How to Choose the Right Lift Chair Size

A lift chair that fits is more comfortable, easier to get in and out of, and lasts longer. Golden says a chair that is too big or too small can become a safety hazard when moving in and out of it, and can wear out early or develop mechanical problems. Every chart and figure below comes from Golden Technologies' and Pride Mobility's own Canadian size charts, spec sheets, product pages and owner's manuals.

• How to measure
• Golden sizes
• Pride sizes
• Size names
• Room behind the chair
• Questions

Step 1: Take four measurements

Golden and Pride ask for the same four measurements. Golden suggests taking off coats and shoes first, then sitting up straight in a chair with both feet flat on the floor.

1. Seat to top of back: from the seat to the top of the head, sitting upright. Compare it with the chair's back height, which both makers list as seat to top of back.
2. Seat depth: from the back of the seat to the back of the knee.
3. Floor to top of seat: from the floor to the back of the knee. Compare it with the chair's seat height.
4. Width between arms: across the hips while seated, plus 2 inches. Pride says to add a couple of inches for wiggle room.

Golden also asks for the height and weight of the main user. Buying a lift chair as a gift? Golden's tip is to measure the person's favourite chair, so the new one can be matched to it.

Step 2: Find the size for their height

Golden Technologies

Golden's Canadian quick reference chart matches each size to a recommended user height:

Golden calls this a quick reference and sends people to its full sizing guide for the details. For specific chairs, Golden says the Cloud PR510 Small/Medium is for people 5'1" to 5'6" and the Medium/Large for 5'7" to 6'4", and that the MaxiComforter PR535 range fits people from 4'8" to 6'8" across its sizes.

Pride Mobility

Pride publishes a user height for every size of the chairs we carry. Pride says to treat the ranges as a guide, because everyone is built differently.

Pride's two current Canadian sheets for the VivaLift! Ultra PLR-4955 give different height ranges, so call us before choosing an Ultra size.

Step 3: Check the chair against the measurements

Once you have a size in mind, open the chair's size details and compare the numbers you took with the chair's figures of the same name. Each maker's spec sheet lists the seat width (Golden calls it width between arms on some chairs), seat depth, seat height and back height for each size it covers. Golden Canada's Cloud sheet leaves out the Medium Wide, so ask us for those figures. Two sizes of the same chair can differ in more than one way. On the Golden MaxiComforter, for example, the Petite/Small and the Medium share the same 20 inch seat height and 21 inch width between the arms, but the Petite/Small has a shallower seat and a shorter back.

Both makers note that real chairs can differ slightly from the sheet. Golden says sizes may vary with the fabric, filling, upholstery and carpet thickness, and Pride says measurements may vary by about an inch either way.

Golden and Pride size names are not the same

• Hybrid sizes: Golden uses in between sizes such as Small/Medium and Medium/Large, and the Golden Elara comes in Medium/Small. Pride does not use in between sizes like these.
• Petite: Golden's Petite/Small is its own size on the MaxiComforter. Pride's Petite/Wide is for shorter people who want a wide 24 inch seat.
• Tall: on the MaxiComforter, Golden's Tall is a separate size with the highest seat and back. On the Radiance and Tranquil 2, Pride combines Large and Tall into one Large/Tall size for people 5'10" and above.
• Wide and heavy duty: Golden's wide sizes carry more weight: the MaxiComforter Medium Extra Wide is rated to 500 lb and the Large Extra Wide to 600 lb, and the Cloud Medium Wide to 600 lb. Pride's heavier sizes are the Evolution XL at 500 lb and XXL at 600 lb.

Most standard sizes we carry are rated to 400 lb, and the Pride Genesis to 325 lb. Golden's MaxiComfort owner's manual says exceeding a chair's weight capacity voids the warranty, so check the rating for the size you choose.

Step 4: Make room behind the chair

A lift chair needs space behind it to recline. Golden lists this as the distance required from the wall when reclined, and Pride as the distance from the wall. It runs from 12.5 inches on the Pride Tranquil 2 Petite/Wide to 30 inches on the Golden Rhea Large. The owner's manuals also give a general figure: Pride says to place the back of the chair 30 inches from the nearest obstruction, though this may vary by model, and Golden says about 25 inches for its MaxiComfort chairs.

A few more placement tips from the owner's manuals:

• Golden says not to put the chair in the middle of a room or too far from a wall, because that creates a tripping hazard.
• Pride says to place the chair near a standard electrical outlet, on dry, level ground.
• Golden says some high pile carpets can rub against the footrest and get in its way.

Lift chair size questions

What size lift chair do I need for my height?

On Golden's Canadian chart, Medium is for 5'4" to 5'10", Medium/Large for 5'7" to 6'2", Large for 5'11" to 6'2" and Tall for 6'3" to 6'8". Pride's Medium chairs are for 5'4" to 5'9" or 5'10", depending on the model, and its Large/Tall sizes for 5'10" and above. Check the four measurements too, because height alone does not settle the fit.

What size lift chair fits someone under 5'4"?

Golden's chart puts Petite/Small under 5', Small at 5' to 5'3" and Small/Medium at 5'2" to 5'6". Pride's Small and Petite/Wide sizes are for people 5'3" or 5'4" and below, depending on the model.

What size lift chair fits someone over 6 feet tall?

Golden's chart puts Tall at 6'3" to 6'8" and has Large and Medium/Large reaching 6'2", and Golden says the Cloud Medium/Large fits people up to 6'4". Pride's Large/Tall sizes are for 5'10" and above, and the Evolution's Large is for 5'9" to 6'.

How much space does a lift chair need behind it?

Between 12.5 and 30 inches on the makers' size sheets, depending on the model and size, and the table above lists each one. Pride's owner's manual gives 30 inches from the nearest obstruction as a general figure.

Can I return a lift chair if the size is wrong?

Lift chairs are final sale at Care Made, so measure first and call us to check the size before you order.