What size sauna do you need?
The short answer
A 2-person indoor cabin takes about 1.2 × 1.9 m, and a 4-person indoor sauna about 1.8 × 2 m. Garden saunas for 4 to 6 people are typically 2.2 to 3 m on their longest side. Buy for how many people will usually use it at once, not the most you'd ever fit.
Sizes by number of people
| People | Type | Footprint | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Indoor infrared or traditional | 1.2 × 1.9 m | Aquasun RL2, TG2 |
| 2–3 | Garden cabin | 1.5 × 2.0 m | Aquasun Hiki S |
| 3 | Indoor infrared or traditional | 1.5 × 1.9 m | Aquasun RL3, TG3 |
| 3–4 | Barrel | 1.6 m long × 2.05 m across | Aquasun 160 barrels |
| 3–4 | Cube | 1.6 × 2.15 m | Aquasun Cube 160 |
| 4 | Indoor traditional | 1.8 × 2.0 m | Aquasun TG4 |
| 4 | Barrel | 2.5 m long × 2.05 m across | Aquasun Thermo 250 |
| 4–6 | Garden cabin | 3.0 × 2.4 m | Caragh Lighthouse |
| 6 | Barrel | 2.8 m long × 2.35 m across | Aquasun Thermo 280 |
| 6 | Cube | 2.2 × 2.3 m | Aquasun Cube 220 |
| 8 | Cube | 2.4 × 3.05 m | Aquasun Cube 324 XL |
Dimensions as published by the sellers. Seller seat counts assume people sitting close together; for lying down or more room, go one size up.
Choosing a size
- Count the usual group, not the occasional party. A bigger sauna takes longer and costs more to heat every time.
- Check the height. Indoor cabins are often about 1.9 m tall, so measure under sloping attic ceilings.
- Leave space around it for the door to open, for air to circulate and to reach the back for maintenance. Follow the seller's clearances.
- Check access. Make sure the parts, or the whole sauna, fit through your doors or side passage.
Sizing the heater
Traditional heaters are rated for a range of room volumes. Multiply length × width × height of the inside of the sauna, then choose a heater rated for that volume. Add 20 to 25% to the volume if the sauna has glass doors or windows, uninsulated walls, tiled or stone surfaces, or stands outdoors in a cold climate.
Common questions
What size sauna do I need for 2 people?
An indoor 2-person cabin is about 1.2 m wide and 1.9 m deep. For a garden sauna, a small cabin for 2 to 3 people is about 1.5 × 2 m. Leave room around it for the door, ventilation and access.
What size sauna heater do I need?
Heaters are rated for a range of room volumes. Work out the volume (length × width × height) and pick a heater rated for it. Add 20 to 25% to the volume if the sauna has glass doors or windows, poorly insulated walls, tiled or stone surfaces, or is outdoors in a cold climate.
Sources
More in choosing a sauna
New to this? Read buying a home sauna, step by step.
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