Litter box enclosure size guide
The short answerMeasure your litter box, add 2 in on each side, and buy an enclosure whose interior - not exterior - is at least that big. A standard 16-20 in box needs a 24-31 in cabinet; jumbo and automatic boxes need 35-40 in; two cats need a 47 in double or two cabinets.
Common litter box sizes
| Box type | Typical size (L x W) | Minimum interior you need |
|---|---|---|
| Standard open pan | 16-18 x 12-14 in | 20 x 16 in |
| Large / high-sided pan | 20-22 x 16 in | 24 x 18 in |
| Jumbo or hooded | 23-25 x 18-19 in | 27 x 21 in |
| Automatic (self-cleaning) | 24-28 x 20-24 in, 18-25 in tall | 30 x 24 in, and a door the unit can pass through |
Two things people forget: the cat door has to be big enough for the cat (7.5 x 8.5 in is fine for a 10 lb cat; a 15 lb+ cat wants 9 x 10 in), and the height inside has to clear a hooded box (usually 17-19 in).
Enclosure widths and what they hold
| Enclosure width | Holds | 2026 price band |
|---|---|---|
| 19-24 in nightstand style | One standard pan | $39-90 |
| 30-35 in cabinet | One large pan, or a standard pan plus scoop storage | $60-115 |
| 39-40 in bench | One jumbo or automatic box | $100-130 |
| 47 in double | Two pans, or one automatic plus storage | $117-150 |
Check the interior on our cabinets
- The Cottage Stand - 18.9 x 20.9 x 25 in outside, 17.3 x 19.7 x 17.7 in inside, 7.5 x 8.5 in cat door. A standard pan, not a hooded one. $80.99.
- The Terracotta Cabinet - 31 in cabinet with a 9.8 in side entry; the maker lists it as fitting most automatic boxes. $83.99.
- The Duplex - 47 in, 4 doors, two cat passageways; two standard pans side by side. $81.99.
- The Tower Cabinet - 57 in tall metal cabinet, 30.3 x 21.2 x 19.8 in inner cabinet, 11.8 x 14.9 in entry, three shelves above. $134.99.
Placement rules that keep the cat using it
- One box per cat plus one, even with a double cabinet - the second box can be elsewhere.
- Not next to food or water, and not in a dead-end corner where one cat can trap another.
- Leave the enclosure door open for the first week so the cat learns the new entrance.
