A + half of B
Nose to tail base, plus half the height from the ground to the front elbow.
Size chart, measuring formula and a calculator
Pet Carrier and Crate Guide
The crate is the one thing an airline can refuse you for at the counter. Measure first, match the size, then buy. This page has the numbers to do all three.
We supply IATA compliant crates in all six sizes. If you already own one, send photos of the door, the rim fixings and the vents and we will tell you whether it will pass.
IPATA & IATAcertified handling and crate standards
4,000+pets moved safely across India
6 sizessupplied, checked and fitted before travel
7+years of pet travel experience
Short answer first
How do you choose the right carrier for your pet?
Answer
Start with the journey, not the shop. For a domestic pet relocation the mode decides almost everything. Road needs no enclosure at all, so a car seat is enough. A 1st AC train coupe and the railwaydog box need no carrier of your own either. Only air traveland AC2 or AC3 train travel require you to own something specific.
For those, measure your pet and apply the formula. Length is A plus half of B, width is C doubled, and height is D plus bedding plus about 5 cm. Match the result to the smallest crate that clears all three numbers.
Crates run in six standard sizes from 24 to 48 inch. Cabin travel takes a soft bag or backpack under roughly 7 kg. The cargo hold takes hard IATA crates only. Flat faced breeds need one size larger than the measurements suggest.
Size chart
IATA crate sizes, and which dog fits each one
These six sizes cover almost every domestic move. Weight is a starting point, but the measurements in the next section decide it.
Swipe the table sideways to see everything.
| Size | Sold as | Typical external size | Pet weight | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size 1 | XS, 24 inch | 61 x 40 x 39 cm | Up to 6 kg | Kittens, puppies, Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, smaller cats |
| Size 2 | S, 28 inch | 68 x 51 x 47 cm | 6 to 12 kg | Pug, Dachshund, Lhasa Apso, most adult cats |
| Size 3 | M, 32 inch | 81 x 56 x 59 cm | 12 to 20 kg | Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, most Indies, Shih Tzu crosses |
| Size 4 | L, 36 inch | 91 x 64 x 66 cm | 20 to 30 kg | Boxer, Dalmatian, larger Indies, smaller Labradors |
| Size 5 | XL, 40 inch | 102 x 69 x 76 cm | 30 to 45 kg | Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Doberman |
| Size 6 | XXL, 48 inch | 122 x 81 x 89 cm | 45 kg and above | Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Rottweiler, Mastiff |
Breed and weight here are a guide, not the answer. Two Labradors can sit either side of a size boundary, so run your own measurements through thecalculator below before buying. Brands also vary by two to three centimetres, and usable space inside is a little less than the external figure. We check the crate against the airline's own chart before a booking is confirmed, so nothing is discovered at the counter.
Measuring
How to measure your dog before buying a crate
Take all four with your dog standing naturally, not sitting and not stretched out. A fabric tape works better than a ruler.
| Mark | Measurement | Where to measure |
|---|---|---|
| A | Length | Tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Do not include the tail itself. |
| B | Leg height | Ground to the elbow joint of the front leg. |
| C | Width | Across the shoulders, or the widest part of the body if that is wider. |
| D | Standing height | Ground to the top of the head or the ear tip, whichever is taller, with your dog standing naturally. |
| Bedding | Lining thickness | The thickness of whatever you plan to put on the floor of the crate. |
Container dimensions formula
C x 2
Shoulder width doubled, so your dog can turn around without scraping the walls.
D + bedding + 5 cm
Standing height plus the lining, plus clearance so the ears do not touch the roof.
These three numbers are the space your pet needs inside the crate. Use them to stand, turn and lie down comfortably, which is the test an acceptance desk applies.
Work it out
Crate size calculator
Enter your four measurements in centimetres. This applies the formula and returns the smallest standard size that fits.
Find the crate size your pet needs
Measurements in centimetres, taken with your pet standing.
Fill in all four measurements to see a recommendation.
Carrier types
Every carrier type, and where each is refused
Most wasted spending happens here. A soft bag bought for a flight is turned away at cargo acceptance, and a crate bought for a road move was never needed.
Swipe the table sideways to see everything.
| Type | Made of | Accepted on | Refused on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard body crate | Rigid plastic shell, metal door | Air cargo, air cabin in the small sizes, train, road | Nowhere | The only type accepted in the cargo hold. Also the safest choice for a puppy or a cat on a long train journey. |
| Soft body bag | Padded fabric with mesh panels | Air cabin, train, road | Cargo hold | Light and easy to carry. It collapses under weight, so it suits pets under about 7 kg only. |
| Backpack carrier | Fabric with a mesh window or bubble dome | Air cabin, train, road | Cargo hold | Hands free, which helps at a crowded station. Check the airline size chart, since cabin limits are tight. |
| Booster car seat | Padded seat with a harness clip | Road only | Air, train | What we use in our own pet taxis for small dogs and cats. Not an enclosure, so it is for road travel only. |
| Large car seat | Padded cover with a non slip base | Road only | Air, train | For adult dogs on a road move. Protects the vehicle and gives your dog a stable surface to lie on. |
| Railway dog box | Railway owned metal enclosure in the brake van | Train only, dogs only | Air, road, all cats | Provided by Indian Railways. You bring no carrier of your own for this option. |
By travel mode
What each mode actually requires
Two of these six need nothing from you. Read this before spending anything on a carrier.
