Parking Lot Dimensions: Length and Width of Parking Spaces
You see different parking spaces and might use them without looking at their size and design. But if you are planning a parking space then you should notice them and get knowledge about their dimensions and standards.
So, we prepared this article for your facility. We will explain the dimensions of parking space and their requirements in it. After reading it, you will be able to design an organized parking space for your business.
Standard Parking Lot Dimensions
A standard parking lot is a designated area for parking the vehicles in sequence. The civil engineers and architects formed it according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) standards. It has marked individual stalls where you can easily park your car.

Parking Space Dimensions in Feet
Parking space dimensions depend on the location and vehicle types. For oversized vehicles, you need to make a large parking lot. The standard parking space is almost 9 feet wide and 18 to 20 feet length. So, you can place it according to your space.
Standard Parking Space Size Meters
If you want to calculate your space in meters then it should be 2.5 meters wide and 5 meters long. But in Europe, it varies from 2.3 to 2.5 meters wide. While its length is 5 meters. Based on the regions, it would change. You should take care of it.
Dimensions of Various Types of Parking
|
Parking Type |
Width |
Length |
Aisle (L/W) |
Location and Uses |
|
Perpendicular |
9 ft |
18 - 20 feet |
24 ft wide |
Shopping malls & office buildings |
|
Parallel |
8 to 9 feet |
20 to 24 ft |
10 - 12 ft width |
Residential streets and curb parking |
|
Handicap |
8 ft |
18 feet |
5 feet wide |
Near building entrance and elevators |
|
Angled |
9 feet |
18 - 19 ft |
12 to 18 ft wide |
High traffic areas & parking lots |
|
Compact |
8 ft |
16 feet |
20 - 24 feet breath |
Commercial parking garages, retail lots |
|
Automated |
7.3 to 7.4 feet |
19 feet |
20 to 24 ft width |
Commercial & historic buildings |
|
Two Way |
9 ft |
18 - 19 ft |
22 - 24 feet wide |
Hospitals and airports |
|
One Way |
9 feet |
18 feet |
12 to 18 ft breath |
Multi level parking garages |
Perpendicular Parking Dimensions
For parking vehicles at 90 degree angle, you need to keep the parking space almost 9 feet wide with 18 to 20 ft length. You should also arrange more space for parking lanes. So that drivers can easily reverse their vehicles.
Parallel Parking Space Dimensions
If you want to park cars parallel then the space will be 8 to 9 feet wide and 20 to 24 feet long. But for small cars you can decrease your space. They will take 16 to 20 feet length while the width is 7 to 8 feet. This space is enough for them.
Handicap Parking Lot Dimensions
The handicap parking space must be at least 8 feet wide and 18 feet long. This area is specially designed for disabled people. So that they can move their wheelchairs easily. It also consists of an access aisle which has 5 ft width.
Angled Parking Space Dimensions
You can design your parking space at different angles. It will make the traffic flow smooth. This parking system does not require more driver skills as it demands in perpendicular parking.
-
45 Degree Parking Dimensions: If you want to make your parking spot at a 45 degree angle then you can place it 9 feet wide for it. The length will be 18 feet. This design is helpful in traffic areas.
-
60 Degree Parking Dimensions: For this parking layout, the space generally measures 9 feet wide by 18 ft deep. While the one way drive aisle requires 18 to 20 feet width. It allows more vehicles to park.
Automated Parking System Dimensions
This automated parking system (APS) is a computerized spot where you do not park a car by yourself. It is done by machines. You can make it 19 feet long and 7.3 to 7.4 feet wide. For this system, 50% less space is required than normal parking spaces.
Two Way Parking Space
You can enter and exit in this parking lot from both sides. The two way parking system has rows where you can park your car. The distance between these rows is 20 feet. This system can park more vehicles as compared to parallel layout.
Compact Parking Space Dimensions
The compact parking spaces are those places where you can park your small vehicles such as motorcycles and cars. It has 8 feet width and 16 feet length. It also has extra space for disabled persons which is 8 feet wide.

One Way Parking Layout
As the name shows, you can use this parking space from one side. It gives you less space for reversing. In this parking lot, the drive lane has 12 to 16 feet width. You will see it in angle parking layouts.
Car Parking Space Dimensions

