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Printable Pre-Install Measuring Checklist for a Walk-In Tub

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary9
  1. How to Use This Page
  2. The Bather
  3. The Path in
  4. The Alcove
  5. Door Side, Drain Side and Swing Clearance
  6. Utilities
  7. Bring This List to Your Dealer or the Team
  8. Related Guides
  9. Common Questions

This is the measuring checklist to fill in before your walk-in tub is ordered: the bather, the path in, the alcove, the door side and the utilities, one line per measurement. Print it, walk the house with a tape, and bring the list to your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850.

How to Use This Page

Write every figure in inches at the tightest point, with door stops and trim in place. Two sizes matter: the actual size on the spec sheet, which sits in the alcove, and the shipping size, which travels through the house. Never rely on the rounded name: the Elite's actual size is 30 x 52 x 35 inches, so its passage must be wider than 30 inches, and the Petite is 27.5 inches wide.

The Bather

  • u2610 Hip width, seated, at the widest point: ______ in (the seat must be wider than this)
  • u2610 Shoulder width, seated: ______ in
  • u2610 Seated length, head to feet, relaxed: ______ in
  • u2610 Compare with the drawings in seat sizes and soaking depth
How To Choose The Right Walk-In Tub For You
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.

The video shows the three measurements taken seated in a chair facing a wall. Watch: How To Choose The Right Walk-In Tub For You with chapters and a full transcript.

The Path in

Use the shipping size; the full method is in the doorway measurement guide.

  • u2610 Entry door clear width: ______ in
  • u2610 Each hall width: ______ in; each interior door: ______ in
  • u2610 Each corner the tub must pivot through: ______ in
  • u2610 Bathroom door clear width: ______ in
ModelActual size (W x L x H)Shipping size
Flow28 x 48 x 36.5 in32 x 54 x 49 in
Petite27.5 x 52 x 35 in31 x 57 x 47 in
Elite30 x 52 x 35 in32 x 54 x 50 in
ShaK36 x 72 x 39 in39 x 74 x 49 in

All models: walk-in tub dimensions by model.

The Alcove

  • u2610 Alcove length at deck height: ______ in; at the floor: ______ in
  • u2610 Alcove width: ______ in
  • u2610 Difference between the two diagonals: ______ in
  • u2610 Lowest window sill: ______ in; countertop: ______ in (compare with the tub height; see low windows and countertops)
  • u2610 52 and 55 inch tubs plus extension panel fill a 60 inch alcove; none for the Ultimate, Big4One, ShaK, Front Entry, Mobile, Transfer60 or two-seat models (alcove fit and extension panels)

Door Side, Drain Side and Swing Clearance

  • u2610 Which side is the house drain, facing the tub? Left / Right
  • u2610 Door and drains sit on opposite sides: right door, left drains (choosing left or right hand); confirm with your installer
  • u2610 Clear floor in front of an outward door: ______ in (U-shape 165, Transfer 172, HomeCare 180 degrees)
  • u2610 Hinge side to toilet, vanity and bathroom door: ______ in

Utilities

  • u2610 House drain size: ______ in (2 inch recommended)
  • u2610 Supply line size: ______ in (3/4 inch recommended, with reachable shut-off valves)
  • u2610 Water heater capacity: ______ gal (under 75 gallons is not recommended)
  • u2610 Dedicated GFCI outlet location and count: ______ (20A/120V lines, 15A on the Flow; no appliances within 3 feet of the tub)
  • u2610 Service access to the pump end after the walls are finished: Yes / No

Bring This List to Your Dealer or the Team

With these lines filled in, your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm the model, door side, panels and GFCI lines. Keep the sheet for your installer.

Common Questions

Should I measure against the tub size or the crate size?
You should measure both the shipping size and the actual size of the walk-in tub. The shipping size, which is the crate size, must clear the path through your house. If the crate cannot clear the route, it will be opened outside, and the tub will be carried in by its frame. The actual size of the tub is what needs to fit into the alcove where it will be installed.
Which tub fits a 28 inch doorway?
The Flow, at 28 x 48 x 36.5 inches, was designed around a 28 inch doorway. The Petite at 27.5 inches and the Transfer26 and Mobile at 26 inches are the other narrow options. Each needs an opening a little wider than its actual width, so confirm the numbers on the spec sheet.
Why does the house drain side decide the door side?
The house drain side determines the door side because the drains are located at the opposite end of the tub from the door and seat. This means the location of your existing house drain indicates whether you need a left-hand or right-hand door configuration for your walk-in tub. You should confirm this with your installer before placing your order to ensure proper alignment.
Does the tub come apart to fit through a tight hall?
No, the walk-in tub does not come apart to fit through a tight hall. The tub ships assembled and tested as a complete unit. Only the apron and panels are designed to be removed. Therefore, you must measure the route through your home against the full dimensions of the tub's frame and its shipping crate.

Still need help? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support 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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