How to measure for a hot tub cover

Here is a guide that will help you measure your spa or hot tub cover so that your new one will fit perfectly. Even if a cover manufacturer has your spa on file, take the time to measure and be sure.

Measuring your Spa
Regardless of the shape your spa, you should measure from lip to lip, or the outside dimension of the acrylic which is the same as lip to lip. After you have a lip to lip measurement, add 1" to both the length and the width. This will give you a 1/2" of play all around your spa cover.

Skirt Measurement
The skirt is the flap that hangs from the bottom of your cover. The skirt is really just cosmetic but if not measured correctly can cause some problems because if it is too long it will bunch and push your spa cover up. If you have a wood rail as in the picture above measure from the top of the wood rail to the top of your spa acrylic. If anything you want to be a little short rather than long so the skirt does not bunch. If you do not have a wood rail then you want to measure from the top of the spa to the bottom of the spa lip and add 1/2".

Radius
This is the one that makes everyone worried. As the diagram shows the easiest way to measure a radius is with a carpenter square. The dimension needed is from the start of the bend to the imaginary point of the square if the tub was actually square. Rule of thumb is smaller is safer than larger. The smaller the radius the more square the corner of the hot tub cover.

Square cover
The square hot tub cover is the easiest cover to measure, just measure your outside lip to lip, and add 1" to each dimension. The only other dimension you will need is the skirt length.

Rectangle cover
The same as the square spa cover, but make sure you request the fold direction you require. Most companies will by default cut the longer of the two sides in half.

Square or Rectangle with Radius Corners
Follow the square and rectangle spa cover procedure and add the radius measurement.

Round
The round spa cover is easy to measure as well. You only need the lip to lip measurement, if your old cover is measurable just measure across the seam. Remember to add 1" of play. The only other measurement needed is the skirt length.

Octagon
For the octagon spa cover measure from lip to lip add 1" of play. Also, measure one panel of the octagon from point to point. The only other measurement needed is the skirt length.

Ellipse or Special Shapes
Most of these covers will require a template provided by you to complete your cover properly. This would include spas with speaker bumps, waterfalls, or cut outs for rails or controls.

Hot Tub or Spa Cover Lifter Hinge
Make sure when ordering your spa cover that it has a hot tub or spa cover lifter hinge, not all covers are made with this and if not requested present or future spa cover lifter will not work with your cover.