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Will it fit through my doorway? How to measure your home for a walk-in tub

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary9
  1. What the Video Walks You Through
  2. Step-By-Step Measuring Checklist
  3. Shipping Crate Sizes for Popular Models
  4. Tips for Tight Spaces
  5. Do Not Forget the Door Swing Inside the Bathroom
  6. The Flow Through a 28 Inch Doorway
  7. A 30 Inch Class Tub on Video: The Deluxe
  8. Related Guides
  9. Common Questions

Will a walk-in tub fit through your doorway? Ella walk-in tubs are delivered fully assembled as one unit, so the tub, and on delivery day the shipping crate, must travel from your entrance all the way to the bathroom. The quick answer: measure every doorway, hallway and turning angle along that route, then compare those measurements to the actual width and the shipping size of the model you want. Our narrowest tubs (Mobile and Transfer26 at 26" wide, Petite at 27.5", Flow at 28") pass through most homes, while our largest models need wider clearances.

How to Choose Your Walk-In Tub
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 with chapters and a full transcript.

What the Video Walks You Through

As our measuring video explains, it is vitally important to know whether the tub will actually fit into your home before you order. Correct measurements of all doorways and hallways must be taken. On our website, click the Downloads tab of the tub you are interested in, and there you will find the specific dimensions of that tub. The video also highlights the difference between listed and actual sizes: the Petite, for example, is listed as 28" wide while its actual exterior width is 27 1/2". Proper measurements of all doorways and hallways will ensure an easier installation.

A note on the Elite: the measuring videos were recorded before the current spec sheet and quote a slightly narrower Elite width that no longer applies. The current Elite spec sheet prints an actual size of 30" x 52" x 35", so plan on a passage wider than 30 inches for the Elite, and if your clearance is tight, contact the team before ordering. Treat the per-model widths in the videos as illustrations only; the current spec sheets carry the figures to use.

Step-By-Step Measuring Checklist

  1. Sketch the path from your front (or garage) entrance to the bathroom.
  2. Measure the clear width of every door opening on that path, at the narrowest point, including the front door, hall doors, and the bathroom door.
  3. Measure hallway widths, and pay special attention to every corner or turning angle where the tub must pivot.
  4. Measure the bathroom itself, and note the position of the toilet, sink, and any shelving relative to where the tub will sit.
  5. Compare your numbers with both the actual tub size and the shipping crate size on the spec sheet. The crate must clear the route on delivery day, or the crate can be opened outside and the tub carried in.
ModelActual tub widthShipping size (W x L x H)
Mobile26"See product page
Transfer2626"29" x 60" x 50"
Petite27.5"31" x 57" x 47"
Flow28"32" x 54" x 49"
Standard29 5/8"32" x 54" x 49"
Elite30"32" x 54" x 50"
Capri30"33" x 55" x 50"
Royal31.5"36" x 57" x 46"
Tub4Two32"34" x 62" x 50"
ShaK36"39" x 74" x 49"
Big4Two36"38" x 82" x 50"

Every model's actual size is listed in walk-in tub dimensions by model, and the full crate weights and sizes are in the weight guide.

Ella Flow 28 by 48 inch walk-in tub, the compact model built to pass through a 28 inch doorway
The Ella Flow was designed around a 28 inch doorway.

Tips for Tight Spaces

  • The dimensions on spec sheets are exterior dimensions. Removing the front apron and end panels before carrying the tub is required anyway for safe moving, and it can help you navigate doorways, but the main frame size stays about the same.
  • On inward-swing stainless steel models the door lifts off its hinges, which trims a little width for the move.
  • In older homes with narrow halls, installers often remove interior door casings or tilt the tub at an angle to gain the last inch or two. Always carry the tub by the frame, never by the plumbing or panels, and protect the air jets on the underside.
  • Mobile homes work well if the doorways, floor support, and plumbing allow it. Measure carefully and confirm structural capacity first; see mobile homes, condos, slabs and upper floors.
  • If your bathroom door is 27" or less, ask us about the Mobile, Transfer26, or Petite before ruling anything out.

Do Not Forget the Door Swing Inside the Bathroom

Outward-swing models need clear floor space in front of the tub: the U-shape outward door opens 165 degrees, the Transfer L-shape door opens 172 degrees, and the HomeCare door opens 180 degrees. Inward-swing models (acrylic, stainless, Ultra, and LayDown) need no exterior swing clearance, which makes them a great choice for smaller bathrooms. Our guide to outward door swing clearance has the numbers for each family.

The Flow Through a 28 Inch Doorway

The Ella Flow: Best Compact Walk-In Tub for Seniors
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Introducing the Ella Flow Tub This chapter introduces the Ella Flow, a new space-saving walk-in tub designed for small to average-sized bathers and smaller bathrooms.
  2. 0:44 Safety and Design Features This chapter highlights the tub's easy entry, low threshold, textured floor, secure door handle, and sleek acrylic finish.
  3. 1:04 Hydrotherapy and Faucet Systems This chapter details the tub's hydrotherapy system with intensity control, inline water heater, foot and calf jets, and the fast-fill faucet with a hand shower.
  4. 1:33 Drainage and Power This chapter explains the dual-port oversized drain with an emergency pull chain and the tub's GFCI power connection.

Watch: The Ella Flow: Best Compact Walk-In Tub for Seniors with chapters and a full transcript.

This video presents the Flow as the space-saver that fits through a 28 inch doorway, with a 20 inch seat width and 13 inch seat length (the current spec sheet lists a 39 3/8 inch inner length). It ships with an extension panel for a 60 inch alcove and an end panel on the faucet side, and includes hydro massage with an intensity dial and in-line heater, foot and calf jets, the 2-piece fast-fill faucet, a dual-port oversized drain with emergency pull chain, and a single dedicated GFCI connection. See the Flow profile for the full spec.

