Fireplace Grate Size Chart: Dimensions, Clearances and Sizing Guide

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The quick answer

To choose a grate, measure the hearth floor across the front opening, rear wall and depth. The grate must be smaller than the floor in every dimension to sit flat with open space around it. Reference models span widths of 14 in, 17 in, 21 in, 24 in, 27 in and 30 in. For tapered fireplaces, choose a tapered model such as a 24 in front with a 21 in back, or a 27 in front with a 23 in back. For durable wood-burning picks, see our guide to the best fireplace grate for wood burning and our review of the best cast iron fireplace grate options.

Fireplace grate size chart

Nominal width	Front width	Back width	Depth	Floor clearance	Published model examples
14 in	14 in	Not stated (rectangular)	11 in	3.35 in	Zettfuly lists 14 in by 11 in by 5.5 in with 4 feet and 3.35 in clearance
17 in	17 in	Not stated (rectangular)	10 in to 11.5 in	2.5 in to 4 in	WILLOW WEAVE lists 17 in by 10 in by 4 in with 7 bars, 8 legs and 2.5 in clearance; Jusgym lists 17 in with 5 bars, 6 legs and 4 in clearance; SNOGSWOG lists 17 in by 11.5 in by 6.5 in with 5 bars, 6 legs and 3.5 in clearance
21 in	21 in	Not stated (rectangular)	14.5 in	4 in	INNO STAGE lists 21 in by 14.5 in by 6.5 in with 4 legs, 4 in clearance and an ember retainer
24 in	24 in	21 in (tapered model)	15 in (UBACKS)	4 in to 4.5 in	UBACKS lists a tapered 24 in front by 21 in back by 15 in depth by 7 in height with 4 in clearance; AMAGABELI GARDEN & HOME lists 24 in with 10 bars and 8 legs; Jusgym lists 24 in with 8 bars, 8 legs and 4.5 in clearance
27 in	27 in	23 in (tapered model)	15 in (InnFinest)	Not stated	InnFinest spec table lists 27 in front length by 23 in back length by 15 in width with 6 bars of 3/4 in square steel and 8.5 in height
30 in	30 in	Not stated	14.25 in (InnFinest)	4.5 in (Jusgym)	InnFinest title lists 30 in by 14.25 in by 8.5 in with 7 bars of 3/4 in steel; Jusgym lists 30 in with 8 bars, 8 legs and 4.5 in clearance

Compare these reference dimensions to your hearth floor measurements. Always measure your firebox floor before buying rather than estimating from opening size.

How to measure your fireplace for a grate

Measuring for a replacement grate takes only minutes, but measuring the wrong spot causes fit issues. Always measure the interior firebox floor where the grate legs sit, not the outer surround or opening top.

Measure the front opening width

Place your tape measure flat on the firebox floor across the front opening between the side bricks. The front of your grate must be narrower than this width. Side space allows air to circulate around the wood, prevents heat stress on side mortar joints and leaves room for tools. If using a screen, verify the front legs sit behind it. See our review of the best fireplace screen options.

Measure the rear firebox width

Many masonry fireplaces feature angled side walls that narrow toward the back. Measure along the rear firebrick wall at floor level. In a tapered firebox, a rectangular grate chosen solely by front width collides with the walls when pushed back. Tapered grates solve this with a narrower rear width. For example, UBACKS lists a 24 in front and 21 in back, while InnFinest lists a 27 in front and 23 in back. If your walls angle inward, match your rear floor width to the grate rear width.

Measure the firebox depth

Measure from the rear firebrick wall forward to the front opening or door track. Grate depth must be shallower than this distance. Grates sit toward the back of the floor so smoke drafts upward along the sloping rear wall into the chimney throat rather than rolling into the room. Overly deep grates push logs forward against doors or screens. Reference depths range from 10 in on the WILLOW WEAVE model and 11.5 in on the SNOGSWOG model to 14.25 in on the InnFinest model, 14.5 in on the INNO STAGE model and 15 in on the UBACKS model.

Check floor clearance and ember height

Floor clearance is the vertical gap between the hearth floor and the bottom of the grate. Elevating logs lets combustion air enter underneath the fuel bed. Published clearances include 2.5 in on the WILLOW WEAVE grate, 3.35 in on the Zettfuly grate, 3.5 in on the SNOGSWOG grate, 4 in on the INNO STAGE and UBACKS grates, and 4.5 in on the Jusgym grates. Higher clearance accommodates deeper ash between cleanouts, while lower clearance fits fireboxes with low lintels.

