How to Measure for Patio Furniture Covers

Chairs & Seating

When measuring chairs, sofas, or other seating furniture, measure the width, depth, back height, and arm height. Some outdoor furniture manufacturers have accurate spec sheets you can send us for quoting. Just be sure to compare their measurements to yours to be safe.

• 1
  Measuring the width

  Measure the widest point from left to right. If the arms flare out, be sure to include that in the overall width.

• 2
  Measuring the depth

  This is the deepest measurement from front to back. Many outdoor chairs and sectionals have backrests that recline or are angled back. Be sure to include this in the depth and to not just measure at the base.

  Using some kind of rod or stick, put it up against the back of the chair and measure from that point to the front of the item. See dotted line in illustration for example.
• 3
  Measuring the back height

  Measure from the ground up to the tallest point of your furniture. This would either be the top of the backrest or the top of your back cushion, whichever is higher.

  • Measure your item how you plan to cover it. If you plan on leaving your cushions up, measure from the ground up to the top of that cushion if that is the highest point.
  • We do recommend folding your cushions down so there is less empty space underneath. This will help prevent water pooling.
• 4
  Measuring the arm height

  Simply measure from the ground to the top of the arms. If it is an armless item (armless chair, armless sofa, etc), measure up to the seat.

Outdoor chair measurement diagram

Dining Sets

Measuring round, rectangular, or square outdoor dining sets, the measurements needed are generally the same. This includes the overall width and depth, width and depth of the table itself, height of the chair, width of the chairs (both the end chair and the side by side chairs), and the diagonal measurement at the corner. Many people try to send the spec sheets of the individual table and the individual chair, but we are unable to make the cover entirely off of this. Because we don't know how far the chairs go under the table, the measurements must come from the entire set.

Outdoor dining set measurement diagram

• 1
  Measuring the overall width and depth

  This is measured from end of chair to end of chair. Make sure the position of the chairs how you want them covered prior to measuring.

• 2
  Measuring the width and depth of the table

  Measure just the top of the table. If it is round, give the diameter of the table.

• 3
  Measuring the height of the chair

  This is measuring the back height of the chair. This should be the highest point of the items. If the table sits higher, be sure to provide the height of that as well.

  Because chairs typically sit higher than the table itself, this creates a big dip in the middle of the cover. This can pool water and collect snow. To avoid the pooling, we recommend buying some kind of inflatable and put it on the table to create a teepee effect.
• 4
  Measuring the width of the chairs

  For this we need both the width of the single end chair and the side chairs together. You can have 2, 3, or even 6 chairs side by side. We just need the width of all these chairs together. If this is a round table with 4 chairs equally around it, we just need the back width of a single chair.

• 5
  Measuring the diagonal

  This is the measurement from the end chair to the side chair. This is needed for both rectangular dining sets and round dining sets.

Tables

Rectangular / square table

Round table

Fire Pits

Measuring rectangular, square, and round firepits are very simply and straightforward. You will need the measure the width, depth, and height of the fire pit. If your firepit has a glass wind guard, see our tips below.

• 1
  Measuring the width

  This is the longest measurement from left to right.

• 2
  Measuring the depth

  This is the shorter of the two measurements from front to back.

  If the firepit is round, we will want the diameter of the and these two measurements will be the same.
• 3
  Measuring the height

  Measure from the ground to the top of the fire pit.

  Some fire pits have glass wind guards. For this we will also need the width, depth, and height from the top of the fire pit to the top of the glass.

Fire pit measurement diagram

Bar Islands

Outdoor bar islands come in many shapes and sizes and can often be custom built. The main measurements needed are the width(s), depth, and height(s). Because they came be rectangular, l-shaped, and u-shaped, there is often multiple widths needed. Bar islands can also have elevated levels, requiring multiple heights.

Bar island measurement diagram

• 1
  Measuring the width(s)

  This is the overall measurement from left to right. Rectangular bar islands just have one width while other configurations need more. The rule here is to provide all outside widths.

• 2
  Measuring the depth

  This is fullest measurements from front to back. If the bar island includes some kind of overhang, include that in the depth.

• 3
  Measuring the height(s)

  Measure from the ground to the top of the countertop. If there is a second level to the island, provide an additional height from the ground to the top of that point.

Related Guides

Continue learning about custom patio furniture covers with our other guides.