Guidelines for sauna dimensions
The most important thing in sauna dimensioning is to start from your own needs. If you are planning a sauna for yourself or your family, a smaller sauna is usually enough. If the sauna will be used by a larger group, more space is naturally required.
There are also standard benchmarks that are useful in the planning stage. For example, the Finnish construction site Rakentaja.fi provides the following recommended values. On their site you can also find additional information about Finnish insulation requirements and other technical details.
- Sauna height should be 2000–2200 mm (a higher ceiling increases unnecessary energy use)
- Each person should have at least 600 mm of bench length
- Bench depth should be 450–900 mm (narrower for sitting, deeper for lying down)
- Foot bench depth should be 300–400 mm
- Distance between the top bench and the ceiling should be 1000–1200 mm
- Floor space should be about 1 m² per person
The effect of heater type on sauna dimensions
The choice of heater is an essential part of sauna dimensioning. Electric and wood-burning sauna heaters differ both in space requirements and in practice. A wood-burning sauna stove requires more space, partly because of safety clearances, while an electric sauna heater makes it possible to design a more compact sauna that heats up quickly. The choice of sauna heater therefore strongly influences what the optimal sauna size and layout will be.
- Electric sauna heaters are generally more compact. Their safety clearances are smaller than those of wood-burning sauna stoves, and they usually heat up faster. Electric sauna heaters are particularly suitable for smaller saunas, as long as the power output matches the room volume. Keep in mind that if the sauna has many glass surfaces or heat-storing materials, additional power may be required.
- Wood-burning sauna stoves need a lot of air to burn properly, so the sauna must have effective ventilation. For fire safety, larger clearances must be left around the stove, which increases the minimum size of the sauna. Wood-burning sauna stoves also take longer to heat up, and in larger spaces they require more wood and time to reach a comfortable temperature. In return, they provide the traditional sauna atmosphere – the smell of wood, soft steam, and authentic heat.
Sauna size – volume and cubic meter calculation
When planning a sauna, calculating its volume is crucial. The sauna’s size, expressed in cubic meters, determines among other things what kind of sauna heater power is required. A correctly sized sauna heater ensures that the sauna heats up efficiently and provides pleasant steam without unnecessary energy consumption.
The volume is calculated with a simple formula:
length × width × height = sauna volume (m³)
For example: 1.5 m × 2.0 m × 2.0 m = 6 m³
Rules of thumb for sauna size by number of users
- Two-person sauna
- A two-person sauna is usually about 6 m³. This provides space for two people to sit comfortably. The required heater power is about 6 kW, depending on the sauna’s materials and possible glass surfaces.
- Mondex offers 6 kW and 6.6 kW models that are perfect for small saunas. Here you can read more about sauna heaters for small saunas!
- Four-person sauna
- A four-person family or small group of friends needs a slightly larger sauna. The suitable volume is about 8–10 m³. This provides enough space for four people to sit comfortably and still have room for their legs. The sauna heater power requirement is typically 8–9 kW, and it’s important to ensure sufficient bench depth in the design.
- Many of Mondex’s 6.6 kW sauna heaters are suitable for saunas up to 9 m³, and the mid-sized 9 kW models can heat saunas up to 15 m³.
- Six-person sauna
- A six-person sauna has a volume of around 15–20 m³. This allows space for several people at once and a pleasant sauna experience for larger groups. The required heater power is around 10.5 kW.
- Mondex’s largest sauna heaters easily cover even bigger saunas: the Tahko model is suitable for saunas up to 22 m³ and the Rakka model up to 25 m³.
Mondex’s sauna heater selector makes calculating sauna volume easy and helps you find exactly the right sauna heater for your sauna. Try the sauna heater selector!
Sauna Heater safety distances
When designing a sauna, it’s also important to take into account the sauna heater’s safety distances. These are the required clearances between the sauna heater and the sauna’s structures such as walls, ceiling, and benches. Safety distances ensure that the surrounding materials do not overheat and that the sauna remains safe to use.
Safety distances vary depending on the sauna heater model, so they must always be checked in the product’s installation manual. Wood-burning sauna stoves usually require larger clearances than electric sauna heaters, which means that the final sauna heater choice also influences the spatial design of the sauna. By planning with safety distances in mind, you can be sure the sauna will be functional, comfortable, and safe once the sauna heater is installed.
The right sauna heater completes the sauna experience
Sauna dimensions and sauna size have a decisive impact on what the sauna experience will be like. By designing the sauna according to the needs of its future users, choosing the right sauna heater, and considering safety distances already in the planning stage, you ensure that the sauna works exactly as intended. A correctly sized sauna is energy-efficient, safe, and provides the best possible steam whether for a couple, a family, or a larger group.
From Mondex’s sauna heater selection you’ll find models designed for different sauna sizes and uses. Explore the range and choose the perfect sauna heater for your sauna – and enjoy an authentic sauna experience for years to come.