How to Measure Your Car for a Dog Ramp (With Angle Chart)

What you need

A tape measure, a level patch of ground and your car loaded as it usually is. Parking on a slope or with the suspension unloaded will change the number.

How to measure

• Park on level ground and open the boot or door
• Measure vertically from the lip your dog steps over down to the ground
• Measure twice; write the number in centimetres
• Note the width of the opening, because a ramp must sit securely inside it

Read the chart

The table above shows the slope for common heights and lengths. A longer ramp gives a gentler slope for the same height. There is no official angle: ramp sellers often quote about 15 to 25 degrees as comfortable for everyday use, and smaller, older or less steady dogs may need less. Use our ramp angle calculator for your exact figures, and see the ramp length and angle guide for worked examples.

Check these too

• The ramp's weight rating against your dog's weight
• The folded size against the space in the car
• A secure rest at the top so it cannot slide
• Whether your dog needs steps instead for a lower height (see ramp or steps for the car)

Our folding ramp is 155cm when open and rated up to 90kg.

Last reviewed on 10 October 2026. General information, not veterinary advice.