Choosing the Right Hot Tub Size and Shape
When it comes time to choose the perfect hot tub spa for your backyard, finding the right size hot tub is one of the most important decisions you will make. Hot tub sizing impacts everything from the space that can accommodate the jacuzzi, cost, shapes and configurations, how many people can be seated, and even energy-efficiency and related costs. Your goal should be to find a hot tub size that suits your family and entertainment needs, while also fitting comfortably in your yard – as well as within your hot tub budget.
Modernize is here to help you find the best hot tub for your home with our seating and sizing guide. Get ready to explore dimensions, sizes, shapes, and energy-efficiency considerations.
Standard Hot Tub Dimensions and Sizes
The first thing you need to know about hot tub sizes is common dimensions. Hot tubs typically range in width from 5 feet to 9 feet, and range in height from 29 inches to 39 inches. Sizes and dimensions can vary depending on the hot tub manufacturer.
It is helpful to think in terms of three standard hot tub sizes – small, medium and large. Small hot tubs accommodate between 2 and 4 guests, medium hot tubs seat 4 to 6, and large hot tubs can comfortably accommodate 7 or more.
Sizes and Costs
Besides thinking of how many people you want to seat, also consider dimensions and cost of the hot tub. Will the hot tub fit within the space you have picked out for it? Patios can be especially challenging for large hot tubs, whereas outdoor yard space can usually fit larger jacuzzi tubs. It’s best to measure the exact area of the hot tub’s future space before choosing a size. And of course, you always want to keep cost in mind – the larger the hot tub, the more it will cost, relatively speaking.
Take a look at common hot tub dimensions and average sizes below, along with their relative costs:
| Hot Tub Size | Dimensions | Cost |
| Small spas (2 to 4 seats) | 5’4” to 7” W x
29” to 35” H |
$3,000 to $5,000+
Depending on quality |
| Medium spas (4 to 6 seats) | 6’6” to 7’9” W x
33” to 39” H |
$5,000 to $12,000 Depending on quality |
| Large spas (7+ seats) | 7’7” to 9’ W x
36” x 39” H |
$9,000 to $20,000
Depending on quality |
Be mindful that dimensions may differ based on whether it is an in-ground vs. portable hot tub. Also, when noting these dimensions, don’t overlook height. The height of the hot tub impacts depth and water capacity. Water depth can create a more relaxing experience, since ideally you want the water to fall around shoulder height for most guests.
Seating and Shapes
Many homeowners have a shape in mind for their new hot tub based on appearance and style. However, shape involves practical considerations as well when it comes to sizing. The shape of your hot tub will have a big impact on its dimension and size, as well as how many people it can hold. Take a look at the below chart to understand how hot tub shapes and number of seats can impact the dimensions:
Rounded Hot Tub
Seats 3 to 6 people
Oval Hot Tub
Seats 2 to 6 people
Rectangular Hot Tub
Seats 4 to 8 people
Square Hot Tub
Seats 4 to 8 people
Corner Hot Tub
Seats 2 to 3 people
Rounded Triangle Hot Tub
Seats 2 to 3 people
Diamond Hot Tub
Seats 4 people
Clover Hot Tub
Seats 4 people
Hexagonal Hot Tub
Seats 6 people
Octagonal Hot Tub
Seats 6 people
Keep in mind that certain shapes have limitations in terms of number of seats. For instance, square and diamond-shaped hot tubs typically accommodate up to 4 or 8 guests due to having four sides. Triangular or corner hot tubs similarly can only accommodate 2 to 3 guests.
When choosing a hot tub size and shape, be sure to ask your hot tub professional about water capacity, plus what you can expect in terms of the hot tub’s monthly energy consumption.
Hot Tub Seating Options
How do you know how many seats you will need for your hot tub? It may seem obvious. However, always remember the amount of seats impacts the hot tub’s size. Larger hot tubs require more electricity to run, space in your yard, and usually, a higher quantity of jets. Take a look at what to expect when choosing between different hot tub sizes and seating options.
2 to 3 Person Hot Tubs
Small hot tubs that accommodate 2 to 3 people can be perfect for couples or homes with smaller outdoor spaces to accommodate a new jacuzzi. These smaller hot tubs usually use only one heat pump and blower and use 110V of electricity, which means they tend to be energy-efficient and carry lower operational costs compared to larger spas.