A 30 Inch Class Tub on Video: The Deluxe

Ella's Deluxe Walk-In Tub - More Legroom, More Comfort, More Luxury
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Introducing The Ella Deluxe The Ella Deluxe walk-in tub is presented, highlighting its features for taller bathers and easy entry.
  2. 0:54 Therapeutic Jet Systems The video showcases the strategically placed air and hydro jets, an inline water heater, and auto purge system.
  3. 1:47 Fast Drain and Fill The tub's dual drain technology, fast fill faucet, and extendable hand shower are demonstrated.
  4. 2:07 Chromatherapy and Swivel Tray LED light chromatherapy and the patented 360° swivel tray are shown, adding to the bathing experience.

Watch: Ellau2019s Deluxe Walk-In Tub - More Legroom, More Comfort, More Luxury with chapters and a full transcript.

The Deluxe video presents the 29.5 inch wide tub as one that passes a 30 inch doorway, and shows air and hydro massage with hip and bidet jets, the in-line heater, Auto-Purge, ozone, dual 2 inch 4-port drains, the 5-piece faucet and chromatherapy. Treat the doorway claim as a best case: a half inch of clearance leaves no room for a swollen jamb or a tight turn, so measure the clear opening with the stop molding in place, and read the Deluxe profile for the current spec sheet figures, which list a 21 inch seat, a 15 1/2 inch seat length and a 47 1/2 inch interior length.

Senior woman stepping into the Ella Transfer26, the 26 inch wide wheelchair transfer tub
The Transfer26 is 26 inches wide, one of the two narrowest Ella tubs.

Common Questions

Can the tub be taken apart to get it in?
No, Ella walk-in tubs cannot be taken apart beyond removing the side panels and apron. Every tub ships fully assembled, jetted, and leak-tested as one unit. You should measure your doorways and hallways against the tub's main frame width, as removing the panels does not reduce the overall width of the tub.
Which models fit a 28 inch door?
The Flow (28"), Petite (27.5" actual), Transfer26 (26"), Lounger (27") and Mobile (26") are the narrow-doorway models. Each needs an opening a little wider than its actual width, so confirm the numbers on the spec sheet.
Which tubs fit a 27 inch doorway?
For a 27-inch doorway, the Ella Mobile 26x45, Transfer26, and Lounger are suitable options, as they are 26 to 27 inches wide. You should always check the specific actual widths on the tub's spec sheet. If the fit is tight, you may need to remove the door casing to gain an extra half inch of clearance.
How much doorway does the Monaco need?
The Ella Monaco walk-in tub requires approximately 31.5 inches of doorway clearance, which includes removing the door handle for the move. The Monaco, Royal, and Transfer32 are considered 32-inch class tubs and need a passage wider than 32 inches with all fixed elements in place.
What doorway do the ShaK and Big4One need?
For the Ella ShaK, plan on needing about 36 inches of doorway clearance, using the shipping width found on its spec sheet. The Ella Big4One, which is 33 1/8 inches wide, requires about 34 inches of clearance. Both the ShaK and Big4One also need long, straight runs due to their considerable length.
Can I stand the tub on end to turn a tight corner?
The installation tips video shows tubs moved upright on the frame with the panels removed, but standing a tub on end puts weight on the plumbing end and is not something we can recommend without seeing your route. Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with photos of the corner and the team will advise.
My bathroom door is under 26 inches. Is there any option?
The Mobile at 26 inches is the narrowest Ella tub, so an opening under 26 inches needs the door casing removed or the opening widened. Share your measurements with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 before ordering.
Which tubs fit a 30 inch doorway?
The narrow models listed above plus the 29.5 inch class: Deluxe, Zen, Zen60, Ultra and Transfer60 at 29.5 inches, the Standard at 29 5/8 and the Ultimate at 29 5/8. A 30 inch opening leaves very little clearance, so measure at the narrowest point and plan to remove the door casing if the fit is tight.
Does the crate have to fit through the door?
No, the shipping crate does not have to fit through your door. The crate can be opened outside or in your garage, and the walk-in tub can then be carried in by its frame. It is important to keep all packaging until the installation is complete, and to review the delivery day inspection and moving guide before the truck arrives.
Does taking the side panels off make the tub narrower for the move?
No. The shell is one molded piece and the deck width governs, so removing the apron and end panels does not reduce the width. A 32 inch tub needs at least 32 inches at the front door, every hallway and the bathroom door, and a 30 inch tub needs 30. Removing the door stops and jamb can gain roughly 1 3/4 inches, and the bathroom door itself can come off its hinges.
Is there an easy way to check the turn into the bathroom before ordering?
Cut a cardboard template to the tub footprint and walk it through every doorway and turn. Width is only half the problem; a tub that goes straight in past the door is easy, while one that must turn at the back wall is limited by its diagonal. A photo taken from just outside the bathroom doorway plus the doorway width lets the team judge whether the tub passes or the frame must come out.
Do the grab bar and door handle add to the width during the move?
No. The tub ships without the grab bar and the door handle attached, and they go on after the tub is through the doorway. Only the fixed handle mounting adds about half an inch, so a 26 inch Transfer26 needs about a 26 1/2 inch opening.
Which tubs cannot be broken down at all?
Two seat tubs and one piece showers are single units; a 60 by 36 one piece shower needs an opening wider than 36 inches through every door and hall. A Transfer60 at 29 1/2 inches through a 29 5/8 inch pocket door is a pinch, so plan on removing trim or the side frame. The LayDown tubs are only about 21 inches tall, which helps with a narrow door.

Still need help? Open a support ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support and the team will be glad to confirm the exact numbers for your model, or call (800) 480-6850.

About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.

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