Wheelchair Turning Radius Calculator

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Units Millimeters (mm) Inches (in)

Use consistent units for all inputs.

Wheelchair length

Overall length, including footrests if used.

Wheelchair width

Overall widest point, including hand rims.

Clearance each side

Extra buffer for plants, edging, and hand movement.

Turning style Pivot / 180° turn (U-turn) T-shaped turn space 90° corner planning

Choose the maneuver you want to size.

Apply common minimum turning-space floor

Uses 1525 mm (60 in) as a minimum circle.

Calculate Download CSV Download PDF Reset

Tip: If the download buttons show an error, calculate once first.

Example Data Table

Use these sample values to validate outputs and planning assumptions.

Formula Used

This calculator estimates a pivot turning circle by treating the wheelchair as a rectangle that rotates inside a clear circle. The minimum circle diameter is approximated by the diagonal of the clearance-inflated rectangle:

• L = overall wheelchair length.
• W = overall wheelchair width.
• C = clearance added on each side.
• D = turning diameter, R = turning radius.

When enabled, the tool applies a minimum turning-space floor of 1525 mm (60 in), commonly referenced in accessibility guidance.

How to Use This Calculator

1. Select your units and enter wheelchair length and width.
2. Add clearance for planting edges, pots, and hand movement.
3. Choose the turning style that matches your garden situation.
4. Enable the minimum-space floor to check common guidance.
5. Press Calculate to show results above this form.
6. Use CSV or PDF to share layouts with your team.

Turning space in gardens and outdoor paths

Accessible gardens need predictable typically turning areas at gates, taps, compost stations, and seating. This calculator converts wheelchair size and clearance into a recommended turning diameter and radius. The output helps you place landings so users can reverse direction without contacting borders, pots, or hose reels. For loose materials, add extra clearance to reduce wheel sink and steering drag.

Choosing realistic input dimensions

Measure overall length including footrests, and overall width including hand rims. If the chair is used with a tray, oxygen cylinder, or winter gloves, increase the clearance value. For garden paths with planting overhang, use clearance for both shoulder and elbow swing. When users turn near a wall, consider a larger buffer on the wall side.

How the radius estimate supports layout decisions

The method treats the chair as a rectangle rotating inside a circle. The rectangle’s diagonal becomes the smallest circle diameter once clearance is added. The resulting radius is a planning envelope, not a driving guarantee, because propulsion skill and surface friction vary. Use the diameter to size turning pads, widen pinch points, and verify that curved edging will not reduce the effective circle.

Using common minimum guidance as a safety check

Many accessibility references cite a 1525 mm turning circle as a minimum. The optional floor applies that value when the geometric estimate is smaller, giving conservative results for public or shared spaces. In private gardens, you may switch the floor off to explore compact layouts, but confirm with real-user testing and adjust for mobility aids beyond wheelchairs.

Interpreting results for circle, T-turn, and corners

For pivot turns, use the turning circle and keep it free of obstacles. For T-turn planning, ensure a 1525 mm square landing with at least 915 mm wide arms and base paths. For 90° corners, widen the inside corner, keep sightlines open, and avoid tight shrubs that invade the path. Export CSV or PDF to document assumptions for contractors and maintenance teams.

FAQs

1) What turning radius should I design for outdoors?

Start with the calculated radius and confirm a clear circle on site. Outdoors, add buffer for rough surfaces, edging, and plant growth. Public areas often benefit from the 1525 mm minimum floor.

2) Should I measure the chair or the user’s movement?

Measure the chair’s overall length and width first. Then add clearance for elbows, hands on rims, trays, or carried items. This keeps the turning envelope realistic for gardening tasks.

3) When is a T-shaped space better than a circle?

T-shaped spaces can fit tight layouts while still supporting a direction change. Use a 1525 mm square with 915 mm wide arms and base paths, and keep the center clear.

4) How much clearance should I add near planting beds?

Use clearance for plant overhang, edging stones, and hand motion. For fast-growing shrubs, plan extra space or schedule trimming. More clearance also improves comfort on gravel paths.

5) Do slopes change the turning space requirement?

Yes. On slopes, users may need more room to control speed and reposition. Add clearance, provide landings, and avoid tight turns on steep grades. Surface grip also matters.

6) Why does the calculator use a diagonal-based method?

A rotating rectangle reaches its widest extent along the diagonal. Using that diagonal, plus clearance, gives a practical minimum circle diameter for planning. It is a conservative envelope you can validate with field testing.

Planning Notes for Garden Accessibility

• Provide turning areas near raised beds, compost bins, and water points.
• Use firm, stable surfaces and avoid abrupt level changes.
• For 180° turns, guidance often references a 60 in (1525 mm) circle or a T-shaped space within a 60 in square.