Fireplace grate styles and construction

Shape, bar thickness, leg design and material determine how a grate performs under hearth heat.

Cast iron vs steel bar grates

Grates are made from cast iron, solid steel square bars, round bars or flat steel stock. Heavy cast iron grates, like the 24 in UBACKS model weighing 24 pounds, hold heat well and resist sagging under coal beds. Welded steel bar grates provide open airflow channels. InnFinest builds its grate from 3/4 in square steel bars, SNOGSWOG uses 1/2 in solid steel bars, and WILLOW WEAVE uses flat steel bars 1 in wide and 5/16 in thick. Compare budget options in our guide to the cheap fireplace grate category.

Tapered vs rectangular grates

Rectangular grates feature equal front and rear widths for square fireboxes and fire pits. Zettfuly, for example, lists a rectangular 14 in by 11 in grate for compact hearths and stoves. Tapered grates are shaped for masonry fireplaces with angled walls, letting you place firewood back into the radiant zone without binding against side bricks.

Leg counts and anti-sag design

Heat and heavy firewood can cause center bars to warp or sag. To prevent sagging, makers add center support legs. AMAGABELI GARDEN & HOME equips its 24 in grate with 8 legs across the base. Jusgym includes 8 support legs on its 24 in and 30 in grates, and 6 legs on its 17 in model. WILLOW WEAVE uses an 8-leg structure with two long legs measuring 6 1/8 in wide. Models from INNO STAGE and Zettfuly feature 4 stability legs.

Ember retainers and bar spacing

Bar spacing affects how coals interact with the floor. Tightly spaced bars, such as the 10 bars on the AMAGABELI GARDEN & HOME grate, the 8 bars on Jusgym grates, or the 7 bars on the WILLOW WEAVE grate, keep coals against unburned logs. Models like INNO STAGE include a mesh ember retainer to hold coals and kindling above the floor. Wider bar gaps let coals drop to the hearth floor, where makers note they form an ember bed that radiates heat without accelerating log consumption.

Common fireplace grate sizing mistakes

Avoiding sizing errors ensures your fireplace draws properly and burns efficiently.

One mistake is buying based solely on opening width. In a tapered firebox, a grate that fills the front opening will not slide between narrowing side walls. Always verify front and rear hearth floor measurements before ordering.

Another mistake is picking a grate that is too deep. When a grate fills the entire hearth depth, logs sit too close to the front opening where they can tumble against a screen or hit doors. Leaving front space keeps burning logs securely back on the hearth.

Finally, do not overlook ash clearance. A grate with lower clearance, such as 2.5 in, requires frequent cleanouts so trapped ash does not touch bottom bars and accelerate burnout. Removing cooled ashes with a shovel maintains airflow. See our guide to the best ash bucket for fireplace use and our review of the best fireplace tool set.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much clearance should be left around a fireplace grate?

A grate should sit inside the firebox with open space on all sides. Perimeter clearance allows combustion air to flow around the firewood, protects side firebrick walls from direct log contact and leaves room for pokers and shovels.

Why are fireplace grates narrower in the back than in the front?

Many masonry fireplaces have angled side walls designed to radiate heat into the room. Tapered grates are narrower in the rear to fit the back of the firebox without scraping brickwork.

What is the difference between cast iron and steel fireplace grates?

Cast iron grates are thick solid pieces that hold heat and resist sagging under coal beds, though they can crack under sharp impact. Welded steel bar grates use individual steel bars for open airflow channels. Both perform reliably when sized correctly.

How high should a fireplace grate sit off the firebox floor?

Reference grates lift firewood between 2.5 in and 4.5 in above the hearth floor. Published figures include 2.5 in on WILLOW WEAVE, 3.35 in on Zettfuly, 3.5 in on SNOGSWOG, 4 in on INNO STAGE and UBACKS, and 4.5 in on Jusgym. This height supplies airflow while allowing ash accumulation.

What size fireplace grate do I need for a wood-burning fireplace?

Select a grate whose front width, rear width and depth are smaller than your hearth floor. Measure front width, rear width and depth, then choose a size from our comparison, such as 14 in, 17 in, 21 in, 24 in, 27 in or 30 in, that fits inside your firebox.

Related guides

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