Are you one of the many homeowners who want to create a paradise in your backyard by adding a hot tub? Imagine coming home after a stressful day and having the option to relax in the steaming hot water. But do you have enough space for a hot tub, and just how big are they?
The average hot tub dimensions for a small (2-4 person) hot tub are 76 x 74 x 32 inches, a medium (5-6 person) hot tub are 85.5 x 84.5 x 35.5 inches, and a large (7+ person) hot tub are 96 x 97 x 37 inches. Measurements are affected by the number and style of seats chosen.
The rest of this article will discuss the measurements that matter when choosing a hot tub and how much space you need to accommodate one. I will then discuss the different models of hot tubs, providing average dimensions in metric and imperial measurements. I will also cover the weight of hot tubs and how that affects where you install them.
What Measurements Matter When Choosing a Hot Tub?
When choosing your new hot tub, you must consider several important measurements – length, width, and height.
Hot tubs are generally grouped into three categories:
- Small (2-4 person) hot tubs
- Medium (5-6 person) hot tubs
- Large (7+ person) hot tubs
Within each of these categories, the dimensions can vary widely. In addition to the number of seats affecting the dimensions, the style of seats also plays a part. If you have one or more loungers, it can affect whether you have a square or rectangular hot tub and change what kind of space you need to accommodate the hot tub.
The average dimensions for each of the categories are as follows:
- Small hot tubs: 64 – 84 x 64 – 80 x 29 – 35 inches
- Medium hot tubs: 78 – 93 x 76 – 93 x 33 – 38.5 inches
- Large hot tubs: 84 – 108 x 84 – 110 x 36 – 38 inches
As you can see, there is quite a bit of variation within size categories. You can get a broad idea of what size your hot tub will be, based on its category, but it’s best to know the average dimensions of the specific hot tub size you are considering.
Out of these three dimensions, one is most often overlooked but should be given the same consideration as the other two.
Most Overlooked Dimension
Height is the most overlooked dimension when considering a hot tub. There are three main reasons for this.
First, if you are considering an indoor installation, you must ensure that your hot tub will fit through the door where it will be installed. It will be too wide to clear the entrance if it is too deep. Before you make your purchase, measure your doors to know exactly what you can accommodate for height.
Second, if you’re getting an outside installation, consider how tall you are and how much you want to be able to submerge yourself. The deeper the tub, the more benefits of the relaxing jets you will receive. If it’s too shallow, you’ll be left in the cold.
Third, you must also consider how you will enter and exit the hot tub. If it’s too tall, you may need external steps, adding to the dimensions required to accommodate the hot tub.
Now that you know what dimensions are important when choosing a hot tub, you need to know how much space you need to allow for your installation.
How Much Space Do I Need for a Hot Tub?
This might go without saying, but you will need a large enough space to accommodate both your hot tub and its foundation. You will need to measure the space available in your yard before starting the selection process to know exactly what size you can accommodate.
You will need to consider how close the hot tub is to the wall. If the hot tub is too large, it could impact your ability to move around it on the side adjacent to the wall, preventing people from entering and exiting on that side and making maintenance more difficult.
Whether the hot tub is on its own slab or on the patio, there must be enough clearance around the unit. There will need to be space for external steps if they are required for entry. Also, the lift unit for the cover will need to be accommodated.
When choosing the location for your hot tub, you want to ensure that there will be plenty of space for people to walk around the unit on the concrete. You should allow approximately 30 inches of clearance around all sides of the hot tub to accommodate entry and exit, maintenance, and any additional features.
Let’s discuss how to measure the space needed.
Measuring the Space Needed
You will need to measure the length and width of the area you have in mind for your new hot tub. Additionally, consider measuring the height to ensure nothing, such as a low-hanging tree branch, will interfere with it. Add on the extra 30 inches when measuring to ensure you have enough space to accommodate the hot tub size you want.
You may also want a backup location in mind if the installers cannot place the hot tub where you want it. This will ensure a smooth installation instead of scrambling to find another location when the hot tub arrives.
When you’re measuring based on the type of hot tub you’d like to purchase, it helps to have a rough idea of the size you will purchase. The next section will dive into the various models and their average dimensions.
