Car Dimensions
Width, length & height by reg, make and model
Instantly check the size of any car:
- Wide
- Long
- High
Enter a number plate below to find the measurements of your car.
Why Car Size Matters in the UK
In the UK, car size isn’t just a measurement. It defines how, where, and even what you drive.
Narrow terraced streets, tight parking bays, and small garage spaces mean that width, length, and height aren’t just specifications — they’re constraints.
Most UK parking bays measure just 2.4 m wide, and multi‑storey car parks often limit clearance to around 2.0 m.
A car that’s too wide may prevent doors from opening fully; one that’s too long can overhang pavements or obstruct walkways.
For electric vehicles, limited space can also affect access to charging points, making metric size a key factor in plug-in compatibility at home or in shared charge bays.
That’s why calculating your car’s dimensions before buying, parking, or insuring is essential.
It helps you avoid daily inconvenience and ensures a better spatial fit for your lifestyle.
Compact / Hatchback – Typical Dimensions
Category | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Example Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hatchback | 4000-4350 | 1700-1800 | 1450-1550 | Ford Fiesta, VW Polo |
Compact hatchbacks are well-suited to UK roads and parking environments.
Their shorter length and modest width make them easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces, especially urban streets and parallel parking bays.
If you need daily flexibility with minimal clearance issues, this category offers strong compatibility with most UK infrastructure.
Family Car / Estate – Typical Dimensions
Category | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Example Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Estate | 4500-4850 | 1750-1850 | 1450-1550 | Skoda Octavia Estate, Ford Mondeo |
Estate cars are designed for load-carrying and comfort
They offer extended boot space and a longer body, which is useful for families or large items, but comes with fitment trade-offs.
While width remains manageable, reversing or parallel parking can become harder in high-density areas or short bays.
SUV / Crossover – Typical Dimensions
Category | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Example Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SUV | 4400-5000+ | 1800-2000 | 1550-1800+ | Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage |
SUVs and crossovers offer raised visibility and ample cabin space, but require more room to operate.
Their added height can be an issue in older garages or multi-storey car parks.
Wider bodywork also increases the risk of mirror clashes and makes narrow entries more difficult.
Always check both width and height clearance if you live or drive in constrained spaces.
Car Dimensions Comparison by Make and Model
Yes, you can compare car dimensions by make and model right here.
Use the table below to explore the width, length, and height of the UK’s most popular vehicles, including practical fitment notes for garages, parking bays, and urban use.
Whether you're checking driveway clearance or choosing between hatchbacks and SUVs, this data helps you decide with confidence.
All figures are in millimetres and based on recent Manufacturer Specifications. Sort or filter by category or size to match your needs.
Brand/Model | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Category | Fit Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ford Fiesta | 4,040 | 1,735 | 1,476 | Hatchback | Narrow street friendly |
Nissan Qashaqi | 4,425 | 1,835 | 1,625 | Compact SUV | May not clear older garage ceilings |
VW Polo | 4,074 | 1,751 | 1,455 | Compact Hatch | Ideal for city parking |
Hyundai i10 | 3,675 | 1,680 | 1,483 | City Car | Excellent for urban tight spots |
Kia Sportage | 4,660 | 1,865 | 1,665 | SUV | Wide body - check driveway width |
Vauxhall Astra | 4,374 | 1,860 | 1,441 | Family Hatchback | Wide for its class - verify garage fit |
BMW 3 Series | 4,713 | 1,827 | 1,444 | Executive Saloon | Long wheelbase - check parking depth |
Audi Q3 (2024) | 4,500 | 1,873 | 1,567 | SUV | Check multi-storey clearance |
Ford Mondeo | 4,867 | 1,852, | 1,501 | Estate | Large footprint - tight in urban bays |
Tesla Model 3 | 4,720 | 1,933 | 1,433 | Electric Saloon | Wide body - check folded mirror width |
What is car width, and what affects it?
Car width is the horizontal measurement across a vehicle’s body, often excluding mirrors.
