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How Do I Choose the Right Walk-In Tub for My Bathroom?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. Start with the Bather
  2. Measure the Alcove and the Path in
  3. Let the House Drain Set the Door Side
  4. Check the Door Swing Clearance
  5. Pick Features, Then Confirm with Your Contractor
  6. Related Guides
  7. Related Videos
  8. Common Questions

Choosing the right walk-in tub comes down to four checks: who will be bathing and how they get in, whether the tub fits your alcove and the path into the bathroom, which side your house drain is on, and which therapy features you want. Ella walk-in tubs come in sizes from 26 by 45 inches up to 32 by 72 inches, with the 30 by 52 inch footprint being the most common, and Walk-In Tub and Shower Base Sizes and How to Measure for Fit explains how to measure before you decide.

Start with the Bather

Begin with the specific needs of the person who will use the tub: mobility, comfort and safety. Describe who will be bathing and any mobility concerns to your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850. An outward-swing door eases entry, while a smaller bathroom may favor an inward-swing door, and that single choice narrows the model list quickly. The first video below summarizes this approach: consider your needs, measure your bathroom, pick your features, and line up professional installation.

Measure the Alcove and the Path in

Measure the width, length and height of your existing tub or shower alcove, plus every doorway and hallway the tub must travel through. Then work from the actual size on the model's spec sheet rather than its nominal name. The Petite, for example, is listed as 28 inches wide when its actual exterior width is 27 1/2 inches, which the second video shows. The most common walk-in tub size is 30 by 52 inches, and Ella also offers 32x52, 38x52, 30x60, 30x55, 28x52, 27x60 and 26x45 inch tubs, a transfer-style tub at 60 by 30 inches, and laid-down soaking tubs at 32 by 72 inches. If your alcove is slightly larger than the tub, an Ella extension panel can be cut down to close the gap cleanly.

Let the House Drain Set the Door Side

The door and the drains sit on opposite sides of an Ella walk-in tub. A right-side door puts the drains on the left, and a left-side door puts the drains on the right, with sides taken as you face the tub. Stand where you will approach the tub, note which side your house drain is on, and the door goes on the opposite side. The hand is set at the factory and cannot be reversed after delivery. There is roughly 3 inches of clearance beneath the frame for a 2 inch PVC line and the drain body has ports on both sides, so the house drain does not have to dictate the side, but your licensed installer should confirm the plan. What Is Door Side (Left-Hand vs Right-Hand) on a Walk-In Tub? explains the SKU markings.

Check the Door Swing Clearance

Inward-swing doors need no floor space in front of the tub, so they suit small bathrooms and a nearby toilet. Outward U-shape doors on the Capri, Monaco, Front Entry, Mobile, Lounger, ShaK, Big4One, Tub4Two and Big4Two swing 165 degrees and need about 21 inches of clearance in front. The outward L-shape door on the Transfer family swings 172 degrees and needs about 36.5 inches, and its opening clears a toilet up to about 21 inches tall. If the clear floor in front of the door side is under 21 inches, an inward-swing model is the safer fit. Doors are not interchangeable, so you choose the swing by choosing the tub; Should My Walk-In Tub Door Be on the Left or Right Side? lists which models are inward only and which are outward only.

Pick Features, Then Confirm with Your Contractor

Select the features that enhance the bath, such as hydrotherapy or a heated seat, and get the spec sheet for the model you are considering. Your contractor uses it to confirm the tub fits, locate the house drain and tell you which door side to order. Once model, therapies, door side and installer are settled, your order is confirmed and the tub is assembled, tested and shipped by freight, with the team confirming current timing for your specific order. How Ordering a Walk-In Tub Works When Your Contractor Is Involved: Spec Sheet, Fit Check, Door Side and Delivery lays out each step.

Watch: How to Choose the Perfect Walk-In Tub | Ellau2019s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Measure Your Home First It is important to measure all doorways and hallways to ensure the walk-in tub will fit into your home.
  2. 0:12 Find Tub Dimensions Online Customers can find specific dimensions for each tub model by visiting the Ella's Bubbles website and clicking the download tab.
  3. 0:48 Ensure Easier Installation Proper measurements of all doorways and hallways will help ensure an easier installation process for your walk-in tub.

Watch: How to Choose Your Walk-In Tub | Ella's Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Considering Your Personal Needs The video discusses important factors to consider when choosing an Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub, including personal needs and mobility.
  2. 0:40 Measuring for Proper Tub Fit The video explains how to take shoulder, hip, and overall body measurements to ensure the walk-in tub fits properly.
  3. 2:26 Home Accommodation and Placement The video advises checking door widths and hallways to ensure the chosen tub will fit into the home and bathroom.
  4. 4:17 Ensuring Proper Water Supply The video recommends having a maximum capacity water heater and three-quarter inch supply lines for the walk-in tub.
  5. 4:47 Designing Your Walk-In Tub The video details how to choose jetting packages, including air, hydro, and MicroBubble therapy, and other innovative features.
  6. 6:15 Adding Optional Accessories The video showcases various accessories like heated seats, digital controls, headrests, and a four-fold glass screen.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Measure Your Hip Width The video explains how to measure your hip width to ensure the tub's seat is wide enough for you.
  2. 0:16 Measure Your Shoulder Width The video demonstrates how to measure your shoulder width to find a tub that accommodates your body size.
  3. 0:35 Measure For Tub Length The video shows how to measure your body length while sitting to determine the appropriate tub length.
  4. 1:08 Determine Soaking Depth The video discusses the factors that determine the overall soaking depth of an Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub.

Common Questions

What is the most common walk-in tub size?
The most common walk-in tub size is 30 inches wide by 52 inches long, and that footprint fits many standard tub alcoves. Ella also offers sizes from 26 by 45 inches up to 32 by 72 inches. Always confirm the actual size on the spec sheet for the model you choose.
Should I choose an inward-swing or outward-swing door?
An outward-swing door eases entry, while an inward-swing door needs no floor space in front of the tub and suits a smaller bathroom. Outward U-shape doors need about 21 inches of clearance and the Transfer L-shape door needs about 36.5 inches. If the clear floor is under 21 inches, an inward-swing model is the safer fit.
How do I know which door side to order?
Match the door side to your house drain, because the door and drains sit on opposite sides of the tub. A right-side door puts the drains on the left and a left-side door puts them on the right, as you face the tub. Confirm it with your installer before ordering, since the hand cannot be reversed after delivery.
Why does the actual tub width differ from the listed size?
Model names use a nominal size, while the spec sheet gives the actual exterior dimensions. The Petite is listed as 28 inches wide but its actual exterior width is 27 1/2 inches. Measure doorways and the alcove against the actual size on the spec sheet.
Can a walk-in tub fit an alcove larger than the tub?
Yes, Ella offers extension panels that can be cut down to size to close the gap between the tub and the wall. That lets a standard tub size fit an alcove that is slightly larger without a custom unit. Mention the alcove width when you discuss the model with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850.
Who confirms that the tub will fit before I order?
Your contractor measures the bathroom, every doorway and hallway on the path in, and locates the house drain using the spec sheet for the model. That visit confirms the tub can be installed and sets the door side. Ella's Bubbles manufactures the tubs and does not install them.

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