Scissor Lift Sizes: Dimensions and Capacity Chart
Scissor lift size, explained by capacity, lifting height, platform size and garage space, with three lifts as examples.
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On a Saturday morning, with a car up on stands for a brake job and the creeper rolling under the frame, the question is not how high a lift can go in theory, but how high it can go in this garage, under this car, without hitting the ceiling. Scissor lift size is the set of figures that answers that question: capacity, lifting height, platform size and the space the lift needs when it is parked. This guide explains those figures from the listings.
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Below: capacity, height, platform size and garage space, with three lifts as examples.
| # | Product | Shop Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  KT-X78 8000 lbs Scissor Lift | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  Albott 5000 lb Portable Car Lift for Home Garage | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  MAXSA 7000 LBS Portable Car Lift | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
KT-X78 8000 lbs Scissor Lift
An 8000 lb scissor lift with a 39.37 inch maximum height, for the capacity and height step of sizing a lift to a garage and a vehicle.
Pros
- 8000 lb capacity, the highest here
- 39.37 inch maximum height, the highest here
- CE certified, with a 24V safety control circuit
- Lockable drive-up ramps and a mobile kit
Cons
- 1080.0 pounds, the heaviest here
- No ALI listing is stated
- No cycle time is stated
- No concrete or ceiling requirement is stated
Albott 5000 lb Portable Car Lift for Home Garage
A 5000 lb portable scissor lift with a 20.1 inch lifting height, for the capacity and height step of sizing a lift to a home garage.
Pros
- 5000 lb capacity for sedans, SUVs and light-duty vehicles
- Dual safety locking pins and mechanical locks
- Four wheels and wall-mount handles for storage
- Lifts in 25 to 30 seconds, per the listing
Cons
- Title states 20 inch height, bullets state 20.1 inches
- Each unit is about 99 lb, while the spec table lists 257.0 pounds
- No ALI listing is stated
- Slopes over 4 degrees are unsafe, per the listing
MAXSA 7000 LBS Portable Car Lift
A 7000 lb portable scissor lift with a 26.8 inch maximum height, for the capacity and height step of sizing a lift to a home garage.
Pros
- 7000 lb capacity for cars, SUVs and light trucks
- 26.8 inch maximum height
- Carbon steel frame stated
- Adjustable design for different vehicle sizes
Cons
- 30 days manufacturer warranty stated
- No safety certification or safety feature is stated
- No power source is stated
- No cycle time is stated
What scissor lift size means
Scissor lift size is not one number. It is the capacity, which states how much weight the lift can raise, the lifting height, which states how far the lift raises a vehicle, the platform size, which states the size of the platform and ramps the vehicle sits on, and the parked size, which states how much garage floor the lift takes up when it is not in use. A lift that fits is one where all four figures match the vehicle and the garage, not just one of them.
- Capacity: the weight the lift can raise, as stated in the listing.
- Lifting height: how far the lift raises a vehicle, as stated in the listing.
- Platform size: the size of the lift platform and ramps, as stated in the listing.
- Parked size: the size and weight of the lift itself, as stated in the listing.
Capacity, height and platform: the three lifts
| Lift | Capacity | Max height | Listed dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATRAX KT-X78 Lift | 8000 lbs | 39.37 inches | 78.0 x 66.0 x 11.0 inches |
| Albott 5000 lb Lift | 5000 lbs | 20.1 inches | 60.4 x 11.8 x 17.7 inches |
| Maxsa 7000 lb Lift | 7000 lbs | 26.8 inches | 70.87 x 14.76 x 8.86 inches |
The table uses the figures each listing states. Where a listing states two figures for the same thing, the review for that lift says which one this guide follows.
How to size a scissor lift to a garage: the checklist
- Check the vehicle weight and lift points. Read the owner manual for the vehicle weight and the lift points, and match the lift capacity to that weight.
- Check the lifting height against the work. Match the height to the work under the car, and to the ceiling above it.
- Check the lift footprint against the garage floor. Measure the floor space the lift needs, and the space it needs when parked.
- Check the power the lift needs. Read the label for the power the lift uses, and ask a licensed electrician for the circuit.
- Check the concrete and the surface. Albott states its lift should be used only on a flat, solid surface, and Maxsa states a suitable, stable surface, so follow the lift maker requirements.
- Never get under a vehicle on a jack alone. Use rated stands on solid, level ground, at the lift points the owner manual lists, before working under a car.
A scissor lift is not a jack, and a jack is not a stand. Never get under a vehicle that is held up by a jack alone. Use rated stands on solid, level ground, at the lift points the owner manual lists, before working under a car.
Check the lift's rated capacity against your heaviest vehicle, and its ceiling and concrete requirements (thickness and strength) before you buy. Install it exactly as the manufacturer specifies, use the mechanical locks before you go under, and look for ALI certification on the model. See the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI). Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Scissor lifts for a home garage
The lifts below handle the sizing step, giving the capacity, height and listed size to compare against a vehicle and a garage.
For the next step after sizing, see our guide on how to use a scissor lift.
FAQ: garage tools
What size scissor lift do I need?
Match the capacity to the vehicle weight, the height to the work and the ceiling, and the footprint to the garage floor. Check the owner manual and the lift listing before buying.
How high does a scissor lift go?
It depends on the lift. The lifts in this guide state maximum heights of 20.1 inches, 26.8 inches and 39.37 inches. Check the height against the ceiling before buying.
Can a scissor lift hold an SUV?
It depends on the vehicle weight and the lift capacity. Albott states its lift for sedans, SUVs and light-duty vehicles, Maxsa states its lift for cars, SUVs and light trucks, and KATRAX states its lift for cars, SUVs and light trucks. Check the vehicle weight against the stated capacity before lifting.
Do I need a special power supply for a scissor lift?
It depends on the lift. KATRAX states 110V power, while the other listings in this guide state no power source, so check the label for the power the lift uses. Ask a licensed electrician for the circuit, and do not wire a lift circuit yourself.
Can I use a scissor lift on a slope?
On the listings here, Albott states that slopes over 4 degrees are unsafe and that its lift should be used only on a flat, solid surface, and Maxsa states to use its lift only on a suitable, stable surface. KATRAX states no surface rule, so check the lift maker requirements before lifting on anything but flat, solid ground.
What is the difference between a scissor lift and a jack?
A scissor lift raises a vehicle on a platform for underbody work. A jack lifts one end of a vehicle briefly, and it is not a stand. Never get under a vehicle on a jack alone.
Related: best automotive scissor lift, scissor lift vs two post lift, clearance for a car lift and the car lifts hub.