It determines whether your vehicle can pass through narrow streets, fit inside parking bays, or open doors safely.
In the UK, most cars range from 1,700 mm to 1,900 mm wide, though large SUVs can exceed this.
Factors that influence effective width include wheel arches, side mirrors, and the extent to which doors swing out when opened.
Even a 50 mm increase can mean the difference between comfortably parking and scraping through a tight spot.
What is car length?
Car length is the distance from the front bumper to the rear bumper.
This measurement influences whether your vehicle fits in a driveway, garage, or parking space.
Compact cars tend to stay under 4,400 mm, while estates and saloons often exceed 4,700 mm.
Longer cars offer more cabin and boot space, but they may overhang in short bays or affect reverse manoeuvring.
Length also plays a key role in turning circle and road presence.
What is car height and clearance?
Car height is measured from the ground to the highest point of the vehicle’s roof.
This matters in the UK, where multi-storey car parks and home garages often have a maximum clear height of 2.0 m or less.
Standard hatchbacks usually sit below 1,550 mm, while SUVs and electric cars can exceed 1,600 mm.
Add-ons like roof boxes, bike racks, or aerials increase your effective height, often without visual cues.
Knowing your total clearance is critical to avoid costly damage or denied access.
Car Size in Feet, Metres & Inches
In the UK, car size is typically listed in millimetres, but most garages, parking spaces, and home storage areas still rely on feet and inches.
Understanding the length, width, and height of a vehicle across all units helps you avoid clearance issues and make practical decisions, whether buying or checking if a car fits in a specific space.
Use the conversion table below to view the dimensions of popular UK car models in millimetres, metres, and feet/inches.
Make/Model | Length (mm) | Length (m) | Length (ft/in) | Width (mm) | Width (m) | Width (ft/in) | Height (mm) | Height (m) | Height (ft/in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ford Fiesta | 4,040 | 4.04 | 13 ft 3 in | 1,735 | 1.74 | 5 ft 8 in | 1,476 | 1.48 | 4 ft 10 |
Nissan Qashqai | 4,425 | 4.43 | 14 ft 6 in | 1,835 | 1.84 | 6 ft 0 in | 1,625 | 1.63 | 5 ft 4 in |
VW Polo | 4,074 | 4.07 | 13 ft 4 in | 1,751 | 1.75 | 5 ft 9 in | 1,455 | 1.46 | 4 ft 9 in |
Hyundai i10 | 3,675 | 3.68 | 12 ft 1 in | 1,680 | 1.68 | 5 ft 6 in | 1,483 | 1.48 | 4 ft 10 in |
Kia Sportage | 4,660 | 4.66 | 15 ft 3 in | 1,865 | 1.87 | 6 ft 1 in | 1,665 | 1.67 | 5 ft 5in |
Vauxhall Astra | 4,374 | 4.37 | 14 ft 4 in | 1,860 | 1.86 | 6 ft 1 in | 1,441 | 1.44 | 4 ft 9 in |
BMW 3 Series | 4,714 | 4.71 | 15 ft 5 in | 1,827 | 1.83 | 6 ft 0 in | 1,444 | 1.44 | 4 ft 9 in |
Audi Q3 | 4,500 | 4.50 | 14 ft 9 in | 1,843 | 1.84 | 6 ft 0 in | 1,567 | 1.57 | 5 ft 2 in |
Ford Mondeo Estate | 4,867 | 4.87 | 15 ft 11 in | 1,852 | 1.85 | 6ft 1 in | 1,501 | 1.50 | 4 ft 11 in |
Tesla Model 3 | 4,720 | 4.72 | 15 ft 5 in | 1,933 | 1.93 | 6ft 4 in | 1,433 | 1.44 | 4 ft 9 in |
📏 Quick Conversion Reference
- 1 metre = 3.28084 feet
- 1 inch = 25.4 mm
- 1 foot = 12 inches
Rounded to the nearest inch for usability
🔎 Why This Matters
Most UK car spec sheets use millimetres or metres, but older parking spaces, garages, and property measurements often use feet and inches.