Car Parking Dimensions in cm
If you want to know the parking dimensions of your vehicle in cm then it will be 250 cm wide and 500 cm long. It depends on your car type. For compact cars, it has 230 cm width with 450 cm length. As an architect, you should have an idea about it.
Car Parking Dimensions in Feet
A standard car parking dimensions is 9 feet wide by 18 to 20 feet long. This area is suitable for large cars like SUVs. You can easily open their doors from both sides in this space. But the dimensions change according to your region and vehicle size.
Car Parking Dimensions in mm
For designing a parking space, you should have complete knowledge about its size. As, car parking dimension is 2400 to 2500 mm wide. While it is long from 5000 to 5500mm. In this area, you will also get space for drive aisle and pedestrian access.
Standard Garage Size
The standard garage size generally ranges from 20 to 24 feet. But its exact size is based on your vehicle type. You can form different categories of garage according to your need and space.
|
Type |
Length |
Width |
Vehicles |
|
One Car Garage |
20 to 22 feet |
12 feet |
Compact cars & mid-size sedans |
|
Two Car Garage |
20 to 24 feet |
20 to 24 feet |
Hatchbacks and small size SUVs |
|
Three Car Garage |
24 feet |
32 to 36 feet |
Large SUVs & full size pickup trucks |
Parking Space Size According To Vehicle
You will find different sizes of parking lot. It is due to the reason that their dimensions depend on vehicles which will park there. We explain it by telling you about some common vehicles and their parking dimensions.
Golf Cart Parking Space Dimensions
A standard golf cart requires about 4 feet width and 8 feet length. But if your golf cart is large (for four to six passengers) then you need 10 to 13 ft length for it. You can also leave a clearance of 2 feet on all sides which help you move and open doors easily.
Truck Parking Dimensions
You need a large area for parking trucks which can be trailers, fire trucks and box trucks. The maximum space will be 10 to 12 feet wide and 55 to 75 feet long. For their movement, you should leave extra space which is 14 feet for such oversized vehicles.
Motorcycle Parking Space Dimensions
Motorcycles require less area for parking as compared to cars. You have only 4 feet width and 8 feet length for it. This designed parking of bikes will protect you from accidents. It will also save your scooter from any damage.
ADA Parking Space Dimensions
In USA, American with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes special parking space for disabled people. For their facility, it also consists of a striped access aisle. As a result, they move their wheelchairs easily.

|
Type |
Space Width |
Access Aisle |
Total Area |
|
Standard Car Accessible |
8 feet (96 in) |
5 ft (60 inches) |
13 feet (156 in) |
|
Van Accessible Space |
8 ft (96 inches) |
8 feet (96 in) |
16 ft (192 inches) |
|
Van Accessible Alternative |
11 feet (132 in) |
5 ft (60 inches) |
16 feet (192 in) |
How Many ADA Parking Spaces Are Required?
ADA specific the number of accessible parking spaces based on your total capacity of garages. For more detail, you can check the following table.
|
Total Spaces |
Minimum Accessible Slots |
|
1 - 25 |
1 spot |
|
26 to 50 |
2 places |
|
51 - 75 |
3 slots |
|
76 to 100 |
4 spaces |
|
101 - 150 |
5 slots |
|
151 to 200 |
6 places |
|
201 - 300 |
7 spots |
|
301 to 400 |
8 spaces |
|
401 - 500 |
9 slots |
|
501 to 1000 |
2% of total spaces |
|
1001+ |
20 spaces + 1 for every 100 above 1000 |
Commercial Parking Space Dimensions
You will find the commercial parking space dimension different from other places. These parking areas have extra space. So that people can turn their vehicles without any disturbance. It mostly has 9 feet width. While their length is 18 to 20 feet.
Parking Space Dimensions Residential
You can design parking space for your house or housing society. For this process, you have to place it 9 feet wide and 20 ft long. This space is enough for your cars. You will also park your guest vehicles in this room comfortably.
EV Charging Parking Space Requirements
These parking lots are formed for your electric cars where you can charge your cars. They have 9 to 10 feet width and 18 to 20 feet length. Plus, EV charging parking spaces require more space for their charging cables and electrical infrastructure for vehicles.
Parking Lot Dimensions of Different Countries
If you are a civil engineer then you have an idea about this thing that every country has their fixed parking space dimensions. The reason is that it depends on the vehicle size, urban density and building code of the country.
Parking Space Dimensions UK
In United Kingdom, the parking lot dimensions measure 2.4 meters wide by 4.8 meters long. But for your large vehicles, you can increase its area according to your need. For example: disabled spaces require 3.6 meters wide and 4.8 meters length.
Standard Parking Space Dimensions Canada
You will not see fixed parking space dimensions in Canada. Because it is determined by municipal bylaws there. For your normal car, the dimension is 2.5 - 2.7 meters wide and length is 5.5 - 5.6 meters. It is standard for passenger vehicles.
Australian Standard Parking Space Dimensions
In Australia, the standard parking lot dimension is 2.4 meters wide and 5.4 meters long. It is formed under the Australian AS 2890 standards. You can expand its space which depends on your planning regulations and facility design.
Final Words
We are sure that you will have completely understood the parking lot size of different places and vehicles. This information will help you in designing accessible, organized and efficient parking areas.
If you have any questions or confusion about it you can contact us. Our factory is located in China and we can offer you durable products for road safety and also for your parking lot. For example, you can order parking signs, parking lock and wheel chock etc.
FAQs
How Long is a Parking Space?
The standard parking space in the US is 18 to 20 feet long. While its width is 8.5 to 9 feet. If you are interested in meters then it will be 4.9 to 6 meters for perpendicular lots. But the exact length is based on your type of vehicle and parking.
What is the Smallest Legal Parking Space Size?
If you want to make a smallest legal parking space then it will take space of 7.5 ft wide and 16 ft long. You can call it a compact stall. But for standard vehicles, it has 8.5 to 9 feet width. The length is 18 - 20 feet.
How Much Space Do You Need for a Parking Lot?
For normal vehicles, you need about 300 to 350 square feet of space. It also consists of a drive aisle and turning place. But overall size depends on slot dimensions, vehicle types and traffic flow.

