Standard Fire Pit Size

The optimal size for a fire pit is between 36 and 44 inches inside diameter.

Standard fire pit size.

Building a fire pit yourself offers room for customization on every detail size included. Built in units often have an exterior dimension of 36 inches to 58 inches. Cut the circle out of the soil or sod using a shovel and dig down to a depth of about 6 inches. The size of fire pits varies greatly.

You also need to take the depth in ground or height above ground of the fire pit into consideration. 15 to 20 feet 4 6 to 6 1 meters long and wide or larger most fire pits besides the small movable models are 3 to 6 feet 0 9 meter to 1 8 meters across. If you re choosing low slung seating such as adirondack chairs don t forget to account for the extra real estate they take up. Most store bought units are available in a 24 inches to 30 inch size.

Local ordinances permitting your fire pit should ideally measure between 36 and 44 inches wide including. A good rule of thumb is to make an above ground fire pit 12 14 inches tall. For a more intimate gathering space a 3 foot wide fire pit would work. Or you go up to 6 feet wide including the thickness of the walls to accommodate six or more people.

By having a wider coping you can use the fire pit for more the just a fire pit. This is a few inches shorter than standard patio furniture seat height. Lets say 4 for a sitting area and such. Be sure that you leave room to move chairs around and walk behind them.

So at the 36 inside diameter with say 14 coping that gives us an outside diameter of 36 14x2 64 inches. So now figure how much room you want to have around the fire pit. I like to plan for about 5 feet around the fire pit for seating and access. That will create enough room for a healthy fire but still keep gatherers close enough to chat.

As an added precaution the fire pit should be lined with a thick steel ring like the ones used for park campfires. If you want to be able to sit on the edge of the pit itself go a bit higher 18 20 inches will be comfortable.