Providing all three units ensures compatibility between technical data and real-world applications.
Accurately verify the size of your car and its specifications with a Free Vehicle History Report.
Will My Car Fit in a UK Garage or Parking Space?
A typical UK garage or parking bay wasn’t built for today’s wider vehicles.
That’s why understanding how your car fits within the available space is essential.
Below are the standard dimensions of garages and bays in the UK, along with what to watch out for regarding vehicle width, length, and height.
Even a difference of 50–100 mm can make or break daily usability.
Standard UK Garage & Parking Space Dimensions
Space Type | Width (mm) | Length (mm) | Height (mm) | Fit Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard Garage | 2,400-2,500 | 4,900-5,200 | 2,000-2,100 (door clearance) | Older garages may be narrower |
Parking Bay | 2,400 | 4,800 | N/A | Designed for <1,900 mm width cars |
Multi-storey Entry | N/A | N/A | 2,000 max | Height is often the limiting factor |
🚗 Quick Fit Checklist
✅ Car width under 1,850 mm → likely fits most UK parking bays
✅ Car length under 4,800 mm → fits most domestic garages
✅ Car height under 2,000 mm → clears most multi-storey entries
🚫 Roof box, bike rack, or SUV height? → double-check clearance limits
🧭 Driveway gates or side mirrors? → check full swing radius
How Do Car Dimensions Compare Between Different Models?
Many drivers know the numbers, but what do they actually mean?
This section helps interpret differences in car dimensions across vehicle types, showing what to expect when comparing categories like hatchbacks, estates, and SUVs.
Car Dimensions Comparison by Make and Model
Vehicle Category | Typical Length (mm) | Typical Width (mm) | Typical Height (mm) | Fit Implications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
City Car | 3,500-3,800 | 1,600-1,700 | 1,450-1,500 | Fits nearly all garages and tight parking slots |
Hatchback | 4,000-4,200 | 1,700-1,800 | 1,450-1,550 | Standard UK fit - reliable choice for everyday usability |
Family Estate | 4,500-4,900 | 1,800-1,860 | 1,450-1,500 | Long but low - ideal for cargo, may overhang in short bays |
SUV/Crossover | 4,400-4,800 | 1,800-1,900+ | 1,600-1,700+ | Taller and wider - clearance issues in multi-storeys, garages |
🔍 Key Takeaways:
- Hatchbacks strike the best balance for UK constraints.
- SUVs risk height or width conflicts in older structures.
- Estates often exceed garage depth, practical but less agile.
- Even small dimensional increases matter in high-density cities.
🔁 Want to see specific makes and models?
Check the Car Dimensions Comparison Table for full specs across 10+ top-selling UK vehicles.
FAQs About Car Dimensions
Most UK vehicles range between 4,200 mm and 4,600 mm in length.
City cars and hatchbacks sit below 4.2 m, while estates and executive saloons often exceed 4.7 m.
The UK’s average car length is approximately 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in).
The average hatchback in the UK measures between 1,750 mm and 1,800 mm wide, excluding mirrors.
This makes them ideal for standard parking bays (2.4 m) and tight residential streets.
Most UK garages have a clearance of 2,000 mm (2.0 m).
To avoid scraping the ceiling, your vehicle should stay under 1,850 mm in height, including any roof bars or boxes.
Car dimensions are typically given in millimetres or metres, but converting to feet helps with garage and driveway fit.
For example, a car that is 4,500 mm long equals about 14 ft 9 in.
Check Vehicle Dimensions by Reg.
You can compare vehicle dimensions by make and model using our Car Dimensions Chart.
It lists the width, length, and height of popular UK cars, along with real-world fitment notes.
The average UK vehicle width (excluding mirrors) is around 1,800 mm (5 ft 11 in).
SUVs tend to be wider, while city cars are often closer to 1,650 mm (5 ft 5 in).
Verify your vehicle with a Car Dimensions Check.