Furniture Move Path Checker – Online Doorway & Stair Clearance

Measure the furniture's width, depth, and height at their widest points. Then measure the doorway's clear width (between the door frame, not the door itself) and height. If the furniture's smallest horizontal dimension is less than the doorway width, and its height is less than the doorway height, it will fit – possibly by rotating it. For a more precise check, use our calculator above which accounts for diagonal tilting.

The diagonal rule states that a rectangular object can pass through an opening if its smallest cross-sectional dimension is less than the opening's width. By rotating the furniture, you align its narrowest side with the doorway. In 3D, you can simultaneously tilt and rotate to navigate tight spaces – professional movers call this "hooking" the furniture through. Our visualizer demonstrates this principle.

It depends on the sofa's depth. A typical 3-seat sofa is 84"L × 38"W × 34"D × 34"H. With a depth of 34" and a 30" door, the sofa won't fit straight through. But if you rotate it so the 34" depth faces the door, you need 34" of clearance – still too wide for a 30" door. However, tilting the sofa diagonally (combining rotation and tilt) can reduce the effective width. Removing the legs and door can gain crucial inches. Always measure your specific sofa.

For L-shaped or U-shaped staircases, the landing platform is critical. The furniture's longest dimension must be less than the diagonal of the landing (√(width² + depth²)). For example, a 42"×42" landing has a 59.4" diagonal, so furniture longer than 59" may get stuck. Pro movers often tilt furniture vertically on landings to gain maneuvering room. Always measure both stair width and landing dimensions before attempting.

Standard interior doors are typically 30"×80" (bedrooms, bathrooms), 32"×80" (hallways), or 36"×80" (main entries, ADA-compliant). Exterior doors are commonly 36"×80". Double doors range from 48" to 72" wide. Older homes may have narrower 28" doors. Always measure the actual clear opening – the door frame, not the door slab itself – as trim and stops reduce the effective width by about 1-2 inches.

Yes! Removing the door from its hinges typically gains 1.5" to 2" of additional width, which can be the difference between fitting and not fitting. Also remove door stops (the trim strips the door closes against) for another 0.5". In total, you can gain up to 2.5" by removing both. This is a standard pro mover technique and takes just a few minutes with a screwdriver.

Measure stair width between handrails or walls (not including handrail projections). Measure overhead clearance from the stair treads to the ceiling above. For turns, measure the landing platform depth and width. The furniture's longest side must be shorter than the landing's diagonal for a turn. Also check that the furniture height (or tilted effective height) is less than the overhead clearance throughout the entire stair path.

Large sectional sofas (often 100"+ in length), grand pianos, king-size mattresses, large armoires, and refrigerators over 36" wide are among the most challenging. Sectional sofas can sometimes be disassembled into individual pieces. Refrigerators require careful tilting due to height. When in doubt, consult professional movers who have specialized equipment like stair rollers, lifting straps, and experience with complex maneuvers.

Our calculator uses geometric principles to evaluate doorway and stair clearance based on the dimensions you provide. It accounts for 2D rotation (horizontal tilting) and 3D compound angles. However, real-world factors like door handles, uneven floors, stair railings, and furniture compressibility affect outcomes. Always add a 1-2 inch safety margin to your measurements. This tool provides a strong estimate but should be used alongside physical measurement.