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Free elevator door timing calculator for facilities managers and accessibility consultants. Compare configured door dwell time to an estimated minimum for wheelchair, walker, and low-vision users — with pass, borderline, or fail status. Pair with our wheelchair doorway width calculator for landing clearances.
Last updated: May 24, 2026
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Required Minimum Time
5.7s
Timing Buffer
-0.2s
Compliance Status
Fail
Door timing appears insufficient. Increase dwell time and reassess with real-user flow observations.
Use this as a planning aid; confirm final settings against local elevator code requirements.
We can build and embed a custom version of Elevator Door Timing Calculator for your brand and workflow.
Answers: is my elevator door open long enough for the slowest realistic user under actual lobby traffic?
Sum of mobility base, doorway width adjustment, and traffic load — floored at 2.0 s in this model.
Positive buffer means extra margin; negative means doors likely close before safe passage completes.
Three-tier status for prioritizing elevator service calls and accessibility audits.
Default: 36" door, 5.5 s dwell, wheelchair, medium traffic → minimum 5.7 s (5.0 + 0.3 + 0.4), buffer -0.2 s, status Fail. Increase dwell to 6.7 s for Pass (+1.0 s buffer).
Required Minimum
5.7 s
Timing Buffer
-0.2 s
Status
Fail
| Profile | Base | Min. @ 36" medium traffic | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard ambulation | 3.0 s | 3.7 s | Baseline walking speed through door |
| Wheelchair user | 5.0 s | 5.7 s | Approach, align, and roll-through time |
| Walker / cane assisted | 6.0 s | 6.7 s | Highest base — device handling + stability |
| Low-vision user | 4.5 s | 5.2 s | Orientation and hazard detection at threshold |
| Width band | Adjustment | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 32" (narrow) | +0.6 s | More alignment maneuvers at tight openings |
| 33"–36" | +0.3 s | Common cab door — slight maneuvering buffer |
| 37"–43" | 0 s | Neutral band in this model |
| ≥ 44" (wide) | −0.2 s | Wider clear width can reduce alignment time |
| Traffic | Adjustment | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 0 s | Minimal door interference |
| Medium | +0.4 s | Occasional cross-traffic at threshold |
| High | +0.9 s | Lobby rush — people block entry/exit |
This is a practical planning model — not a replacement for ASME A17.1 shop drawings or AHJ inspection. It helps you ask whether current dwell is in the right ballpark before paying for a service visit.
Required minimum (s) = max(2, base + width adj. + traffic adj.)Timing buffer (s) = configured dwell − required minimumPass if buffer ≥ 1.0 · Borderline if 0–0.9 · Fail if < 0Default breakdown: 5 + 0.3 + 0.4 = 5.7 s minimum vs 5.5 s dwell.
Minimum 5.7 s · buffer -0.2 s · Fail. Many buildings run 5.0–5.5 s — this shows why wheelchair users report doors closing early. Set 6.7 s+ for Pass.
Minimum 6.2 s · buffer -1.2 s · Fail. Increase dwell by at least 1.2 s or manage lobby queueing.
Minimum 5.7 s · buffer +1 s · Pass. Modest increase from 5.5 s fixes default wheelchair scenario.
Minimum 4.8 s · buffer +1.7 s · Pass. Wider opening (−0.2 s) and low traffic (0 s) lower the bar.
Minimum 7 s (6.0 + 0.6 + 0.4) · buffer -1 s · Fail. Low-vision at 5.5 s on 36" medium is Borderline (+0.3 s buffer).
Share with facilities teams, accessibility consultants, and property managers reviewing elevator service contracts.
Suggested hashtags: #Accessibility #Elevators #ADA #Facilities #InclusiveDesign