Door width and maneuvering clearance
Clear width, pull- and push-side floor space, hardware height and opening force for swinging doors, CBC 11B-404 next to the 2010 ADA.
A door can be wide enough and still fail: the floor space in front of it is too small, the hardware is too high, or it takes too much force to open. These are the numbers to check at a swinging door on an accessible route.
Clear width
32 inches minimum, with the door open 90 degrees, measured between the face of the door and the stop on the opposite jamb. If the opening is more than 24 inches deep, the clear width becomes 36 inches. Nothing below 34 inches may project into the clear width; hardware between 34 and 80 inches may project up to 4 inches.
Maneuvering clearance (swinging doors)
| Approach and side | Depth | Beyond latch | California difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front, pull side | 60 in | 18 in | +6 in (24 in) at the exterior side of exterior doors |
| Front, push side | 48 in | 0 in; 12 in with closer and latch | Same |
| Latch side, pull | 60 in | 24 in | ADA allows 48 in (54 in with closer) |
| Latch side, push | 44 in (48 with closer) | 24 in | ADA allows 42 in (48 with closer) |
| Hinge side, pull | 60 in | 36 in | |
| Hinge side, push | 44 in (48 with closer and latch) | 22 in beyond hinge side | ADA allows 42 in (48 with closer and latch) |
Source: CBC Table 11B-404.2.4.1 and 2010 ADA Table 404.2.4.1. The clear floor space must be level, 1:48 maximum in any direction.
Also check
- Hardware: 34–44 in above the floor in California (34–48 in ADA), usable with one hand, no tight grasping or twisting
- Opening force: 5 lbf max (interior doors under ADA; interior and exterior hinged doors in California)
- Threshold: ½ in max; the part above ¼ in beveled no steeper than 1:2
- Closer: at least 5 seconds from 90° to 12° from the latch
- Smooth surface on the push side, 10 in high at the bottom of the door
Questions people ask
What is the minimum door width for wheelchair access?
32 inches of clear width with the door open 90 degrees, measured from the face of the door to the opposite stop (ADA 404.2.3 and CBC 11B-404.2.3). Openings deeper than 24 inches need 36 inches.
How much clear space is needed on the pull side of a door?
For a front approach: 60 inches deep and 18 inches beyond the latch. California adds 6 inches at the exterior side of exterior doors, for 24 inches (CBC Table 11B-404.2.4.1).
And on the push side?
48 inches deep for a front approach. If the door has both a closer and a latch, 12 inches beyond the latch is also required.
What height does door hardware go?
California: 34 to 44 inches above the floor (CBC 11B-404.2.7). ADA: 34 to 48 inches.
How hard can a door be to open?
5 pounds of force maximum for interior hinged doors under the ADA. California applies 5 pounds to exterior hinged doors as well (CBC 11B-404.2.9).
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Codes and statutes change; always check the current edition of the California Building Code, the 2010 ADA Standards and the Civil Code before you rely on a number.
Write the report in the fieldPARS CASp checks your level and tape readings against CBC 11B and the 2010 ADA side by side, keeps photos with each finding, and builds the CASp report for you. iPhone, iPad and Mac.
See PARS CASp →