An elongated tub is a bathtub longer than the standard 60-inch alcove model, with most versions running 66 to 72 inches end to end. The extra 6 to 12 inches let an adult soak with legs stretched instead of knees bent. Remodelers reach for them when a bathroom has spare wall space and the owner wants room for two bathers or for someone tall.
What size is an elongated tub?
Length separates an elongated tub from a standard one. The common sizes are:
Extra Length Bathtub Buying Guide: Sizing, Fit, and What to Check First
- Standard alcove tub: 60 inches long, 30 to 32 inches wide.
- Elongated alcove tub: 66 inches long, 32 to 36 inches wide.
- Elongated drop-in or undermount: 66 to 72 inches long.
- Freestanding soaking tub: 67 to 72 inches long, often 31 to 35 inches wide.
- Two-person or extra-long tub: 72 to 80 inches long.
Width and depth matter as much as length. A tub 72 inches long with a shallow basin gives less comfort than a 66-inch model with 17 inches of water depth. Measure soak depth from the overflow to the drain.
Will an elongated tub fit your bathroom?
Measure before you shop. Most bathrooms lose an elongated tub not on length but on clearance.
- Measure wall to wall along the tub wall. Subtract 1 inch for framing and wiggle room.
- Check the toilet. You want about 21 inches of clear floor in front of the bowl and 15 inches from the tub edge to the toilet center line.
- Check doors. A 66-inch tub needs room to swing into place, so measure the doorway, hallway turn, and stairwell.
- Mark the drain and overflow location. Moving them means opening the floor and rerouting plumbing.
- Check your water heater. A 70-gallon fill drains most 40-gallon tanks before the tub is full.
Clearance numbers that decide the fit
Bath design guidelines call for 21 inches of clear floor in front of a tub, 15 inches between the tub edge and a toilet, and 30 inches of clear space at the tub entry. Swapping a 60-inch tub for a 66-inch model takes 6 inches from the longest free wall in the room. In a 5 by 8 foot bathroom, that space often comes out of the vanity or linen storage.
Types of elongated tubs
Alcove tubs
An alcove tub sits between three walls. This is the cheapest way to gain length because the surround doubles as the waterproofing. A 66-inch alcove tub needs a rough opening around 66 by 32 inches plus a framed apron.
Drop-in and undermount tubs
These drop into a deck or platform. They allow 72-inch lengths without three finished walls, but the deck adds 6 to 12 inches to the footprint. Undermount versions hide the rim and make wiping the edge a short job.
Freestanding tubs
A freestanding tub stands alone and needs no surround, which saves wall space in an odd-shaped room. It also needs a floor-mounted or wall-mounted filler and a drain that reaches the floor below. Models in the 67 to 72 inch range are the ones most people picture when they search for an elongated tub.
Elongated tub vs standard tub
- Length: 66 to 72 inches against 60 inches.
- Water: 60 to 80 gallons to the overflow against 40 to 50 gallons.
- Price: an elongated acrylic tub costs $100 to $400 more than the same tub in 60 inches.
- Fit: a standard tub drops into any 60-inch alcove. An elongated tub needs a longer wall and, often, new plumbing.
- Comfort: tall bathers and couples gain the most. A solo bather under 5 foot 8 inches may not notice a difference.
Materials and cost
- Acrylic: $400 to $1,200 for an elongated alcove model. Light, warm to the touch, and repairable.
- Fiberglass: $300 to $900. Cheaper, thinner, and more prone to flex.
- Cast iron: $1,500 to $4,000. Holds heat, weighs 300 to 500 pounds, and may need floor reinforcement.
- Solid surface or cultured stone: $1,000 to $3,500. Repairable matte finish with more grip than acrylic.
- Freestanding stone or resin: $800 to $5,000. The added cost sits in the finish and the filler hardware.
Hot water and floor weight questions
An elongated tub holds 60 to 80 gallons, so a 40 or 50 gallon tank runs cold before the tub fills. A 75-gallon tank, a tankless unit rated for two fixtures, or a thermostatic valve solves the problem. Weight matters too. A cast iron tub full of water can top 1,000 pounds, which may need a joist check on a second floor.
Frequently asked questions
Are elongated tubs worth it?
They earn their keep if you are tall, you soak with a partner, or the bathroom has 6 inches of unused wall. Otherwise the extra water, cost, and plumbing work buy little.
Will an elongated tub fit in a small bathroom?
Sometimes. A 5 by 8 foot bathroom can take a 66-inch tub if the vanity shrinks or moves. Below that size, a 60-inch tub or a corner model is the better call.
What is the difference between an elongated tub and a soaking tub?
Elongated describes length. Soaking describes depth. A tub can be both, and the best models for tall bathers are 66 to 72 inches long with 15 to 18 inches of soak depth.
Can I replace a 60-inch tub with an elongated one?
Only if the alcove wall is longer than 60 inches after framing. Most 60-inch alcoves are framed tight, so the swap means moving a wall or choosing a freestanding tub instead.
Buying checklist
- Measure alcove length, width, and door swing before you order.
- Confirm the drain and overflow location matches the new tub, or budget for plumbing.
- Match the tub to your hot water supply, not just the bathroom size.
- Check weight against floor framing if the tub is cast iron or stone.
- Pick a material you can clean without harsh abrasives.