Braillito Maps · Accessibility guides
ADA counter height: 36 inches, on a section long enough to use
Under the 2010 ADA Standards, sales and service counters do not have to be low along their whole length. At least one counter of each type needs a section no higher than 36 inches, long enough for a wheelchair user to pull up beside it or in front of it, as deep as the rest of the counter top and with clear floor space next to it. Check-out aisles have figures of their own, and so do the places where people sit or stand to eat and drink at a bar. These are the numbers, each with its section of the standard.
This is a summary. The official 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design are the reference.
The heights: counters, check-out aisles and bars
| Element | Requirement | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Sales or service counter (at least one of each type) | a section 36 inches (915 mm) high at most | 2010 ADA Standards, 227.3, 904.4.1 and 904.4.2 |
| Counter shorter than 36 inches | the whole counter surface 36 inches (915 mm) high at most | 2010 ADA Standards, 904.4.1, exception |
| Depth of the low section | the same depth as the rest of the sales or service counter top | 2010 ADA Standards, 904.4 |
| Check-out aisle counter | 38 inches (965 mm) high at most; edge protection on the aisle side no more than 2 inches (51 mm) above the counter surface | 2010 ADA Standards, 904.3.2 |
| Check writing surface at an accessible check-out aisle (one required to meet 904.3) | 28 to 34 inches (710–865 mm), where one is provided | 2010 ADA Standards, 904.3.3, 226.1, exception 2, and 902.3 |
| Tray slide in a food service line | 28 to 34 inches (710–865 mm) | 2010 ADA Standards, 904.5.2 |
| Bar, lunch counter or other dining surface | at least 5 % of the seating and standing spaces: 28 to 34 inches (710–865 mm); see ADA table height | 2010 ADA Standards, 226.1, advisory 902.1 and 902.3 |
| Dining or work surface for children | may follow 902.4 instead: 26 to 30 inches (660–760 mm) | 2010 ADA Standards, 902.1, exception, and 902.4.2 |
The figure most people look up, 36 inches, is a maximum for one section of the counter, not for all of it. The rest of the counter can stay at whatever height the business needs. What the standard asks is that a person in a wheelchair, or a person of short stature, has a stretch of counter at a height they can use to put down a basket, sign a receipt or talk to the person serving them.
Sales and service counters do not have to follow the dining surface rules of section 902 (2010 ADA Standards, 226.1, exception 1). They have their own, in section 904, and a low counter only works if a person can get close to it: that is what the approach rules below are for.
Side approach or front approach
A counter meets the standard in one of two ways, and the design chooses which (2010 ADA Standards, 904.4):
- Parallel (side) approach: a section at least 36 inches (915 mm) long and no more than 36 inches high, with a clear floor space of at least 30 by 48 inches (760 × 1220 mm) placed parallel to the counter, beside that 36-inch length (2010 ADA Standards, 904.4.1 and 305.3). The wheelchair user pulls up alongside and reaches sideways.
- Forward (front) approach: a section at least 30 inches (760 mm) long and no more than 36 inches high, with knee and toe space under the counter and the clear floor space facing it (2010 ADA Standards, 904.4.2). The wheelchair user rolls in under the counter, as at a desk.
Knee and toe space has its own measurements. Knee clearance is the space between 9 and 27 inches (230–685 mm) above the floor; it is at least 30 inches (760 mm) wide, and at least 11 inches (280 mm) deep at 9 inches above the floor and 8 inches (205 mm) deep at 27 inches (2010 ADA Standards, 306.3.1, 306.3.3 and 306.3.5). Toe clearance, below 9 inches, reaches at least 17 inches (430 mm) under the counter and is 30 inches wide (2010 ADA Standards, 306.2.3 and 306.2.5). Space deeper than 25 inches (635 mm) does not count as knee or toe clearance (2010 ADA Standards, 306.1, 306.2.2 and 306.3.2).
The counter also has to sit next to a walking surface that meets section 403 (2010 ADA Standards, 904.2), which means at least 36 inches (915 mm) of clear width (2010 ADA Standards, 403.5.1). Where the clear floor space is in an alcove, the alcove needs more room: 36 inches wide for a forward approach when it is more than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, and 60 inches (1525 mm) wide for a parallel approach when it is more than 15 inches (380 mm) deep (2010 ADA Standards, 305.7.1 and 305.7.2).
The advisory note to 904.2 suggests putting the accessible counter close to the cash register, so that a wheelchair user is visible to the staff and does not have to reach far (2010 ADA Standards, advisory 904.2). A low section at the far end of the counter, away from the register, meets the numbers and still leaves the customer waiting to be noticed.
How many counters and check-out aisles
Where a building has check-out aisles, sales counters, service counters, food service lines, queues or waiting lines, they follow sections 227 and 904 (2010 ADA Standards, 227.1). For counters, the rule is at least one of each type; if counters are spread through the building, the accessible ones are spread too (2010 ADA Standards, 227.3).