Different Models and Their Dimensions
With so many different size options, you might wonder where to start. If you have already measured your space and are looking for the perfect hot tub to fill it, we have all the average dimensions for each option in both metric and imperial measurement systems.
| Hot Tub Model | Average Hot Tub Dimensions Inches (length x width x height) | Average Hot Tub Dimensions cm (length x width x height) |
| 2 Person | 60 x 60 x 29 | 152.4 x 152.4 x 73.66 |
| 3 Person | 72 x 84 x 32 | 182.88 x 213.36 x 81.28 |
| 4 Person | 84 x 84 x 34 | 213.36 x 213.36 x 86.36 |
| 5 Person | 84 x 96 x 38 | 213.36 x 243.84 x 96.52 |
| 6 Person | 92 x 100 x 34 | 233.68 x 254 x 86.36 |
| 7 Person | 92 x 108 x 40 | 233.68 x 274.32 x 101.6 |
| 8 Person | 94 x 94 x 36 | 238.76 x 238.76 x 91.44 |
| 10 Person | 120 x 110 x 38 | 304.8 x 279.4 x 96.52 |
| 12 Person | 144 x 92 x 42.5 | 365.76 x 233.68 x 107.95 |
Hot Tub Dimensions 2 Person
If it’s only going to be you and one other person, at the most, enjoying the hot tub at any given time, a two-person hot tub will be sufficient. They have a general measurement of 60 x 60 x 29 inches. However, you can even find them as small as 34 inches wide.
Hot Tub Dimensions 3 Person
Like two-person hot tubs, three-person hot tubs are more compact than other options and offer relaxation without taking up all the space in the yard. They are often more triangular with rounded corners with average dimensions of 72 x 84 x 32 inches.
Hot Tub Dimensions 4 Person
Four-person hot tubs offer two great options: more room to relax by yourself and the ability to accommodate more guests. They provide an intimate setting without taking up an excessive amount of space. Their average dimensions are 84 x 84 x 34 inches.
Hot Tub Dimensions 5 Person
You have your choice of styles with the five-person hot tub, ranging from round to rectangular. Many of these hot tubs also come with a lounger seat and four regular seats. The average dimensions are 84 x 96 x 38 inches.
Hot Tub Dimensions 6 Person
With six-person hot tubs, there is a significant increase in the number of jets, which requires more space to accommodate the machinery to operate them. The average size of a six-person hot tub is 92 x 100 x 34 inches.
Hot Tub Dimensions 7 Person
Seven-person hot tubs often come with a lounger and regular seats. Depending on your chosen style, they can be square or rectangular, depending on your preferred style, with the average dimensions being 92 x 108 x 40 inches.
Hot Tub Dimensions 8 Person
You have a wide range of options when you choose an eight-person hot tub. Typically, they are square because of the even number of seats; however, you can choose to get loungers on the ends, which will require a more rectangular shape to accommodate three seats on each of the remaining sides. The general dimensions for this type of hot tub are 94 x 94 x 36 inches.
Hot Tub Dimensions 10 Person
A ten-person hot tub is considered a large spa because of how many people it can comfortably accommodate. Typically, spas of this size are rectangular, depending on the manufacturer and model. The average dimensions are 120 x 110 x 38 inches.
Hot Tub Dimensions 12 Person
The grandest of hot tubs is the 12-person hot tub. Offering the most space for entertaining and relaxing, expect to accommodate your hot tub with a much larger area than a small-sized hot tub. The average dimensions are 144 x 92 x 42.5 inches.
Hot Tub Dimensions and Weight
Another essential factor when choosing your ideal hot tub is how much it weighs. This information will determine where you can safely place your hot tub.
The average dry weights of hot tubs by category are as follows:
- Small hot tubs: 350 – 600 pounds
- Medium hot tubs: 650 – 900 pounds
- Large hot tub: 1,000 pounds or more
Now, think about the weight of water. It can be astronomical in the amount it takes to fill up even the smallest hot tub. Smaller hot tubs can weigh up to 3,000 pounds when filled, and larger varieties can weigh more than 8,000 pounds.
Moving an empty hot tub can be a struggle. You must never try to move a filled hot tub.
The weight of the hot tub you choose will affect where you can place it. As you can imagine, something that weighs that much will need a great deal of support.
Where To Place Your Hot Tub
Many hot tub owners like the idea of placing their hot tubs on a deck. However, if you choose to do this, you will need to reinforce your deck so that it can handle the massive amount of weight of your filled hot tub. A standard deck is no match for a filled hot tub.
That’s why in most cases, hot tubs are installed on concrete slabs. The slabs offer even support and will not fail under the weight of the filled hot tub.
Conclusion
While variations occur in each size class of hot tub, you can use the average dimensions to help plan your purchase. Once you know the area you have to work with, you can determine what size hot tub you can accommodate.
With the average dimensions ranging from 76 x 74 x 32 inches up to 96 x 97 x 37 inches, depending on how many people you want to accommodate, you’ll need to ensure that you have enough space around the hot tub to allow for comfortable entry and exit, maintenance, and placement of extra features, such as stairs.
Additionally, you’ll need to choose a location that can support the weight of the hot tub when it is filled. Because of the massive weight of a filled hot tub, it will need to be in a location with solid, flat support.
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