Inputs
Example data table
Sample scenarios for quick verification and training. Values are illustrative.
| Scenario | Occupancy | Occupants | Factor (in/person) | Operational (in) | Allowance (in) | Required (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office main corridor | Office | 180 | 0.20 | 60 | 0 | max(36,44,60,36)+0 = 60 |
| School peak passing | Educational | 350 | 0.20 | 60 | 0 | max(70,60,60,60)+0 = 70 |
| Healthcare with carts | Healthcare | 220 | 0.30 | 84 | 6 | max(66,72,60,84)+6 = 90 |
Formula used
Step 1: Egress width (planning)
Egress width (in) = Occupants × Egress factor (in/person).
Step 2: Accessibility minimum (planning)
Accessibility minimum (in) = 36 in baseline. If two-way traffic or frequent passing, use 60 in.
Step 3: Operational width for equipment (optional)
Operational width (in) = max(Accessibility minimum, (Cart width × carts passing) + (2 × side clearance)).
Step 4: Required corridor width
Required width (in) = max(Egress width, Occupancy minimum, Accessibility minimum, Operational width) + Door/obstruction allowance.
Recommended width = Required width × (1 + Margin%).
How to use this calculator
- Select the occupancy type to load a practical minimum width.
- Enter occupant load from your egress calculations.
- Choose an egress factor that matches your standard approach.
- Enable two-way traffic or wheelchair passing when expected.
- If carts or beds use the corridor, enter cart width and clearances.
- Add allowances for door swings or fixed obstructions if needed.
- Click Calculate, then download CSV or PDF for documentation.
Professional guide
1) Corridor width as a performance target
Corridors do more than connect rooms. They carry daily circulation, maintenance movement, and emergency egress. When widths are undersized, conflicts rise at doorways, corners, and near elevators. A few inches can change the experience from “pinch point” to smooth flow, especially during shift changes and class transitions.
2) Occupant load and egress planning
This calculator estimates egress-driven width using a simple relationship: occupants multiplied by an egress factor in inches per person. For example, 200 occupants at 0.20 in/person yields 40 in of egress width. In many projects, a higher controlling minimum will still govern, but the egress check helps you document assumptions early.
3) Accessibility and passing conditions
Accessibility is not just a minimum number; it is about passing and turning behavior. A baseline route can be planned at 36 in, while frequent passing or consistent two-way movement often benefits from a 60 in planning target. Wider corridors also reduce door conflicts and improve maneuvering near intersections.
4) Operational width for carts and equipment
Operational needs can dominate in facilities that move carts, bins, or beds. The calculator allows you to model one or two carts passing by using cart width plus side clearances. As a quick check, a 32 in cart with 6 in clearance each side needs about 44 in for one-way movement, while two carts may push the operational target well beyond 70 in.
5) Coordination, allowances, and reporting
Door swings and fixed obstructions reduce clear width where people actually walk. Adding allowances helps you stay honest about real constraints. Use the margin input to set a comfort buffer, then export CSV or PDF to share with architects, MEP teams, and safety reviewers. Always confirm final requirements with local codes and the authority having jurisdiction.
FAQs
1) What corridor width does this tool output?
It outputs a required clear width based on the controlling criterion (egress, occupancy minimum, accessibility, or operational needs) plus allowances. It also provides a recommended width after applying your selected margin.
2) Are the minimum widths code requirements?
No. The built-in minimums are practical planning defaults to start design conversations. Always verify corridor width, accessibility, and egress rules with your local building code and the authority having jurisdiction.
3) How should I choose the egress factor?
Select a factor that matches your internal standard and project risk level. Smaller factors suit lower loads, while conservative factors add buffer. If your project uses a specific methodology, align the factor to that reference.
4) When should I enable wheelchair passing or two-way traffic?
Enable them for corridors with frequent opposing flow, long runs, or busy nodes near lifts, lobbies, and classrooms. This shifts the accessibility planning minimum to a wider passing target to reduce daily bottlenecks.
5) How do I model carts, bins, or beds?
Turn on equipment carts, enter the cart width, choose whether one or two carts need to pass, and add side clearance. The calculator compares this operational width against other criteria to find the controlling requirement.
6) Why add door swing or obstruction allowance?
Doors, columns, and fixed items reduce the usable clear width at the tightest point. Adding allowances helps you avoid hidden pinch points and produces a more realistic required width for coordination and reviews.
7) What units does the calculator use?
Inputs labeled in inches are interpreted in inches. You can choose the output unit for the displayed results and downloads, including inches, feet, millimeters, centimeters, or meters for quick coordination across teams.