Swipe the table sideways to see everything.
| Mode | What you need | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air, cabin | Soft bag, backpack or small hard carrier that fits under the seat | Pet and carrier together usually under 7 kg | Only some airlines carry pets in the cabin. Your pet stays in the carrier for the whole flight. |
| Air, cargo hold | Hard IATA compliant crate, correctly sized | No upper limit, priced on chargeable weight | Flat faced breeds are restricted by most airlines. Snub nosed pets that are accepted need one size larger. |
| Train, 1st AC coupe | No carrier required | Whole coupe or cabin booked | Your pet travels loose in the coupe with you or with our handler. A leash and collar still come along. |
| Train, AC2 and AC3 | Secure hard body crate kept at the berth | Small dogs and cats | Booked at the station parcel office. The crate stays closed and covered for the journey. |
| Train, dog box | Nothing, the railway enclosure is used | Dogs only, no cats | The brake van box is railway property. Our handler travels on the same train and checks at halts. |
| Road, pet taxi | Car seat, or a crate if your pet prefers one | No size limit | The most flexible option. Nothing has to fit a chart, so a large dog travels without a crate at all. |
Full detail on each mode: air travel, train travel, and road and pet taxi.
Airline rules
What makes a crate airline approved
An acceptance desk works through this list in about ninety seconds. Any one failure stops the booking, so we check yours in advance.
Rigid shell, metal door
Hard plastic, fibreglass or wood. The door must be metal and must not open under pressure. All plastic doors are turned away.
Bolts, not clips
The two halves join with nuts and bolts around the full rim. Plastic snap clips alone are refused at acceptance.
Ventilation on all four sides
Openings on the door and on the other three walls, covering roughly a sixth of the total wall area.
Leak proof floor
A solid base with absorbent lining. No wire mesh floor, and nothing that can slide out during handling.
Bowls fixed inside the door
Food and water bowls attached to the door and reachable from outside, so staff can refill without opening it.
Wheels removed
If the crate has wheels, they come off or are taped so the crate cannot roll on a loading belt.
Live animal labels
Live animal stickers on the top and at least two sides, upright orientation arrows, and your contact details.
Stand, turn and lie down
Your pet must do all three naturally inside. A crate that fails this is refused even if every other rule is met.
What travels taped to the crate
Paperwork rides with the crate, not in your bag. A clear pouch on the roof holds the vaccination record, the vet fitness certificate and a feeding note, so ground staff never need to open the door to find them. Carry two photocopies of each as well.
Our handler fits the pouch and runs this whole list at pickup, then the same crate goes through to delivery at the other end. Nothing is swapped mid journey, which matters more than it sounds: a pet settled into one crate should not be moved into another.
Not sure your crate will pass?
Send us photos of the door, the rim fixings and the ventilation. We will tell you whether it clears acceptance, and what size your pet actually needs.
Cats and small pets
Carriers for cats, rabbits, birds and rodents
The dog size chart does not help here, because the deciding factor is behaviour rather than body length.
Swipe the table sideways to see everything.
| Pet | What to use | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Hard body crate, size 1 or size 2 | A covered crate settles a cat faster than a roomy one. Line it and keep a familiar cloth inside. |
| Kittens and puppies | Size 1 hard crate with extra lining | Choose for the current body, not the adult size. Too much space means sliding around at every jolt. |
| Rabbits and guinea pigs | Hard body crate, size 1 | Ventilation matters more than space. Bonded pairs travel together, others go in separate crates. |
| Hamsters and small rodents | Small hard carrier with a secure latch | They chew fabric, so a soft bag is not safe. Bedding goes in deep enough to burrow into. |
| Birds, cabin travel | Compact travel carrier with perch | A perch at the right height stops the bird gripping the floor. Keep the carrier covered to reduce panic. |
| Birds, cargo travel | Solid sided carrier with mesh ventilation | Draughts are the risk in the hold, not temperature. Three solid walls with mesh on one face works best. |
Cat specific handling, including why a covered carrier beats a roomy one, is on our cat transport page.
Before travel day
Getting your pet used to the crate
A crate first seen on travel day is a box your pet is trapped in. A crate seen for two weeks is a place they already sleep.
