How big are walk-in tubs, and how tall do they stand?
Updated September 2026
Ella walk-in tubs run from compact 52 inch models that are 27.5 to 30 inches wide up to a 36 by 80 inch two-seat tub, and every model with a published height stands between 35 and 40 inches tall. Most of them are shorter than the 60 inch alcove a standard bathtub sits in, so an extension panel closes the gap, while height is the figure people forget to check against a window sill above the tub. How big is a standard bathtub, and how do you measure yours? covers the measuring itself; this page lays out the walk-in sizes and what each one asks of your bathroom.
Width, Length and Height Across the Lineup
The table uses the actual sizes and seat widths published for each model. Where a figure is not printed in the material behind this page, the cell says so rather than guessing. Widths are exterior, lengths run along the wall, and heights are from the floor to the top of the rim.
| Model | Actual size (W x L x H) | Seat width | Unoccupied capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petite | 27.5 x 52 x 35 inches | not listed | not listed | The narrowest listed footprint, sold as a 28 inch tub, for tight doorways and small bathrooms |
| Elite | 30 x 52 x 35 inches | not listed | not listed | A compact 52 inch tub whose nominal and actual widths match |
| Ultimate | 59.5 inches long; width and height not listed | not listed | not listed | Filling a standard 60 inch alcove without an extension panel |
| Companion | 32 x 60 x 40 inches | 23 and 25 inches | not listed | Two average-size bathers behind an inward-swing stainless steel door |
| Big4One | 33 1/8 x 66 inches; height not listed | 24 inches | 127 gallons (75 to 100 gallons occupied) | An extra-large single bather when the room cannot take 72 inches |
| ShaK | 36 x 72 inches; height not listed | 28 inches | 145 gallons | The tallest and widest single bather; the largest single-seat walk-in tub Ella makes |
| Escape | 36 x 72 x 40 inches | 27 and 29 inches | 145 gallons (85 to 135 gallons occupied) | Two bathers, or one broad bather stretching out, where floor space in front of the tub is tight |
| Big4Two | 36 x 80 x 40 inches | 22 and 24 inches | 145 gallons (85 to 135 gallons occupied) | The longest two-seater, for bathrooms with the wall length and floor space for an outward door |
What the spread means for you: the compact 52 inch tubs are the usual starting point when a shower stall or a standard alcove is being replaced, because they go into a 60 inch opening with an extension panel and their 35 inch height clears most window sills. The single-seat giants trade length for room, with the ShaK 6 inches longer than the Big4One and 18 gallons larger unoccupied, so the Big4One is the pick when the wall is shorter than 72 inches. The two-seat tubs all stand 40 inches tall, hold up to 145 gallons unoccupied, and differ mainly in length, from 60 inches on the Companion to 80 inches on the Big4Two. What is the biggest walk-in bathtub size you can buy? compares the largest models in more depth.
The Name Is Nominal, the Spec Sheet Is Actual
The size in a model name is a rounded, nominal figure. The Petite is marketed as a 28 inch tub, but its actual size is 27.5 inches wide by 52 inches long by 35 inches tall. The Elite is 30 inches wide by 52 inches long by 35 inches tall, so its name and its measurement happen to agree. Always compare your bathroom measurements with the actual dimensions on the spec sheet, never with the name on the brochure, and use the imperial figures, which are the authoritative ones.
Seat width is the other size figure worth reading. Ella's standard-size models start at a 19 inch seat, the Big4One has a 24 inch seat, the ShaK a 28 inch seat, and the TransferXXL the widest seat in the lineup at 29 inches. A two-seat tub lists two seat widths because it has two independent bathing spaces facing each other, and Ella's video makes the point that an extra-large tub is not the same as a true two-seater.
How Tall a Walk-In Tub Stands, and Why It Matters
The published rim heights are 35 inches on the Petite and Elite and 40 inches on the Companion, Escape and Big4Two. When you measure your alcove, record the height from the floor to the bottom of any window sill and compare it with the tub height, because a walk-in tub sits well above the rim of the tub it replaces.
