet whose soft carrier fits under the seat can still ride in the cabin with you. Mention it on the quote form and we will go over what is possible. Read snub-nosed breeds and flying.
For this breed, we confirm with the airline before pricing. The size shown above is still a sound starting point.
Nothing gets ordered until the size is confirmed with you.
Alaska Airlines crate size chart
Alaska Air Cargo accepts five standard sizes. The airline goes by the outside dimensions, but your pet only cares about the space inside. Pet and crate are weighed as one, with a limit of 150 lb.
| Series | Outside, inches | Room inside, about, inches | Empty crate | Pet weight guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 series | 21 x 16 x 15 | 18.75 x 13.5 x 14.5 | 9 lb | up to 15 lb |
| 200 series | 27 x 20 x 19 | 23.25 x 17.75 x 17 | 14 lb | up to 30 lb |
| 300 series | 32 x 22 x 24 | 29.5 x 19.25 x 23.5 | 20 lb | up to 50 lb |
| 400 series | 36 x 24 x 26 | 32.5 x 21 x 25 | 24 lb | up to 70 lb |
| 500 series | 40 x 27 x 30 | 36.25 x 24.75 x 28.8 | 28 lb | up to 90 lb |
Dimensions read length x width x height. Measurements set the size; if your pet is over the weight guide, we step up one size. Pets that outgrow the 500 series get a custom quote.
Every size is available from us, set up for the flight with bedding, food and water dishes and labels. Want one? It goes on your quote. Read about airline pet crates.
How to measure your pet
Stand your pet on a level floor and use a soft tape, like the kind used for sewing. It is much easier with a helper holding a treat.
- A: nose tip to the point where the tail begins. Leave the tail itself out.
- B: floor up to the elbow, the joint where the front leg meets the body.
- C: across the shoulders, or across the widest part of the body if that is wider.
- D: floor to the top of the head or the ear tips, whichever sits higher, while your pet stands.
- Weight: step on a scale with your pet in your arms, then alone, and subtract.
How the calculator works
The math follows the standard airline formula for live animal crates:
- Inside length: A plus half of B, or more
- Inside width: double C, or more (triple C for two young pets sharing)
- Inside height: D or more, plus roughly 1.6 inches to allow for bedding
Home measurements are rarely spot on, so roughly 0.8 inches of extra room is built in. The calculator then picks the smallest size with enough length, width and height, and steps up once more if your pet is over that size's weight guide.
Cabin carrier or cargo crate?
People use "airline pet carrier" for two quite different things.
A cabin carrier is a soft bag that a small dog or cat rides in at your feet, stowed under the seat ahead of you. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines require it to be soft-sided and no larger than 17 x 11 x 9.5 inches. Read the Alaska Airlines pet policy.
A cargo crate is a hard kennel used in the hold, whether or not you are on the flight. Its halves are bolted together, the roof is solid, the metal door fastens securely, there are no wheels, and the food and water dishes clip to the inside of the door. The airline refuses wire, collapsible and fabric crates. The formula above sets the size.
Planning a long move? Read our guide to moving a pet across the country, or see what affects the cost.
Last checked against the official pages on October 6, 2026.
Airline and state rules can change, so check the official page before booking.
Crate sizes: questions
Which crate size will my dog need on a plane?
How should I measure for an airline crate?
What are the Alaska Airlines crate sizes?
How big can a cabin pet carrier be?
Is crate sharing allowed?
Why does the calculator not size my bulldog or Persian?
Do you sell airline crates?
Let us take care of the crate and flight
The same four measurements go into the quote form. From there we settle the size, supply the crate, book the flight and arrange both ends.