A storage cover protects a car only when it fits the vehicle and suits the place it will be stored. Use this guide to measure a classic or modern car, record the details a cover maker needs, and check fit before leaving the vehicle covered for a long period.
Gather tools and prepare the car
You will need a flexible tape measure long enough to span the car, a notepad or phone for recording measurements, and ideally a helper. A soft tape is useful around curved bodywork; a rigid tape can help with long horizontal runs, but avoid scratching paint with its metal end. If measuring alone, use masking tape to mark reference points and take care not to let a tape snap back against the finish.
Park on a level, hard surface with enough room to walk around the car. Put the transmission in Park or in gear, set the parking brake, and switch the engine off. Close the doors, hood, and trunk. Remove loose objects that change the cover’s outline, such as a temporary roof rack or antenna mast, unless you plan to leave them installed during storage.
Measure the vehicle in the configuration in which it will actually be covered. If you store a classic with its convertible top raised, measure it raised; if the cover will go on with the top folded, measure that configuration and confirm that the cover maker permits it. Do not measure a car while it is on a lift or with its suspension at an unusual height unless the cover will be used in that condition.
Before handling the paint, make sure the car and cover are clean and dry. Grit trapped between fabric and paint can cause scuffs when the cover moves. For long-term storage, follow the cover manufacturer’s instructions for surface preparation, ventilation, and how often to remove or inspect the cover.
Find the cover maker’s measurement method
There is no universal measurement set that every cover company uses. Many custom-cover makers ask for overall length, width, and height; some request extra dimensions or a specific tape route. Read the sizing chart or measuring guide for the exact cover line before starting. If its instructions differ from this general method, use the maker’s method and label each number as requested.
A standard length is usually measured from the foremost fixed body point to the rearmost fixed body point. Width may mean the widest body dimension, often across the mirrors or fender bulges, while some makers want body width with mirrors folded. Height is commonly measured from the ground to the highest fixed point, but roof accessories or antennas may need separate treatment. Confirm what the supplier includes in each dimension.
Write down the unit beside every number. Inches are common in U.S. listings, but some makers use feet, centimeters, or model-specific charts. Convert only after recording the original measurement, and check any conversion before ordering. Do not round a borderline result toward a smaller size; ask the maker which size is appropriate.
Measure overall length, width, and height
Length
- Place one end of the tape at the car’s foremost fixed point, typically the front bumper or the end of the body if it projects farther.
- Run the tape straight along the vehicle’s centerline to the rearmost fixed point, usually the back of the bumper or body.
- Keep the tape level and clear of the ground. A helper can hold the far end while you check the route from the side.
- Record the result and note anything that changes the endpoint, such as a nonstandard bumper, spare tire, or hitch.
Do not measure diagonally from a front corner to a rear corner; that produces a longer number and does not represent the car’s overall length. If a cover chart specifies bumper-to-bumper length, follow that wording even if the bumper is not the furthest body component.
Width
Width is especially easy to misread because the mirrors may or may not count. Check the cover instructions first. If the maker requests the widest point, identify it by sight and measure across the car from one outermost point to the matching point on the other side. Depending on the vehicle, that may be the mirrors, fender flares, tires, or bodywork. Keep the tape horizontal and use a helper to prevent it from sagging or rubbing the paint.
If the chart asks for body width with mirrors folded, fold them as they will be positioned when the cover is used. Note both mirror positions if they are power-folding or if one mirror is aftermarket. Do not substitute the width listed in a brochure unless the maker explicitly asks for a factory specification; published dimensions can use a different measurement convention.
Height
Measure vertically from the ground to the highest point that the cover must clear. A helper can hold a rigid tape or straightedge at the top while you read the ground reference. Keep the tape vertical rather than following the roof’s curve. Include a fixed roof rack, light bar, or other accessory if it will stay on the car under the cover. For a removable antenna, use the storage configuration you intend to maintain and check whether the maker expects it removed.
Measure on the same level surface as the other dimensions. Tire size and suspension changes can alter height, so a stock specification may not describe a modified car accurately. If the car has a raised suspension or tall tires, record that fact along with the measured height.
| Dimension | Typical route | Confirm with the maker |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Frontmost to rearmost fixed point | Whether bumpers, hitch, or spare tire count |
| Width | Across the widest point or specified body points | Whether mirrors are folded or included |
| Height | Ground to highest point to be covered | Whether accessories or a raised top count |
Record details that affect the fit
Numbers alone may not capture the car’s shape. Note the year, make, model, body style, and trim if known, then list changes that distinguish your vehicle from the factory version. Relevant examples include a custom front air dam, wider wheels or fender flares, a rear spoiler, a hood scoop, a roof rack, a roll bar, a continental kit, a bed cap, or an aftermarket bumper. Mention whether mirrors fold and whether the car has a raised or lowered suspension.
