Door clearance: swing arcs and approach space
Every door reserves floor space — the swing arc, the approach, the clear path. Here's how much, by door type.
A door doesn't just occupy the wall it's in. It reserves floor space around it: the swing arc for hinged doors, the slide path for sliders, the approach for any door. Smart Flow Check enforces these automatically — but knowing the numbers helps you plan.
In this guide
- 1
Hinged door swing arc
Radius = door width. A 32-inch door reserves a quarter-circle with a 32-inch radius — roughly 6.5 sq ft of floor that must be clear. Both sides of the door: Most building codes require 18 inches of clearance on the latch side (so you can stand beside the door to unlock it) plus the swing arc on the swing side.
- 2
Sliding doors
No swing arc. But the wall the panel parks against must be clear of tall furniture so the panel can slide fully open. Approach: 36 inches of clear floor on both sides of the opening.
- 3
Pocket and barn doors
No swing arc. Pocket disappears into the wall; barn slides past it. Approach: Same 36 inches of clear floor on both sides as any door. For barn doors: the wall the door parks against (one side of the opening) cannot have anything mounted on it — no shelves, no thermostats, no light switches, nothing.
- 4
Walkway approach
Both sides of any door: Minimum 36 inches of clear walkway. If a hinged door swings into a hallway, the hallway must be at least the door's width PLUS 36 inches wider.
- 5
Accessible (ADA-equivalent) clearances
Latch-side clearance: 18 inches minimum, 24 inches preferred. Approach landing: 60 × 60 inches square on both sides of the door for wheelchair maneuvering. Maneuvering clearance: Specific patterns depending on the door's swing direction and approach angle.
Tips
Sofa more than 32 inches from a door wall
A typical interior door is 32 inches wide. Park anything that could be in the arc at least 32 inches from the door's wall.
Hallway off a door = door width + 36 inches minimum
If a 32-inch door swings into a hallway, the hallway must be at least 68 inches wide for someone to pass while the door is open.
Common confusions
Furniture in the latch-side clearance
Even with the arc clear, a bookshelf right at the latch side means you can't stand to unlock the door. 18 inches minimum, clear.
Frequently asked questions
How much clearance does a door need?
Hinged: quarter-circle arc with radius equal to door width (32 inches for a 32-inch door). Sliding/pocket/barn: no arc, but 36 inches of approach on both sides.
What's the minimum walkway width past a door?
36 inches clear of the door's swing arc. The hallway must be wide enough to accommodate the door open at 90° plus a 36-inch walkway.
Does Smart Flow Check enforce door clearance?
Yes — it flags furniture in the swing arc of any hinged door, blocks behind sliders, and tight walkways. Set the swing direction correctly and the check handles the rest.
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