Written by Brittany Ferri, OTR/L
Wheelchairs are powerful and durable pieces of medical equipment that can do wonders for a person’s independence and mobility. However, in order to be maximally effective, wheelchairs must be large enough for someone to comfortably and safely remain seated in. This is not only crucial for a wheelchair user’s ability to maneuver their chair, but for the health of a person’s joints.
It’s important for wheelchairs to meet this criteria while also being able to fit through doorways, maneuver around tight corners, and navigate across any obstacles that might be in a person’s path. This is why wheelchair width is one of many important considerations for wheelchair users, since they must ensure their new equipment can properly move in their home and other environments they frequent. Read on to learn just how wide each type of wheelchair is so you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
Manual wheelchairs are the most common type of wheelchair that users must propel themselves by using bars on the chair’s rims. Manual wheelchairs can also be moved by a caregiver pushing the wheelchair from behind. On average, the seat width for manual-style wheelchairs is between 16 and 20 inches. Narrow adult wheelchairs have 16” wide seats while the average adult wheelchair (the most common option) has seats that are 18” wide. Wide adult wheelchairs are the biggest seating option at 20” wide. It’s important to note that wide adult wheelchairs are not the same as bariatric or heavy-duty wheelchairs, which have a higher weight capacity for. Wide adult wheelchairs simply offer a bit more space on the sides for users of a larger stature. When it comes down to it, wheelchair width is dependent on how large the chair’s seat is. Generally, you can determine the wheelchair’s overall width by adding 8” to the seat size. For example, if you are opting for the standard 18” seat, the wheelchair itself will be around 26” wide. Overall wheelchair widths for manual wheelchairs range from 24” to 28” when measured from the end of one wheel to the next. If you are searching for manual wheelchairs, take a look at our Best Lightweight Folding Wheelchairs for Traveling.
Power wheelchairs offer battery assistance to help wheelchair users get around. For this reason, there can be more variation in terms of sizing. While these wheelchairs are heavier to accommodate users with more significant mobility limitations, this does not always mean they have wider seats. The average seat width for power wheelchairs is also 18”. However, due to differences in the structure and frame of this style wheelchair, adding 8” to the seat width will not always give you an accurate figure for overall width. For this reason, you will need to carefully read the specifications while shopping to ensure the wheelchair you choose is the best fit for you. If you are in the market for a power wheelchair, take a look at Top 9 Power Wheelchairs to learn about our favorite picks and see an extended list of features to consider.
Manual bariatric wheelchairs (also referred to as bariatric or heavy-duty wheelchairs) are wheelchairs with a higher weight capacity to accommodate obese individuals with mobility impairments. The average seat sizes are between 22 and 28 inches wide, but they can go up to 30”. This makes them more roomy than the seats on standard manual wheelchairs. The same rule applies here: you can easily determine the overall wheelchair width by adding 8” to the seat width. If you’re interested in shopping for a manual bariatric wheelchair, take a look at our favorite Top 5 Bariatric Manual Wheelchairs.
Similarly to standard power chairs, there is some variation with power bariatric wheelchairs. The average seat width for a power bariatric wheelchair is between 22 and 28 inches. There is no rule of thumb for calculating the overall power bariatric wheelchair width, so you will need to read each product’s specifications to determine what chair has the width you need. If you are searching for a bariatric power wheelchair, check out our 8 Best Heavy Duty Power Wheelchairs. That article highlights our favorite chairs, explains important features to consider before purchasing, and answers frequently asked questions!
Transport chairs are more lightweight and portable versions of manual wheelchairs. The main reason for this difference is the size and placement of the wheels. Transport chairs have smaller wheels mounted under the seat and the wheels on manual wheelchairs are bigger and located on each side of the seat. For this reason, it makes sense that the seat width of transport wheelchairs is also smaller than manual wheelchairs. Narrow transport chairs have seats between 16” and 17” wide and the standard transport chair width is between 18” and 20”. Wide transport chairs will be the largest at 22” wide or slightly wider, in some cases. Transport chairs are especially popular among people with narrow doorways in their houses. If you want to explore your options within the realm of transport chairs, check out our Top 7 Transport Wheelchairs to see what model best fits your situation and home environment.
That’s exactly the question you should be asking! There are a few factors to consider before getting the right size wheelchair. It’s important to get specific measurements of your body to ensure your wheelchair fits you appropriately and allows you to move properly. If you need help taking measurements correctly, you can look at How to Find Your Wheelchair Size (ANSWERED), our step-by-step guide that will explain how to get the measurements you need.
There are requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that govern how wide doorways must be in public structures such as businesses and government buildings. However, there are no requirements that regulate door widths in homes. For this reason, your concern should not be with compliance, rather you should aim to have doors wide enough to accommodate your wheelchair. The recommended door width is 32 inches, since this usually allows plenty of room for a user to self propel their wheelchair through the space. If you want assistance in ensuring your doorways are the right size, you can use resources on ADA’s website to help you.
The first step in doing this is to determine how wide your doorways need to be. It’s usually best if you have doors that are 32 inches wide, since this offers ample space for most standard wheelchairs. If that doesn’t match your current door width, you have some options for making your doorways wider.
Another option is to get a more narrow wheelchair. This might not be possible for some people depending on their stature, but it is something to look into.
Depending on how large the wheelchair you currently have is, you might have some options if you’re looking to get one that is more narrow. For adults, the narrowest seat width on a standard manual wheelchair is 16 inches, which would make the entire wheelchair 24” wide. If you are looking to get one that is even more narrow than that, you should opt for a transport chair. As we mentioned above, this type of chair is often the narrowest seating option due to the smaller wheels and their offset placement.
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when looking to determine what wheelchair width you need. You must be sure it is wide enough to accommodate your body comfortably while also being able to travel throughout your home safely. If you want to browse similar articles, read our articles on Wheelchairs, Ramps, and Home Mobility. If you’re still looking for the chair that’s best for you and your needs, take a look at our selection of wheelchairs for sale. For more articles, check out our blog Caregiver University. Caregiver University is a resourceful, free educational platform that helps caregivers and professionals navigate the tricky world of selecting medical products.
Brittany is an occupational therapist who has worked in a variety of rehab facilities. She has always expressed an interest in patients’ internal motivation for therapy and the use of assistive devices, which led her to pursue a PhD in Integrative Mental Health. This research-based training has also led her to develop her writing career to educate patients of all ages on how to improve their health. Brittany has published four books, written over 300 articles, and has been quoted in media outlets such as WebMD, Healthline, and NBC News.
.jpg&maxheight=250&width=365&product_name=Extra Wide Heavy Duty Deluxe Bariatric Wheelchair by Karman Healthcare "Extra Wide Heavy Duty Deluxe Bariatric Wheelchair by Karman Healthcare")
.jpg&maxheight=250&width=365&product_name=Invacare 9000 Topaz Bariatric Wheelchair "Invacare 9000 Topaz Bariatric Wheelchair")
