different extension ladder lengths

Extension Ladder Chart

 


Below is an extension ladder chart showing a variety of extension ladder lengths and their corresponding maximum reach for their lengths. It also shows an overview of the distance the base should be placed from the wall and the highest point the ladder will reach when fully extended.

Extension Ladder Chart

Extension Ladder HeightMaximum Reach of Extension LadderDistance of Base Placement from WallHighest Point Ladder Will Touch
16 foot15 feet4 feet9 feet max.
20 foot19 feet5 feet9 to 13 feet
24 foot23 feet6 feet13 to 17 feet
28 foot27 feet7 feet17 to 21 feet
32 foot31 feet8 feet21 to 25 feet
36 foot34 feet9 feet25 to 28 feet
40 foot37 feet10 feet28 to 31 feet

extension ladder base placement from wall and height overlapExtension Ladder Sizes
Extension ladders range in length from 16 feet to 40 feet. Extension ladders, also known as non-self-supported or leaning ladders should extend a minimum distance of 3 feet past the edge they rest against but not more than 4 feet.

Extended Section Overlaps
Each section of a multi-section extension ladder must overlap the adjacent section by at least 1 to 3 feet for ladders up to 36 feet and 4 feet for 40 feet or longer extension ladders. For example, a 24 foot extension ladder will consist of two sections each 12 feet long, but the maximum extended length will be 21 feet, because the sections overlap by no less than 1-1/2 feet when the ladder is at maximum extension.

Extension Ladder Footing
extension ladder placement from wallExtension ladders should be at the proper height and angle for optimum safety and stability. When determining the proper working height and angle, the extended ladder should be set at a 4:1 ratio from the foot to the top support. And remember to always keep the extension ladder on a secure footing. Use leg levelers when needed.

Additional Resources
How to Calculate the Ladder Length Needed
For additional information about how to calculate the ladder length for extension ladders, see our How to Calculate the Ladder Length Needed article.

How to Place Extension Ladders
For additional information about where to place the ladder base of the extension ladder, see our How to Place Extension Ladders article.


About Sunset Ladder & Scaffold
Sunset Ladder and Scaffold rents and sells the safest and highest quality ladders, scaffolding and related products available since 1929. We rent and sell ALL types of ladders and scaffolding that the industry offers including our own American-made Sunset Ladder Co and EZ Lift™ brands.

5 thoughts on “Extension Ladder Chart

  1. I am working on my house and need to get an extension ladder. The area I will will be repairing is 14 feet up the side of the house. What size ladder do i need? For example: whats the highest feet the ladder will extend to. Ladder- storage or collapsed 16ft, fully extended 24 ft???
    Thanks

    1. I’m so sorry for the delay to your question. This blog is not monitored on a daily basis. Someone from Sunset Ladder should contact you soon. For a quicker response, please call (800) 660-1311 with any questions. Thank you.

  2. Wow! This can be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Ex-cellent. I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard work.

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