Tools
Work out your dog's travel crate size
Measure your dog (length + height) and get the minimum interior crate size — safe and comfortable — with a cabin-or-hold check by airline.
The breed does not give the size, the tape measure does
This is the most common mistake, and it is costly at the counter: two dogs of the same breed can call for two different crate sizes. Size is read off the animal standing — nose to base of tail, height at the withers, height of the ears upright — never off its pedigree entry. The 172 reference breeds place a starting size band, nothing more.
The second trap is weight rather than dimensions. The most common cabin cap is 8 kg, applied as such by 43 airlines — and 57 of the 58 published caps count the bag or the carrier in that total. A seven-kilo dog in a bag of a kilo and a half therefore exceeds an eight-kilo cap.
Weigh your dog in its travel bag, on a scale, before booking your flight. It is the only figure that compares to an airline's cap, and it takes two minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure my dog for a travel crate?
Two measurements are enough, with the dog standing: length (nose to the base of the tail, not the tail) and height (floor to the top of the head, ears included). Our calculator turns these into a crate size, using the measurement method published by IATA.
What size crate does my dog need to fly?
The crate must let the dog stand, turn around and lie down. The IATA rule: length ≥ dog length + ½ elbow height, width ≥ 2 × shoulder width, height ≥ standing height. Enter your measurements for the exact result.
What is the IATA sizing formula?
Length = A + ½B, Width = C × 2, Height = D, where A = nose-to-tail length, B = elbow height, C = shoulder width, D = standing height (head/ears). Our tool estimates B and C from the height so you only enter two measurements.
Do snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds need a bigger crate?
Yes, and the margin is ours. For flat-faced breeds (bulldog, pug, boxer…), our calculator adds 10% when you tick the box, to ease breathing: this is a MyDogCanFly comfort margin, not a figure mandated by IATA. Some airlines may also apply specific restrictions to snub-nosed breeds: confirm the rule that applies to your flight with the carrier operating it.
Can my dog travel in the cabin instead of a crate?
In the cabin, the dog travels lying down in a soft carrier under the seat: it's mainly about weight (often ≤ 8 kg incl. bag) and footprint. Our tool checks cabin eligibility against each airline's published carrier dimensions.
Are there standard airline crate sizes?
Each manufacturer has its own size series, and none of them is published by IATA: they are commercial references. What the airline looks at is the model's real interior dimensions. Our calculator gives you the minimum to meet, from your dog's measurements — compare it against the dimensions the manufacturer states.