Standard single-car sizes
Single doors cover one vehicle. The width you need depends on the car and how much margin you want when pulling in.
- 8 ft wide x 7 ft tall: compact cars and tight lots; least forgiving.
- 9 ft wide x 7 ft tall: the most common single-car size in the U.S.
- 10 ft wide x 7 ft tall: full-size trucks, SUVs, and easier maneuvering.
An 8-foot-tall version of each is common in newer homes and for taller vehicles like lifted trucks or vans.
Standard double-car sizes
Double doors span two bays with a single door. They are the default on most modern two-car garages.
- 16 ft wide x 7 ft tall: the classic two-car door; fits most sedans and mid-size SUVs side by side.
- 18 ft wide x 7 ft tall: extra elbow room for two full-size vehicles or wider mirrors.
As with singles, 8-foot-tall variants are widely available. Two-car garages are sometimes built with two separate single doors instead of one double — that costs more in hardware and openers but adds redundancy and design flexibility.
How to measure your opening
Measure the finished, framed opening — not the door slab. Work through this checklist and write every number down.
- Width: measure the opening at the widest point, jamb to jamb.
- Height: measure from the floor to the top of the opening.
- Side room: measure the space on each side of the opening to the nearest wall (need about 3.75 in per side for tracks).
- Headroom: measure from the top of the opening to the ceiling or lowest obstruction.
- Backroom (depth): measure from the opening straight back into the garage.
If any of these fall short, tell your installer before ordering — low-headroom track kits and side-mount openers exist for tight spaces.
Clearances the installer needs
Standard hardware assumes minimum clearances. If you are below them, the fix is usually a specialty kit, not a smaller door.
- Side room: about 3.75 in on each side for the vertical tracks.
- Headroom: roughly 10 to 12 in above the opening for a standard torsion spring; low-headroom kits work in as little as 4.5 in.
- Backroom: door height plus about 18 in for standard tracks and the opener rail.
Always confirm the actual requirement against the specific opener and track system your installer plans to use.
When custom sizing makes sense
Older homes, RV garages, and unusual openings sometimes fall outside standard sizing. Custom doors solve real problems but add cost and lead time.
- RV and boat storage often needs heights of 8 to 14 ft.
- Historic homes may have narrower or non-standard openings.
- New construction can be framed to a standard size to avoid custom pricing — tell your builder early.
If you are within an inch or two of a standard size, it is almost always cheaper to reframe the opening than to order custom.
Common garage door sizes at a glance
| Size (W x H) | Type | Typical Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 x 7 | $10 | $10 | $0 |
| 9 x 7 | $10 | $10 | $0 |
| 10 x 7 | $10 | $10 | $0 |
| 16 x 7 | $20 | $10 | $0 |
| 18 x 7 | $20 | $10 | $0 |