How to Measure BBQ Grill for Cover | Get the Right Fit

Measure the grill’s full outer width, depth, and height with the lid closed, including fixed side shelves, handles, knobs, and wheels that stick out.

Buying a grill cover without measuring first is a gamble you’ll probably lose. A cover that’s too small won’t protect your investment, and one that’s too large flaps around in the wind. The fix is simpler than you think: grab a tape measure and take three basic dimensions. Whether you’re covering a gas grill on the patio or a built-in model in an outdoor kitchen, the method stays the same.

What Three Measurements Do You Need?

You need three numbers: width, depth, and height. Each one has specific rules about what to include so you don’t end up with a cover that barely fits.

• Width: Measure left to right across the widest point of the grill. If the side shelves or side burners don’t fold down, include them in this number.
• Depth: Measure front to back at the deepest point. Include protruding handles, control knobs, and rear vents or overhangs.
• Height: Measure from the ground up to the highest point of the closed lid. Include wheels or casters if your grill sits on them.

Lowe’s guides shoppers through this exact sequence, noting that the height runs from the ground to the top of the closed lid. Coverstore and Classic Accessories follow the same structure, so you can trust this approach regardless of which cover brand you end up buying.

Measuring Steps That Get It Right

Work through these steps in order, and you’ll have everything you need to match a cover correctly.

Step 1: Close the lid. Measure the grill in the same configuration it will be in under the cover. An open lid adds several inches of height that won’t exist when the cover is on.

Step 2: Measure the width first. Stretch your tape measure from the far-left edge to the far-right edge. If your grill has side shelves that fold down, decide now whether they’ll stay up or fold down under the cover — then measure accordingly. Fixed side shelves and side burners are always part of the width.

Step 3: Measure the depth. Run the tape from the front of the grill to the back. This is where people commonly miss things. Those handles, knobs, and rear vents all add inches, and they need to fit under the cover. If a chimney or exhaust cap sticks up and back, include that too.

Step 4: Measure the height. Start at the floor and run the tape straight up to the tallest point of the closed grill — usually the center of the lid. Don’t forget the wheels. A grill with casters sits several inches higher than one without, and a cover that’s too short in height will leave the wheels exposed.

Step 5: Note the installed surface. For built-in grills, measure height to the countertop rather than to the ground, since the base sits inside cabinetry. If your freestanding grill rests on a deck mat, measure from that surface, not the deck boards beneath it.

How Much Space Should the Cover Have?

Once you have your three measurements, don’t buy a cover that matches them exactly. A small allowance is worth building in.

A cover that fits too tightly can compress protruding components like knobs and handles, and it leaves little room for air to circulate. Slightly oversized covers go on and off more easily, fit over irregularities, and handle the natural swelling of materials from sun and moisture. A couple of inches of slack across the width and depth, and a bit more in height, usually works well.

For a freestanding grill on wheels, the cover should reach at least to the top of the wheels. A cover that stops short exposes the casters to rain and dirt, which defeats much of its purpose.

The Mistakes That Ruin the Fit

Most ill-fitting covers trace back to a handful of repeat errors. Knowing them ahead of time keeps you from repeating them.

• Measuring only the grill box. The cooking chamber is the obvious part, but handles, knobs, side burners, and chimney caps all need to fit under the cover.
• Measuring with the lid open. This adds false height and can lead you to buy a cover that’s too tall and baggy.
• Trusting the nominal grill size. A “4-burner” grill tells you nothing about its actual dimensions. Brands shape grills differently, so the name on the box doesn’t translate to a cover size.
• Forgetting the wheels. Casters add real height, and covers sized for the grill body alone will sit too high.

Once you have your measurements, you can shop with confidence. If you’re also weighing which grill to buy in the first place, our tested roundup of barbeque grills with covers compares top models that bundle both together.

Take your time with the tape measure, write down all three numbers, and add a small allowance when you pick the cover. That’s the whole formula for a cover that fits right, goes on easily, and keeps your grill protected through whatever weather comes next.