How Wide Is a Single Wide Mobile Home? 12, 14 & 16 Feet — Complete Size Guide
Single wide mobile homes come in three widths — 12 feet (older models), 14 feet, and 16 feet (most common today). Here is everything you need to know about dimensions, floor plans, square footage, and how to measure your home accurately.
📋 Complete Single Wide Size Guide
📐 The quick answer: single wide mobile homes come in three widths — 12 feet, 14 feet, and 16 feet. The 12-foot width is found in older homes typically built before the 1970s. The 14-foot and 16-foot widths are the modern standard, with 16 feet being the most common width in homes built from the 1980s onward. Length varies from 40 to 80 feet depending on the model and year.
A standard single wide mobile home — these homes come in three widths: 12 feet (older vintage models), 14 feet, and 16 feet. The 16-foot width is the most common in homes built from the 1980s onward.
Single wide mobile homes are defined by their one-section construction — they are built as a single unit in a factory and transported to the site in one piece. The width is limited by what can be safely transported on a standard highway without an oversized load permit — which is why 14 and 16 feet are the industry standard widths. Anything wider requires special transport permits and enters double-wide territory.
Single Wide Mobile Home Widths: 12 Feet, 14 Feet, and 16 Feet
Single wide mobile homes come in three widths. The 12-foot width is the oldest — found in vintage homes from the 1950s and 1960s. The 14 and 16-foot widths became the standard from the 1970s onward, with 16 feet being the most common configuration in homes built from the 1980s through today.
The original single wide width — found in homes built in the 1950s and 1960s. Very narrow by today's standards. If you have a 12-foot wide home it is a vintage or antique mobile home. These homes have a very linear layout with minimal room width. Still livable but compact. Replacement parts and materials can be harder to source for 12-foot homes.
The mid-range standard width — more common in homes built from the 1970s through the 1980s. More spacious than a 12-foot home but still quite narrow compared to modern housing. A functional and affordable floor plan that works well for individuals or small families. Still widely found in mobile home parks across the country.
The most common single wide width built from the 1980s through today. The extra 2 feet makes a significant difference inside — rooms feel noticeably wider and the home can accommodate slightly more furniture and storage. If you are shopping for a single wide or trying to figure out what you have, chances are it is 16 feet wide.
💡 Quick Width Check: Not sure what width your home is? Measure the exterior from outside wall to outside wall at the widest point. Approximately 12 feet means you have an older vintage home. Approximately 14 feet is a standard mid-century model. Approximately 16 feet is the modern standard. Always measure the exterior — interior dimensions will be slightly less due to wall thickness.
Single Wide Mobile Home Lengths — 40 to 80 Feet
While width is fixed at 14 or 16 feet, length varies significantly. This is where you get the range of sizes and square footage options available in single wide homes. Here are the most common lengths:
| Width | Length | Approximate Sq Ft | Typical Bedrooms | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 ft | 40 ft | ~480 sq ft | 1–2 bed | Vintage home — very compact, pre-1970s |
| 12 ft | 50 ft | ~600 sq ft | 2 bed | Larger vintage model — narrow but functional |
| 14 ft | 40 ft | ~560 sq ft | 1–2 bed | Smallest common size — very compact |
| 14 ft | 52 ft | ~728 sq ft | 2 bed | Common older 14-foot model |
| 14 ft | 60 ft | ~840 sq ft | 2–3 bed | Solid size for a 14-foot home |
| 16 ft | 52 ft | ~832 sq ft | 2 bed | Entry level 16-foot model |
| 16 ft | 60 ft | ~960 sq ft | 2–3 bed | Most common single wide size overall |
| 16 ft | 72 ft | ~1,152 sq ft | 3 bed | Spacious single wide — comfortable 3 bedroom |
| 16 ft | 80 ft | ~1,280 sq ft | 3 bed | Largest common single wide — nearly 1,300 sq ft |
⚠️ Important Note on Square Footage: The square footage numbers above are approximate exterior calculations. Actual livable interior square footage will be slightly less due to wall thickness, typically 3–5% less than the exterior calculation. For exact square footage for insurance, appraisal, or sale purposes, use the interior measurement method described in our how to measure a mobile home.
How Big Is a Single Wide Mobile Home? Square Footage Guide
Single wide mobile homes range from approximately 560 square feet on the small end to around 1,300 square feet at the largest. Here is what you can realistically expect at different size points:
Under 700 Sq Ft
14-foot wide homes under 52 feet long. Typically 1–2 bedrooms with a combined living and dining area. Ideal for a single person or couple. Very affordable to heat and cool. These are the smallest functional single wides.
700 – 1,000 Sq Ft
The most common size range for single wides. Fits a 2–3 bedroom layout comfortably. A 16x60 at approximately 960 square feet is one of the most popular configurations ever built for mobile homes. Functional for a small family.
1,000 – 1,300 Sq Ft
Larger single wides — 16-foot homes 66 feet and longer. These fit a true 3-bedroom layout with a full kitchen, dedicated dining room, and decent living space. At 1,280 square feet a 16x80 is a genuinely comfortable home for a small family.
