How Wide is the Average Wheelchair? | Detailed Guide

Do you know how wide is the average wheelchair well this article will answer this query along with other queries that you probably have in mind?

Well, an average wheelchair has 24 to 30 inches of width but it varies in different types of wheelchairs. There are a lot of different types of wheelchairs and their width and weight are depending upon their different aspects.

Most of you will know that a wheelchair is a piece of furniture that is been used in the medical field for a very long time. The problem people face with a wheelchair when they bought it without knowing its width and then it doesn’t even fit in normal doorways.

To overcome that problem all you need to do is to know whether the condition needs a wheelchair or not. If the answer is yes, then you need to match the wheelchair dimensions in inches not only to the patient but also to the surroundings (doors).

All of these wheelchairs are designed for different purposes with different widths and dimensions. You need to know your doors and pathways widths because a wheelchair with an average width won’t fit in small doors and paths.

This is why we provide you with some of the factors and solutions you need before buying a wheelchair so let’s get to it.

How Wide is the Average Wheelchair:

There are different types of wheelchairs to surf for different purposes and all of them have different widths. An average wheelchair width varies from 24 inches to 30 inches. Another wheelchair like a lightweight wheelchair has a width of 16 to 20 inches. A heavyweight wheelchair has a width of 25 to 35 inches.

Making Your House Accessible for Wheelchairs:

There are a lot of things that have an impact in many ways on your life when you use a wheelchair. The things which seem small become challenging for you.

You have to adapt to these changes but the adaptation is not that easy. There are some factors that you know before you buy a standard wheelchair and also some solutions which make your life easy.

If want to buy a wheelchair but don’t want to change the doors or resize them then you should consider some important factors before buying a wheelchair.

Size for Door to Fit a Wheelchair:

The normal size of doors in our houses has a standard width of 25 inches to 32 inches and that is not enough to fit a standard wheelchair of 25 or more. So, for a standard wheelchair, you need to have at least 32 to 34 inches in width of the door to fit in nicely.

Width of Doors:

First, know the size and measurement of your doors and buy a wheelchair according to that size. Then you have a wheelchair that can roll smoothly through that doorway.

Corners:

You need to pay attention to your doorways and their corners. If it’s tight enough that won’t able to fit a standard wheelchair then you have to get a lightweight wheelchair that fits through that doorway.

Width of the Walkway:

The standard size of the walkway should be at least 3 feet wide which makes it 36 inches and which makes it easy for the wheelchair caregiver of a wheelchair user to turn the wheelchair easily.

If you live in a house where the walkways have tight space then you should buy a wheelchair that matches that condition.

After doing all of these things in your home now is the time to make the wheelchair accessible for all floor of your house their a couple of different ways so choose whatever fit your situation and needs.

Replacing Stars with Ramps:

For people in a wheelchair, stairs can be hazardous because no wheelchair user can climb that with an assistant or caregiver.

In these situations, you need to install a ramp in your house along with your stairs so a wheelchair user can easily go up and down with or without any help.

You also don’t need to install a ramp if the wheelchair user lives downstairs and doesn’t want to go upstairs or doesn’t need to go upstairs. So, it’s up to the wheelchair user.

Installing a Stairlift:

Sometimes the house is designed in a certain way that having a ramp will be some much inclined or steep and not suitable for wheelchair users. In a situation like there is only one best option which is installing a stairlift.

A stair lift is the only to move from different floors with proper safety. A stair lift is also suitable for elders because they can’t use a wheelchair ramp properly. There is also a suitable wheelchair for stairs that you can invest.

A stair lift is very flexible and you can install it on any type of stair. The best thing about stairlifts is that you can install in on the side of stairs so you have free space for another user. a stairlift can also have remote control mechanisms so which increases the ease of use.

An Elevator:

For the people who can’t use a wheelchair ramp or stairlift, there is a third option and that is a wheelchair elevator. A wheelchair elevator is best for any type of mobility issue person because it’s easy to use and anyone can use it.

There is only one problem with the wheelchair elevator and that is it expensive and needs space to install. If you have money to spend then I recommend using a wheelchair elevator.

Also Read: How to Get Wheelchair Upstairs.

Washroom Modification:

Washroom safety is important for both wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users. First, you have to pay attention to the tiles, there are some types of tiles that become very slippery when they become wet so you need to remove them and have some of the rough ones.

Falling in the washroom is very common and to avoid that you have to install handrails that are suitable in that situation to balance themselves.

The sink in the washroom needs to be in a position in which people can access it in both sitting and standing conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion:

How wide is standard wheelchair? Well, 24 to 30 inches are normal standard wheelchair width for doors. Other wheelchairs are different in their width, weight, and a lot of other things because they are designed for specific reasons.

Along with wheelchairs’ width, you also need to know the width of your doors and pathways and keep the wheelchair smaller than doorways.

I hope you get the answer of how wide is the average wheelchair and you satisfy with our answer but if you have any other questions about what’s the average width of a wheelchair or how wide is an average wheelchair then ask in the comment section down below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

At the end of this article, I just want to say to you that please keep your country clean and the planet Earth cleaner.