For a classic car, model-year changes can affect bumper shape, trim, and body length even when two cars look similar. A nominal model name may cover several body styles, such as coupe, sedan, wagon, convertible, or fastback. Select the exact configuration in the maker’s catalog and verify that the cover is listed for it. If the car has substantial custom bodywork, contact the cover maker with your measurements and clear photos of the front, rear, both sides, and roofline. Ask what information its fit team needs; avoid sending photos that reveal personal or identifying details you do not want to share.
For a truck or SUV, note accessories that protrude beyond the body, including a spare tire carrier, running boards, mirrors, bed-mounted equipment, and roof crossbars. A car cover pattern may not be designed for a truck’s bed or tall cab, even if the overall dimensions seem close. Choose a cover specifically listed for that vehicle type.
Choose a cover based on fit and storage conditions
Compare your measurements with the cover maker’s application chart and fit notes. A custom cover matched to the vehicle’s year and body style may account for mirrors, bumpers, and contours more closely than a universal cover. A universal or semi-custom cover can be a practical alternative when the exact fit is unavailable, but check its stated measurement range and where the elastic hems are intended to sit. A cover should not be so short that it leaves bumpers or body panels exposed, nor so long that excess fabric collects on the floor or catches around the wheels.
Fit is only one part of the decision. An indoor cover may prioritize a soft inner surface and dust protection, while an outdoor cover needs construction and fastening features intended for weather exposure. Neither label guarantees suitability for every climate or storage period. Read the product’s care and use instructions, including guidance about moisture, wind, ventilation, and whether the cover is safe for a particular paint finish. If a vehicle is stored outside, secure the cover only as directed; loose fabric can move against paint in wind.
Check whether the cover is designed for a car with an antenna, roof accessory, or convertible top. Some covers include a pocket or reinforcement for a specific protrusion; others require removing it. Do not cut a hole or alter a cover unless the maker authorizes that modification, since it can undermine weather resistance or the fit.
Check the fit before long-term storage
When the cover arrives, try it on a clean, dry car in a calm setting. Follow the maker’s instructions for orientation and fitting. Start at the end identified by the manufacturer, center the cover over the roof, and work it down evenly at the front and rear. Do not drag it across the paint or force the seams over an accessory.
Check that the hem reaches its intended position, the mirrors fit their pockets if provided, and the front and rear remain covered. Look for tight strain across a spoiler or bumper and for large loose areas that flap or rest on the ground. If the cover has straps or tie-downs, route and secure them as instructed. A cover that is difficult to put on, pulls hard at a seam, or cannot cover the car’s ends may be the wrong size or shape; stop and consult the supplier rather than stretching or modifying it.
Take a few minutes to inspect the covered car from all sides. Verify that the material does not rub sharply against sharp trim, antenna bases, or exposed hardware. Confirm the cover does not block access to a required battery disconnect or other storage equipment. Follow the product instructions for periodic inspection and removal, particularly after wet or windy weather. A cover is not a substitute for addressing leaks, condensation, or poor storage conditions.
Troubleshoot common measurement and fit problems
The chart puts the car between sizes. Recheck the tape route and the chart’s definitions, then ask the manufacturer whether to size up or down for that cover design. Fit varies by pattern, so a general rule about choosing the larger size can lead to excess material that flaps.
The cover is tight at one end. Check whether a bumper, spoiler, spare tire, or body modification was omitted. Confirm the cover is oriented correctly and intended for the exact body style. Do not pull harder on one corner; that can stress a seam or elastic edge.
The cover seems too wide or long. Verify that you did not include folded-out mirrors when the chart expects them folded, or measure along a diagonal. Also confirm the cover is for your car’s body style rather than a related model with a different roofline or overhang.
The listed factory dimensions differ from yours. Differences can result from accessories, modified suspension, tires, or measurement conventions. Use the maker’s requested method and report both the measured number and the modification. If the dimensions are far apart, repeat the measurement on level ground and get fit guidance before ordering.
There is no chart entry for a rare classic or custom build. Provide the measurements and configuration details requested by the maker and ask whether it can recommend a suitable pattern or a made-to-measure option. A close model-year match is not proof of a good fit when bumpers or bodywork have changed.
Measurement checklist before ordering
- Read the cover maker’s measurement instructions and sizing chart.
- Measure on level ground with the car in its storage configuration.
- Record length, width, and height using the maker’s definitions and units.
- Note mirror position, removable parts, accessories, and body modifications.
- Confirm the selected cover is intended for the car’s body style and storage setting.
- Ask the maker about borderline sizes or unusual dimensions before placing the order.
- Follow the cover’s care and inspection instructions once it is in use.
For a car stored through a season, keep the measurement notes with the cover’s care instructions. They make it easier to identify the right replacement if the vehicle changes or the original cover wears out.