Rabbit Space Calculator: Is Your Setup Big Enough?

The UK's Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) recommends a minimum space of 3 × 2 × 1 meters (about 10 × 6 × 3 feet) for a pair of average-sized rabbits, indoors or out, with a shelter of at least 1.8 × 0.6 × 0.6 meters (6 × 2 × 2 feet) inside it. A hutch alone is never enough. Enter your enclosure's size below to compare.

The Minimum at a Glance

RWAF minimum space for a pair of average-sized rabbits
	Meters	Feet
Whole living space (length × width × height)	3 × 2 × 1	About 10 × 6 × 3
Floor area	6 square meters	About 60 square feet
Shelter inside it	1.8 × 0.6 × 0.6	6 × 2 × 2

The RWAF calls this a minimum, whether rabbits live indoors or outdoors, and says a hutch should never be the main accommodation. Other welfare guidance, such as the Scottish Government's, gives slightly different run sizes, so treat the minimum as a starting point and give more if you can.

Why Rabbits Need This Much Room

Rabbits need to hop, run, jump and stand up on their back legs without touching the roof. They are most active at dawn and dusk, often when owners aren't around to let them out, so the space they can use all the time matters more than occasional playtime. Rabbits are also social and should live with at least one other rabbit; see bonding two rabbits.

What Counts as Space

Counts: a shelter or hutch permanently joined to a run, a rabbit-proofed room, or a large pen your rabbits can use day and night.
Doesn't count: a run they are only put in for a few hours, or a garden they visit now and then.
Height: rabbits should be able to stand up fully; about 3 feet (1 meter) suits average-sized rabbits.
Shelter: a dry, draft-free shelter with room for both rabbits to lie stretched out, plus hiding places.

For indoor rabbits, see indoor rabbit setup.

Building a Bigger Setup

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Many owners join a large run to a shelter or shed, or use modular pen panels indoors. Add tunnels and hides so rabbits can explore and feel safe, and a tape measure to check the result.

When You Need More

The RWAF minimum is for a pair of average-sized rabbits. Large and giant breeds, and groups of three or more, need more room, both in floor area and height. Ask a rabbit-savvy vet or a rabbit rescue for advice on your rabbits.

Outdoor setups also need to be secure against foxes and other predators, sheltered from weather, and shaded in summer. See rabbits as companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What owners ask about rabbit space.

How much space do two rabbits need?

The RWAF recommends at least 3 × 2 × 1 meters (about 10 × 6 × 3 feet) for a pair of average-sized rabbits, available all the time.

Is a hutch enough for a rabbit?

No. The RWAF says a hutch should never be the main accommodation. It can be the shelter within a much larger permanent space.

How big should the shelter be?

The RWAF suggests at least 1.8 × 0.6 × 0.6 meters (6 × 2 × 2 feet), inside the larger space.

Does free-roaming time count?

Only space your rabbits can use at all times counts toward the minimum. Extra playtime is a bonus.