How to measure your wall and ceiling height before ordering

Updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Because every ladder is made to order, sizing is the one step that's genuinely on you rather than us — and it's easier to get right than most people expect. Here's exactly what to measure and how, so what arrives fits the wall you actually have.

1. Ceiling height, measured at the mounting wall

Measure from the finished floor to the ceiling directly at the spot where the ladder will be mounted, not somewhere else in the room — older homes especially can have small variations from one wall to another. Use a tape measure rather than estimating, and measure to the nearest centimetre or half-inch. If your floor has thick carpet or you plan to add flooring later, measure to the surface the ladder will actually stand near, or note the difference so it can be accounted for.

2. Wall width and centering

Most wall-mounted ladders need a clear, flat run of at least 60–90cm (24–36 inches) of width, though the exact figure depends on the specific model. Measure the full width of the wall section you're considering, and note anything that interrupts it — a light switch, an outlet, a radiator, a baseboard heater, or trim that sticks out further than the rest of the wall.

3. Clearance in front of the ladder

A Swedish ladder itself has almost no floor footprint, but using it does — you'll want at least 60–90cm of clear floor space in front of it for pull-ups, dips, and hanging movements without your feet or body catching on nearby furniture. Stand at the proposed spot and picture the movements you'd actually do there.

4. Anything above and below the mounting area

Check what's directly above the top of the planned installation — light fixtures, shelving, or a sloped ceiling can all limit how close to the true ceiling height you can mount. Check below as well: baseboards, vents, or outlets near the floor can affect exactly where the bottom rung lands.

What to send with your order

When you place an order, include your ceiling height measurement and a photo of the wall if you can — it helps confirm there's nothing in the measurements that might affect the fit, like an angled ceiling or an unusually deep baseboard. If anything about your wall seems unusual, it's always fine to ask before ordering.