This article explains the ADA clear width requirement for entry doors and how to measure it, plus key clearance, threshold, and upgrade considerations.
ADA compliance hinges on a 32-inch clear opening at the entry when the door is open to 90 degrees.
Ever tried to guide a wheelchair through a front door that keeps catching on the frame? Wheelchairs can be wider than they look, so a doorway that seems generous can still feel tight in real life. You’ll get the exact width target, how to measure it, and the smart fixes that keep the entry looking sharp while working smoothly.
The 32-inch rule and how to measure it
Clear opening, not slab width
Clear width is measured between the door face and the stop with the door open to 90 degrees, so the tape measure belongs on the latch side where the door actually swings. If the reading lands at 31.5 inches, the opening falls short even when the slab is labeled 32.
Why 36 inches is the practical slab size
On-site, a 36-inch slab is the dependable way to reach that target because the stop and hinge barrel take a small bite out of the opening, and most doors need that extra width to net the required clearance. If you are ordering a new entry, specifying the 36-inch size early keeps the framing, trim, and sidelights proportional.
Wheelchair widths and real clearance
A typical wheelchair is about 26 to 28 inches wide, so a 32-inch opening leaves only a narrow buffer for hands and wheel rims. At 26 inches, that is roughly 3 inches of clearance on each side; at 28 inches, about 2 inches.
Width is only half the story: clearance, thresholds, and hardware
Maneuvering space and handle height
A front push approach needs about 48 inches of depth, while a latch-side pull needs 48 inches of depth plus 24 inches of latch-side clearance. Hardware should sit 34 to 48 inches high for one-handed operation. If a planter or console trims that latch-side space, a compliant door can still be impossible to align with a chair.
Thresholds and landings
Thresholds must stay at or below 1/2 inch when beveled or 1/4 inch if not beveled, and the landings on both sides should be level and unobstructed for steady rolling. A 5/8-inch stone saddle with a sharp edge needs a reprofile to a beveled 1/2-inch cap or a full replacement.
Force and closing speed tuning
Interior doors should open with no more than 5 lb of force and closers should take at least 5 seconds from 90 degrees to near latch, so check for warped doors, tight weather stripping, or dry hinges before you touch the closer screws. A quick pull with a door-force gauge or even a fish scale will tell you whether a 7 lb pull needs tuning.
Where ADA applies and how to prioritize upgrades
Who must comply
Under federal law, ADA Title II covers state and local government, which means an entry door for a public-facing business must be usable by wheelchair users. If you operate a cafe or clinic, the front door is a compliance priority, not an optional upgrade.
Alterations and the 20% rule
When you alter a primary function area, the path of travel to it must be upgraded up to 20% of the project cost and the accessible entrance sits at the top of the priority list for those upgrades. A $50,000 lobby remodel can trigger up to $10,000 in route and entry work, which is why it pays to measure and plan early.
Home entry planning for aging in place
Accessible route guidance calls for 36-inch-wide paths, with doorways allowed to narrow to a 32-inch clear opening. The best practice is to measure the actual wheelchair before you commit to framing. A hallway held at 36 inches with a 32-inch door opening through a 2-ft-thick wall is a practical, buildable target for aging-in-place renovations.
Choosing the right fix for an existing entry
Hinge swaps versus widening
Openings that are narrow, around 28 to 30 inches clear, typically need a new door and frame or a widened opening, while swing-clear hinges can recover clearance when the frame stays. Widening changes the frame and nearby wall construction but delivers the full 32-inch target, while hinge swaps preserve finishes yet may not be enough when the opening is truly tight.
When automatic doors make sense
Automatic doors are optional under ADA, yet when they are installed they must still keep the 32-inch clear width and meet timing and control placement requirements so activation hardware stays within reach. In a two-door vestibule, each door must satisfy the clearance rules independently, so the fix has to work for both leaves.
An entry that meets the 32-inch clear target, protects the approach space, and moves with light, predictable force feels as polished as it looks. Nail those details and curb appeal turns into real welcome and secure living for everyone who crosses the threshold.
