How big is a parking space?

In the United States, the size of parking spaces varies. Typically they fall between 7.5 to 9 feet wide and 10 to 20 feet long. The most common size is 8.5 feet wide by 19 feet long.

Several variables can affect the size of parking spaces. For example, parallel parking spaces are generally larger than perpendicular parking spaces. They may be 10 feet wide instead of the more usual 8.5. This allows drivers to maneuver their vehicles into the allotted space more easily. The cost and availability of land may also have an affect on the size of parking spaces. In areas where square footage is expensive, compact parking spaces are more common. These might be as narrow as 7.5 feet.