Keep in mind that 2 person hot tubs will include 30 to 40 jets or less, but this is usually appropriate for just two people since each seat will contain 15 to 20 jets. For 2 and 3 person hot tubs, you can opt for corner (triangular), square, or round shaped spas.
4 Person Hot Tubs
4 person hot tubs are one of the most popular sizes, since they accommodate more family members and friends while also remaining fairly energy efficient. Most 4 person hot tubs contain just one heat pump and blower, and most will use 110V of electricity (but make sure to check with the make and model to be certain). 4 person hot tubs are perfect for small families or couples that want to host guests.
Many 4 person hot tubs will have at least 50 to 60 jets, which means up to 20 jets per person. You can consider round, square, rectangular, or even diamond or clover-shaped hot tubs when opting for this mid-sized 4-seater.
6 Person Hot Tubs
The 6 person hot tub approaches the larger variety of jacuzzi spas, hovering between the mid-size and large hot tub range. These hot tubs are great for larger families or people who plan to accommodate and entertain multiple guests.
If operational costs are a concern for you, make sure to look into specs such as number of jets, water capacity, voltage, and number of heat pumps and blowers. Hot tubs that accommodate 6 or more people often use 220V of electricity and may use 2 heat pumps and blowers. Additionally, expect 60 or more jets for a 6 person hot tub. As a rule of thumb, the more electricity the hot tub requires to run, the more it will cost you monthly. If you are looking for a larger hot tub while saving money, look for 6 person models that are energy-efficient and use 110V rather than 220V.
7 and 8 Person Hot Tubs
The largest hot tubs on the market will accommodate 7 to 8 people, or even more! These hot tubs often contain more than 70 jets and use 2 pumps with at least 1 blower. While they require more energy to run and keep the water heated, they are great for large families or households that like to entertain. Make sure to note the exact dimensions of the hot tub you are looking at before purchasing, as these 7 to 8 seaters often require extra space to install. We will explain how to measure the space for your hot tub below.
Energy Efficiency Considerations
One consideration related to hot tub sizes that many homeowners overlook when purchasing a new hot tub is energy efficiency. In addition to upfront installation costs, homeowners are also responsible for the cost of operating the hot tub day to day. These costs will come in the form of monthly energy and utility bills.
As a general rule, larger hot tubs will cost more to operate. This is due to energy consumption, water capacity, and maintenance requirements. The size and amount of heat pumps and the quality of the hot tub’s insulation are among the biggest factors that impact energy efficiency.
Larger hot tubs that seat 6 to 8 people tend to require two heat pumps to keep water hot effectively. They also usually use 220V of electricity, which means they will use more energy compared to smaller models. In terms of water capacity, large hot tubs hold 30 percent more water on average compared to mid-size hot tubs. This means that they require more energy to keep water hot.
In order to keep energy costs to a minimum, look for hot tubs with great insulation. Certain highly-rated hot tub brands provide superior insulation and energy-efficient models designed to keep energy costs down. If you are looking for a larger hot tub, be sure to ask a professional whether it comes in models that require less electricity to operate.
Measuring Space for Your Hot Tub Installation
Before choosing between hot tub sizes and preparing for installation, be sure to measure the space in your yard where you plan to install the hot tub. Measure the area by length, width, and height. Make sure there are no blockages on any ends – such as overhead foliage or outdoor patio furniture – when you jot down your measurements. Leave an extra foot of space on each end to ensure people will be able to safely and comfortably enter and exit the hot tub. This extra space will also allow your hot tub cover to lift off of the spa when it is not in use. It’s also not a bad idea to have a back-up space in mind, in the event that your installer cannot place the hot tub in your preferred location.
Moving Forward with Installation
Once you have your dimensions written down, pick a hot tub size and shape that you prefer. Browse different hot tub materials to get a sense for the type of hot tub you want to buy. Then, call three to four local hot tub professionals to get installation quotes. Modernize recommends that homeowners compare multiple quotes before hiring a contractor and starting any home improvement project. This can help you ensure you are getting the best contractor and best price for the job.
When you’re ready, Modernize’s network of hot tub professionals can provide you with quotes so you can get a better idea of what you will pay for the hot tub installation.
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