Height also decides what goes on the walls above the rim. Ella's acrylic 6-piece wall panel kit covers a 36 by 60 inch alcove to a finished height of 92 inches, the SMC subway-look kits stand 96 inches tall on the same footprint, and the 3-piece acrylic surround is 40 inches deep by 60 inches wide by 97 inches tall. Measure your alcove width and depth and the height from the tub rim to the ceiling before choosing a kit, and confirm your ceiling height before picking the tallest one. Acrylic 6-Piece Wall Panel Kit: Size, Shelves, Thickness and How It Compares to the 3-Piece Surround and SMC Panels lists every wall product side by side.
Fitting a 60 Inch Alcove
A standard bathtub alcove is commonly 60 inches long, and that finished length, not the size of the old tub, decides what fits in its place. Ella walk-in tubs are built for a standard three-wall alcove and can also stand free against one or two walls. Tubs shorter than 60 inches include an extension panel that closes the gap between the tub and the end wall, which is how a 52 inch Petite or Elite goes into a 60 inch alcove and still looks finished.
The Ultimate is 59.5 inches long, so it fills a standard 60 inch alcove on its own, and the Companion at 60 inches long does the same. The 66, 72 and 80 inch models need a wall that long, and long tubs leave no wiggle room. Measure the length between the finished walls at the two ends, the width from the back wall to the front edge of the alcove, and the sill height, then compare all three with the spec sheet.
What to Know Before Installation Day
- Measure the doorways and hallways the tub must pass through. A crated tub is larger than the tub itself: the Escape ships in a crate measuring 40 by 76 by 49 inches at 398 pounds, and the Big4Two's shipping size is 38 by 82 by 50 inches at 531 pounds shipping and 328 pounds net.
- Note which side the existing drain is on. On every Ella walk-in tub the door and the drains are on opposite sides, so a right-side door tub has its drains on the left and a left-side door tub has its drains on the right as you face the tub.
- Plan the door swing. The Companion and Escape use an inward-swing stainless steel door, while the Big4Two uses an outward-swing plastic composite and tempered glass door with a 3-latch gear and shaft mechanism, which needs floor space in front of the tub.
- Every Ella walk-in tub has a low threshold for easy entry and a textured floor, and sits on a stainless steel frame with adjustable leveling legs.
- Ella does not send technicians. A local licensed plumber or electrician does the installation, and the team supports them by phone and ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or (800) 480-6850.
For the two-seat family in detail, read Can two people fit in a walk-in bathtub, and how big is it? and the profile of the largest one, What Is the Ella Big4Two Two-Seat Walk-In Tub With Shower Options?. When you contact your Ella dealer or the team about fit, have the model name, its actual size from the spec sheet, and your own alcove, sill and doorway measurements ready.
Related Guides
- What is the standard bathtub size, and will a walk-in tub fit it?
- Will it fit my alcove? Extension panels, end panels, and 60 inch spaces
- Will it fit through my doorway? How to measure your home for a walk-in tub
Related Videos
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Reversible End Panel Included Every Ella walk-in tub includes one reversible end panel that can be placed on either side of the tub.
- 0:36 Extension Panel for Tubs Ella walk-in tubs under 60 inches long come with an extension panel to fit a standard 60-inch alcove.
- 1:08 Removable Front Apron Ella walk-in tubs feature a removable front apron with access panels for plumbing and component service.
- 1:30 Removing Panels Before Moving All removable panels must be taken off before the walk-in tub is moved into the house and bathroom.
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Reversible End Panel Placement The video explains how to position the reversible end panel on either side of the tub to cover plumbing and the frame.
- 0:33 Extension Panel For Shorter Tubs Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs under 60 inches long include an extension panel to fit standard 60-inch alcoves.
- 1:06 Removable Front Apron Panels Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs feature a removable front apron with access panels for servicing plumbing and components.
- 1:28 Removing Panels Before Moving Tub All removable panels, including the front apron, end panel, and extension panels, must be removed before moving the walk-in tub.
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 What Are Extension Panels? Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs use extension panels to create the best fit for your new tub in your home.
- 0:14 Trimming Panels For Fit Extension panels can be trimmed to ensure your tub fits seamlessly and beautifully, even if your alcove is out of square.
- 0:29 Panel Storage Space The extension panels provide a convenient place for towels, shampoos, soaps, and other bathing items.
Common Questions
How tall is a typical walk-in tub compared with a standard bathtub?
Will a 52 inch walk-in tub look unfinished in a 60 inch alcove?
What is the smallest walk-in tub Ella makes by width?
Does a bigger walk-in tub also hold more water?
Do I measure my old tub or the alcove it sits in?
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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