Choosing the Right Yurt Size: 16, 20, 24 or 30 Feet?
Choosing a yurt size is one of the biggest decisions in your project. Go too small and the space may feel cramped once furniture, a stove and storage are in place. Go too large and you will spend more on the yurt, the platform and heating than you need to. This guide compares the four sizes we build – 16', 20', 24' and 30' – and helps you match the size to how you will really use the space.
How Yurt Size Is Measured
Yurts are sized by diameter. Because the floor is a circle, area grows quickly as the diameter increases: going from 16' to 20' adds more than 100 square feet, and going from 24' to 30' adds more than 250. Here is how our models compare:
| Model | Diameter | Floor area | Height to top of ring | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chocorua | 16' | 200 sq. ft. | 10' 2" | Studio, office, bunkhouse, rental unit |
| Whiteface | 20' | 314 sq. ft. | 10' 11" | Guest house, camp, ski cabana |
| Liberty | 24' | 452 sq. ft. | 12' 5" | In-law apartment, vacation home, studio |
| Washington | 30' | 706 sq. ft. | 13' 11" | Full-time home, classroom, commercial use |
Remember that the wall is a 7' lattice and the roof slopes up to the ring, so usable headroom is greatest in the middle and lower near the wall. Place beds, desks and storage near the wall and keep tall items and lofts toward the center.
Start with How You Will Use It
The best way to choose is to list what has to fit inside. Sketch a circle to scale on graph paper and draw in your bed, seating, table, stove (with its required clearances), kitchen counter and storage. You will quickly see which diameter works.
16' – The Chocorua
At 200 square feet, the Chocorua is perfect for a single purpose: a backyard office or art studio, a meditation room, a bunkhouse for kids or a simple rental unit. It holds a double or queen bed with a small seating area and a compact stove. It is the easiest yurt to heat and the least expensive to put on a platform. For full-time living, most people find it small unless they are comfortable living very simply.
20' – The Whiteface
The Whiteface is a popular all-rounder. Its 314 square feet comfortably fits a queen bed, a seating area around the stove and a kitchenette along the wall. It makes a great guest house, hunting or fishing camp, ski cabana or glamping rental, and a single person or couple can live in it year-round with careful planning.
24' – The Liberty
With 452 square feet and a ring height of more than 12 feet, the Liberty begins to feel like a small home. You can create a separate bedroom area, a full kitchen wall and a living space, and the extra height allows a sleeping or storage loft in the center. It includes heavier 2"x6" rafters as standard. The Liberty is a favorite for in-law apartments, vacation homes and yoga or massage studios.
30' – The Washington
Our largest model offers 706 square feet under a ceiling that rises to nearly 14 feet. It has room for a kitchen, a bathroom, one or two bedroom areas and an open living room, which makes it the usual choice for full-time family living. It also works well for classrooms, dance studios, cafes, retail shops and ski lodges.
Other Factors to Weigh
Heating
Larger yurts need more heat. A small stove that keeps a 16' yurt cozy will struggle in a 30' yurt. Insulation helps every size, but if you plan to rely on wood heat alone, a smaller yurt is easier to keep warm. See living in a yurt in winter.
Platform and site
The platform grows with the yurt, and so do lumber, footings and labor. A larger yurt also needs a larger level area on your site. Download the platform plans for the sizes you are considering and compare the materials.
Budget
A bigger yurt costs more up front, but the price per square foot usually drops as size increases. Factor in the platform, heating and furnishing too. Our yurt cost guide lists every line item.
Permits
Some towns have size thresholds that change how a structure is reviewed. Ask your town early; our permit and zoning guide explains what to ask.
Future plans
Think five years ahead. Will a family grow? Will a studio become a rental? Sometimes two smaller yurts connected by a hallway are more flexible than one large yurt, and they can be built in phases.
Common Sizing Mistakes
- Forgetting the stove. A wood stove needs clearance from the lattice wall and from furniture, plus space for a hearth and firewood. In a small yurt that can take a surprising share of the floor.
- Ignoring the door swing and walkways. Leave a clear path from the door to the center of the yurt and to each area you use daily.
- Planning tall furniture against the wall. The wall is 7' high and the roof slopes down toward it, so tall cabinets and bunk beds belong toward the center.
- Buying for guests you rarely have. A sofa bed or a loft can handle occasional visitors without paying for a larger yurt year-round.
- Choosing by price alone. The cheapest yurt is not a bargain if it does not fit how you live.
Quick Recommendations
- Office, studio or meditation space: 16'
- Guest house, camp or rental for two to four people: 20'
- Weekend home or in-law apartment: 24'
- Full-time home for a couple or small family: 24' or 30'
- Classroom, studio for groups or small business: 30'
Try Before You Decide
Nothing beats standing inside a yurt. A night at one of the places on our Stay in a WMY page will tell you a lot about how a given size feels. You can also browse the gallery to see each model in different settings.
Conclusion
Choose your yurt size by starting with the activities and furniture that need to fit, then weigh heating, the platform, budget, permits and your future plans. When you have narrowed it down, compare the models on the yurts page and price your favorite in our calculators.
Plan Your Yurt with White Mountain Yurts
Every White Mountain Yurt is hand-built in New Hampshire. Compare our 16' to 30' yurt models, see the standard and optional features, or price your yurt in the online calculators.