IATA Pet Travel Crate Size Checker
Turn pet measurements into an IATA-style crate size
IATA pet travel crate size and measurement FAQ
What measurements do airlines and IATA actually use?
IATA crate formulas use four core measurements often labelled A, B, C and D: body length from nose to base of tail, leg length from ground to elbow joint, width at the shoulders or widest point, and standing height to the top of the head or ears. From those numbers they calculate minimum internal crate length, width and height so your pet can stand, turn around and lie comfortably.
Why does this checker only ask for three measurements?
To keep the form fast, this page asks for body length, standing height and shoulder width, then approximates the leg allowance from height when estimating crate length. That makes it easier for most owners to get a “does this crate look big enough?” answer, while still following the same pattern as the IATA formula. If your airline or shipper requests precise A/B/C/D values, use their worksheet or a full IATA calculator as well.
Is this guaranteed to be IATA compliant for my route?
No tool can guarantee compliance because airlines can layer their own route- and aircraft-specific rules on top of the IATA Live Animals Regulations. Treat this checker as a screening tool: it helps flag crates that are obviously too small and suggests a practical minimum size, but your carrier makes the final call at booking and check-in.
Should I go up a crate size if my pet is between sizes?
In most cases, yes. Your pet must be able to stand without ears touching the roof, turn around and lie comfortably. If your measurements land very close to the minimum internal dimensions of a crate size, going up one size usually gives more head and turning room, especially for long-legged or snub-nosed breeds that airlines often require extra space for.
Why does the tool show both inches and centimeters?
Many airline websites and crate product pages list sizes in inches, while vets and some international sites work in centimeters. This checker is US-first, so it loads in inches, but you can switch to centimeters for both inputs and results. When you change units, the recommended crate size and the example models are shown in the unit you chose first, with a small conversion shown second.
Can I use this checker for cats as well as dogs?
Yes. The same idea applies to dogs and cats: you measure length, height and width and then ensure the crate’s internal dimensions are larger. Very small pets or exotic species may have extra rules, so check with your vet or airline if you are not transporting a typical dog or cat.
Does the tool tell me which crate brands are approved?
No. It only compares your minimum internal dimensions against a few generic crate size patterns that many brands use. You still need to choose a solid, airline-accepted crate with proper fasteners, ventilation, “Live Animals” labels and water/food bowls, and then confirm with your carrier that the exact brand and model is acceptable for your routing.
What else should I check apart from size?
Airlines and regulators also care about crate strength, door design, bowls, bedding, labelling and your pet’s health documents. Before you fly, read your airline’s pet page carefully, talk with your vet about travel fitness and sedation, and allow time for your pet to get used to the crate at home so the trip feels less stressful.
How to use this IATA pet travel crate size checker
This page is designed to turn a few quick tape-measure readings into a minimum internal crate size that follows the same pattern used in IATA container requirements. It then lines that minimum up against a handful of common crate dimensions so you can see which sizes are likely to work for your pet and airline.
1. Pick inches or centimeters
Because most airline crate size charts are written in inches, the tool loads in US units first. If you usually measure in centimeters, switch the units box to “Centimeters” before entering any numbers. The calculator will use your chosen unit for input and show all recommended crate sizes in that unit first.
2. Measure body length, height and width
With your pet standing naturally:
- Measure body length from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.
- Measure standing height from the floor up to the top of the head or ears.
- Measure shoulder or chest width at the broadest point.
If your pet is wriggly, ask someone to help hold them straight, or mark the heights on a wall, then measure from the marks once they move away.
3. Tap “Check crate size” for a quick recommendation
When you hit the button, the summary card shows:
- Your entered measurements in the unit you chose.
- A minimum internal crate size (length × width × height).
- The same crate size in the other unit in brackets for quick cross-checking.
- A short list of common crate sizes and whether each one looks too small or big enough.
The aim is to answer “Is this crate probably big enough?” without having to read a full regulation document.
4. Copy the plan into your travel checklist
Use the Copy summary button to send the recommended crate size and short schedule of examples to your clipboard. Many people paste this into:
- A note for comparing crate listings while shopping online.
- An email to their airline or pet shipper to double-check sizes and rules.
- A printable packing and paperwork checklist for the trip.
5. Confirm everything with your airline and vet
Once you know roughly which crate size you need, call or email your airline and veterinarian. Airlines confirm exact size and crate type rules for your route and aircraft; your vet confirms that your pet is healthy enough to travel and that you have the right paperwork, vaccines and parasite control in place.
Used this way, the checker is a crate math helper: it keeps the numbers straight so you can focus on choosing a strong, comfortable crate and preparing your pet for a safe flight.
How the IATA-style crate size math works
IATA’s container requirement diagrams define how to turn four body measurements into a minimum crate size. This checker uses that pattern but streamlines it a little so you can work from the three measurements most owners find easiest to take at home.
1. From body measurements to internal crate length
Officially, crate length is calculated from body length (A) plus half of the leg length to the elbow (B). To avoid another box on the form, this tool estimates leg length as a fraction of the standing height you enter and then applies the same style of allowance:
Estimated leg length ≈ ½ × standing height
Minimum crate length ≈ body length + ½ × estimated leg length
That gives extra space in front of, and behind, the front legs so your pet can lie down without being cramped.
2. From shoulder width to crate width
IATA formulas typically double the shoulder or widest body width (C) so animals can turn around inside the crate. This checker follows that pattern directly:
Minimum crate width ≈ 2 × shoulder width
If your pet is very broad-chested or carries most of their width in the hips, put the tape around the widest part and use that number instead of just the shoulder line.
3. From standing height to crate height
For height, airlines care that ears and head clear the roof comfortably when your pet stands. The checker takes the standing height you enter and adds a small allowance:
Minimum crate height ≈ standing height + head/ear clearance
The clearance is a fixed margin in your chosen unit so taller pets get proportionally more room, echoing the “height plus bedding and clearance” language used in crate guidelines.
4. Keeping units consistent (inches vs centimeters)
Internally, the tool converts everything to a single base unit, applies the formulas, then converts back to your chosen unit for display. That means you can switch between inches and centimeters without changing the underlying math. Recommended crate sizes and example crate models always show in the active unit first with the converted size in brackets, so you can match them to US or metric size charts at a glance.
The end result is a transparent approximation of IATA-style crate sizing: simple enough to understand and check by hand, but structured to line up with the way airlines think about pet dimensions.
References and further reading on IATA crates and pet air travel
Pair this crate size checker with these official and veterinary resources:
- IATA — Traveler’s Pet Corner: Traveling with Pets — overview of IATA Live Animals Regulations, container requirements and measurement diagrams.
- IATA Pet Container Requirements (PDF) — official crate construction rules and formulas for minimum internal length, width and height.
- American Airlines Cargo — Kennel Guidelines — airline example of how IATA crate rules are applied to real-world kennel dimensions.
- USDA APHIS — Preparing Pets for Air Travel — guidance on health checks, documentation and kennel suitability for dogs and cats on planes.
Always let your own airline or pet shipper confirm crate size and type for your exact route, and ask your veterinarian to review any travel plans for brachycephalic or medically fragile pets.