How to Determine the Right Walk-In Cooler Size for Your Business

Choosing the right walk-in cooler size is crucial for efficiency, cost savings, and food safety. Oversize it, and you waste energy and money. Go too small, and you risk spoilage, crowding, or inefficiency. This guide helps you get it right with practical steps and size recommendations.

Key Factors in Sizing a Walk-In Cooler

1. Calculate Storage Volume

Start by estimating the total cubic feet of product you need to store. Multiply the number of items by their average size. Don’t forget to include room for air circulation and shelving.

Pro Tip: Add 25–75% buffer space to allow airflow, access, and future growth.

Sizing formula:

Required Volume = Total Product Volume × 1.25 to 1.75

2. Consider Inventory Turnover

High-turnover operations need less long-term storage but more access space. Low-turnover businesses need more volume to avoid spoilage.

3. Account for Workflow & Shelving

Include aisle width (at least 36 inches), shelving needs, and how products are accessed. Heavy items need stronger shelves and open layouts.

Common Walk-In Cooler Sizes by Application

Business Type Recommended Size Notes
Food Trucks / Small Cafés 6’ x 6’ x 8’ For low-volume cold storage
Small Restaurants 8’ x 8’ x 8’ Most common starting size
Grocery or Butcher Shop 10’ x 10’ or 10’ x 14’ Handles bulk product with moderate turnover
High-Volume Storage 12’ x 20’+ For hotels, commissaries, warehouses

Planning for Growth

Adding 10–20% capacity helps future-proof your investment. Modular coolers or flexible shelving layouts allow for easy reconfiguration as your needs grow.Need help choosing the right size?

We custom-build walk-in coolers to match your exact needs—whether it’s saving energy, maximizing space, or upgrading old systems.