Soaking depth on a walk-in tub is how deep you sit in the water once the tub is full, sometimes called water depth when seated. It is set by three measurements working together: the interior length of the tub, the length of the seat, and the depth from the top of the seat to the overflow. Because you bathe sitting up on a molded seat rather than lying down, the number that matters is the seat-to-overflow depth, not the height of the tub wall.

How It Works

The overflow caps the water level, so seat-to-overflow tells you how much water can sit above the seat. Interior length and seat length decide how you sit in that water. A tub with more legroom lets you stretch out and settle lower; a shorter interior keeps you more upright. Your own size decides the result: a taller bather sits higher in the water than a shorter one in the same tub, and a long torso will feel a shallower soak than a short one.

There is no soaking depth calculator. The reliable method is to measure yourself seated, from the seat surface to your shoulders, and compare that with the seat-to-overflow figure on the spec sheet.

Which Ella Models Have It

Every Ella tub has a published soaking depth. Seat-to-overflow runs roughly 15 1/2 inches on the Elite, Petite and Royal; about 17 inches on the Capri and Lounger; 19 inches on the Deluxe; and 22 inches on the Big4One. The Ultra video states a 17 1/2 inch soaking depth measured from the top of the seat to the center of the overflow. The Deluxe shows all three numbers together: 47 1/2 inch interior length, 15 1/2 inch seat length, 19 inch seat-to-overflow depth. LayDown tubs are different because you recline: they offer a 15 inch soaking depth versus about 11 inches in a standard bathtub (LayDown guide). The complete table is in Interior dimensions and soaking depth by model.

What to Know as an Owner

Fill to the overflow for the deepest soak, and remember that the jets need water well above them before any pump runs. Never fill above the center of the drain handle. The in-line heater maintains the temperature you fill with rather than heating cold water, so start with the water as warm as you like it within safe bathing guidelines.

If the soak feels shallower than expected, the fit is usually the question. Measure yourself seated, hips and shoulders, and your seated head-to-feet length, then compare with the drawings. Seat sizes and soaking depth explains how to take those measurements, and Common fit questions covers tall and broad bathers. For a support ticket, have your model name, serial number and seated measurements ready.

Common Questions