Single Wide Mobile Home Floor Plan Layouts
The narrow width of a single wide creates a distinctive floor plan style — rooms are arranged in a linear layout from one end of the home to the other. Here is how that typically looks:
| Layout Type | Description | Most Common In |
|---|---|---|
| End Bedroom | Master bedroom at one end, living and kitchen in the middle, secondary bedrooms at the other end | Most 2 and 3 bedroom single wides |
| Split Bedroom | Bedrooms at opposite ends of the home with living spaces in the center — provides more privacy | Longer 16-foot models, 60 ft and up |
| Open Concept | Kitchen, dining, and living area combined in one open space — makes the narrow width feel larger | Homes built 1990s and newer |
| Galley Kitchen | Kitchen runs along one wall in a galley style — maximizes counter space in the narrow width | 14-foot homes and older models |
🏠 Design Reality: The 14 or 16-foot width means rooms in a single wide are narrower than rooms in a traditional house. A 16-foot wide home has interior rooms approximately 12–14 feet wide after wall thickness. This is workable and comfortable — but furniture arrangement matters more than in a wider home. Longer, lower-profile furniture works better than tall and wide pieces.
How to Measure Your Single Wide Mobile Home
Whether you are calculating square footage for insurance, figuring out if a piece of furniture will fit, or determining what size carport or addition you need — knowing how to measure your home accurately is essential.
Measuring a single wide mobile home — use a 100-foot tape measure for length and a standard tape for width. Always measure the exterior dimensions for official width and square footage calculations.
Measuring Width
Measure from the outside of one exterior wall to the outside of the opposite exterior wall at the widest point of the home. Do not measure from inside — interior dimensions are smaller due to wall thickness. Your measurement should come out to approximately 14 feet or 16 feet. If you get something slightly different (like 15'8") that is normal — nominal dimensions are not always exact to the inch.
Measuring Length
Measure from the outside of one end wall to the outside of the other end wall. A 100-foot tape measure makes this much easier than trying to use a standard 25-foot tape measure in multiple segments. For a 16x80 home you need at least 80 feet of measuring tape to get an accurate one-pass measurement.
💡 Pro Tip: For measuring long single wide homes, a measuring wheel is faster and more accurate than pulling a tape measure 80 feet by yourself. Walk the length of the home and read the distance off the wheel — done in 10 seconds. Our how to measure a mobile home walks through every measurement you might need step by step.
📏 Shop Measuring Tools — Get Accurate Dimensions Fast
The right tools make measuring your single wide quick, easy, and accurate — shipped directly to your door
Measuring Wheel
The fastest way to measure the length of a single wide. Walk the perimeter and read the distance — far easier than pulling a tape measure solo on an 80-foot home. Professional accuracy in seconds.
Shop Measuring Wheel →100 Ft Tape Measure
A standard 25-foot tape is not long enough for most single wides. A 100-foot tape measure lets you measure the full length of any single wide in one pass — no awkward segments or math required.
Shop 100 Ft Tape Measure →Interior vs Exterior Dimensions — What's the Difference?
This trips up a lot of mobile home owners. The width of your home is measured exterior to exterior — but the interior is smaller. Here is why it matters:
| Home Width | Exterior Width | Approximate Interior Width | Wall Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 ft Home | 12'0" | ~11'2" to 11'4" | 4–5 inches per side |
| 14 ft Home | 14'0" | ~13'2" to 13'4" | 4–5 inches per side |
| 16 ft Home | 16'0" | ~15'2" to 15'4" | 4–5 inches per side |
The practical takeaway — when shopping for furniture, appliances, or planning an interior renovation, always measure the interior walls not the exterior. A 16-foot wide home does not have 16-foot wide rooms. Interior room widths depend on the floor plan and interior wall placement but are always less than the exterior width.
⚠️ For Insurance and Appraisal Purposes: Most lenders and insurance companies want the exterior dimensions for official square footage calculations. For selling purposes, the NADA mobile home valuation uses exterior dimensions. Always clarify which measurement is being requested before you measure.
Can You Add On to a Single Wide to Make It Bigger?
Yes — and it is more common than you might think. Adding an addition to a single wide is one of the most popular ways mobile home owners increase their living space without buying a new home. Common additions include:
Room Addition
A stick-built room addition attached to the side or end of the home. Adds permanent square footage and can be built to match the home's exterior. Requires a permit in most areas and a properly engineered connection to the home's frame.
Sunroom or Enclosed Porch
One of the most popular and cost-effective additions for single wides. A sunroom added along the full length of the home can add 150–300 square feet of additional living space at a fraction of the cost of a full room addition.
Attached Garage
Adding an attached garage to one end of the home is a popular upgrade that adds both storage and living value. Requires proper engineering to connect the garage structure to the mobile home's frame without compromising the home's structural integrity.
A single wide mobile home with an enclosed sunroom addition — adding a sunroom along the side of the home is one of the most affordable ways to significantly increase living space in a single wide.
💡 Addition Tip: Before adding on to a single wide, check your mobile home park rules if you are in a park — many parks restrict what can be attached to the home. If you are on private land, check with your county building department for permit requirements. An addition that is not permitted can create significant problems when you try to sell.
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