- 2 weeks before
Put the crate out and leave it open
Place it where your pet already sleeps, door tied open, nothing asked of them. Let them walk past it for a few days.
- 10 days before
Make it worth entering
Feed meals just inside the door, then further in. Add their own blanket. Never shut the door at this stage.
- 1 week before
Close the door briefly
Shut it for two minutes while you stay in the room, then longer. Open it before they ask, not after.
- 3 days before
Take a short drive
A ten minute trip in the crate teaches that it moves and then stops. This matters most for cats.
- Travel day
Leave the bedding unwashed
A blanket that smells of home does more for a nervous pet than anything else you can pack.
Questions people ask
Carrier and crate FAQs
What size crate does my dog need?
Measure your dog, then apply the formula rather than guessing from breed. Length is A plus half of B, width is C doubled, and height is D plus your bedding thickness plus about 5 cm. Match those three numbers to the smallest crate in the size chart that clears all of them.
Weight ranges are a starting point only. A tall lean Indie and a short heavy Bulldog can weigh the same and need different crates, because height and length drive the answer, not weight.
Can pets fly without a carrier?
No. Every airline requires a carrier, in the cabin and in the hold. Cabin travel needs a soft bag or small hard carrier that fits under the seat. The hold needs a hard IATA compliant crate that matches your pet size.
A crate that is too large is refused as often as one that is too small, because a pet with room to slide is at risk during loading.
How do I carry a dog on an Indian train?
It depends on the class. In a 1st AC coupe no carrier is needed, since your dog travels loose in the booked coupe under supervision. In the railway dog box your dog goes into the enclosure the railway provides, so you bring no crate at all.
In AC2 and AC3, small dogs and cats travel in a secure hard body crate kept at the berth. Full booking detail is on our train travel guide.
Can a dog travel without a crate?
Yes, on two of the four modes. A pet taxi needs no crate, since your dog travels on a car seat or loose in a secured vehicle. A 1st AC train coupe needs no crate either.
Air travel always needs one. If your dog panics in enclosed spaces, road or train is the better plan, and we would say so before you spend on a crate.
Is a soft carrier or a hard carrier better?
Soft carriers are lighter and fold away, which suits short journeys, the cabin of a flight and pets under about 7 kg. Hard carriers take rough handling, hold their shape under a stack, and are the only type the cargo hold accepts.
For anything longer than a few hours, or for any air journey in the hold, choose hard.
What makes a crate airline approved?
A rigid shell, a metal door that cannot spring open, nuts and bolts around the rim instead of plastic clips, ventilation on all four sides, a leak proof floor, bowls fixed inside the door, and live animal labels with orientation arrows.
The final check is behavioural. Your pet must stand, turn around and lie down naturally inside. A crate failing that is refused at acceptance regardless of its markings.
Do flat faced breeds need a bigger crate?
Yes. Airlines that still accept snub nosed breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers and Persian cats require one size larger than the measurements alone suggest, for airflow around the head.
Many airlines refuse these breeds in the hold entirely. Check our air travel guide before buying a crate for a flat faced pet.
Can two pets share one carrier?
On road and train journeys, two bonded pets from the same home often share a roomy crate and settle better than they would apart. It also costs far less than two bookings.
For air travel, airlines set their own rules by size and weight, and usually allow sharing only for two small animals of similar size. We confirm this before booking rather than at the airport.
Do you supply the crate, or do I buy one?
Either. We supply IATA compliant crates in all six sizes, and for a single move that is usually the cheaper route. If you already own one, send us photos of the door, the rim fixings and the vents and we will tell you whether it will pass.
Buying makes sense when your pet travels more than once, or when you want the crate at home for months of familiarisation beforehand.
How early should my pet start using the crate?
About two weeks before travel for a calm pet, and four to six weeks for a nervous one. Start with the door open and food inside, close it only in short spells, and never use it as a punishment.
This single step reduces travel day stress more than anything else, and it costs nothing.
How do I clean a carrier after a journey?
Hard crates wash down with soap and water, and the bolts come off so the two halves separate. Soft carriers usually have a removable liner that machine washes.
Clean it before storing, not before the next trip. A crate that smells of a previous journey is harder for a pet to settle into.
Keep reading
Plan the rest of your move
Pet travel by airWhich airlines carry pets, cabin versus hold, and what flying costs.Pet travel by trainCarrier travel, 1st AC coupe, the dog box, and how booking works.Pet taxi and road travelDoor to door road transport where no crate is needed at all.Dog transport servicesMode guidance by size, plus snub nosed breed restrictions.Cat transport servicesWhy a cat move is planned differently, and what a cat carrier needs.Route wise cost guideReal pricing for 45 routes by road, train and air.