The type is about the service, not the furniture. The advisory note gives order, pick-up, express and returns as different types, and explains that on one continuous counter where orders are taken at one end and collected at the other, both sections have to be accessible (2010 ADA Standards, advisory 227.3). The queue or waiting line that leads to an accessible counter or check-out aisle follows the rules for walking surfaces (2010 ADA Standards, 227.5).
| Check-out aisles of each function | Minimum that must meet 904.3 |
|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | 1 |
| 5 to 8 | 2 |
| 9 to 15 | 3 |
| 16 and over | 3, plus 20 % of the additional aisles |
Each function, such as express lanes, counts on its own, and where check-out aisles are dispersed through the store the accessible ones are dispersed too. Where the selling space is under 5,000 square feet (465 m²), no more than one accessible check-out aisle is required (2010 ADA Standards, 227.2 and its exception). When check-out aisles are altered, at least one of each function is made accessible, until the store reaches the number in the table (2010 ADA Standards, 227.2.1).
Counters and teller windows behind security glass need a way to talk through it (2010 ADA Standards, 904.6). The advisory note lists assistive listening devices, grilles, slats, talk-through baffles, intercoms and telephone handsets as ways to do it (2010 ADA Standards, advisory 904.6).
Bars, lunch counters and work surfaces
The 2010 Standards list bars, lunch counters, tables and booths as dining surfaces (2010 ADA Standards, advisory 902.1). Where food or drink is served at dining surfaces, at least 5 % of the seating and standing spaces at them follow section 902 (2010 ADA Standards, 226.1): a top 28 to 34 inches (710–865 mm) above the floor, with a clear floor space for a forward approach and knee and toe space underneath (2010 ADA Standards, 902.2 and 902.3). Those spaces are spread through the room, not grouped in one corner (2010 ADA Standards, 226.2).
So a bar can carry two sets of numbers. The stretch where customers sit or stand to eat and drink is measured as a dining surface; a counter where they order and pay is a service counter, which follows 904 instead (2010 ADA Standards, 226.1, exception 1). The Department of Justice’s guide for small businesses makes the same split between 227 and 904 for sales and service, and 226 and 902 for dining surfaces (ADA primer for small business). Tables, seating and the rest of a restaurant are in the guide to accessible restaurants.
Work surfaces for customers or visitors, such as writing surfaces and coupon counters, follow the same 5 % rule and the same 28 to 34 inches (2010 ADA Standards, 226.1 and advisory 902.1). Work surfaces used only by employees are not covered by this requirement; the advisory note adds that an employer may still need to adjust a desk, a reception counter or a teller window as a reasonable accommodation for an employee with a disability (2010 ADA Standards, advisory 226.1).
Existing counters and remodels
- A new counter is an alteration: the Department of Justice gives installing a new sales counter as an example, and alterations follow the 2010 Standards (ADA primer for small business).
- The alteration exception: when a full-size accessible counter would reduce the number of existing counters at work stations, or of existing mail boxes, a section 24 inches (610 mm) long with a parallel approach is allowed, as long as the clear floor space is centered on it (2010 ADA Standards, 904.4, exception).
- Counters that stay as they are: in an existing building, barriers at sales and service counters and check-out aisles have to be removed where that is readily achievable, without a significant loss of selling space. When lowering a counter is not readily achievable, the Department of Justice suggests a folding shelf or a nearby accessible counter, and, if that is not readily achievable either, a clipboard or lap board until a permanent change can be made (ADA primer for small business).
- Keep it clear: counters at a cash register must not be cluttered with merchandise or supplies (ADA primer for small business). A low section covered with a card reader stand, a tip jar and a display of gum is a low section nobody can use.
- For what else an existing business has to check, from the parking lot to the restroom, see ADA compliance.
- The accessible counter of Spain, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Mexico, next to this one, is in the Spanish guide Mostrador accesible.
Counters in Braillito Maps
Braillito Maps describes each place with ten questions: step-free entrance or ramp, wide doorway, accessible restroom, accessible parking, tactile paving, braille signage, braille menu, audible signals, guide dogs welcome and a quiet environment. The counter is not one of the ten, so the map does not tell you how high it is.
Several of the ten still decide whether you can be served at the counter. Step-free entrance or ramp and wide doorway say whether you can get in and reach it; the door is explained in ADA door width. Braille menu says whether you can read what is on offer without asking someone to read it to you. Guide dogs welcome says whether your dog can come with you to the front of the line. And a quiet environment matters to people who find their way by sound.
If the counter at a place you know is too high, or its low section is covered with displays, say so in your review of that place: the next person will know before they go. The map is filled in by the people who need it. Meet Braillito Maps.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ADA counter height?
At least one of each type of sales or service counter needs a section no higher than 36 inches (915 mm) above the floor; the rest of the counter can be higher (2010 ADA Standards, 227.3, 904.4.1 and 904.4.2).
How long does the lowered section of an ADA counter have to be?
36 inches (915 mm) for a side approach, or 30 inches (760 mm) for a front approach with knee and toe space underneath (2010 ADA Standards, 904.4.1 and 904.4.2). In alterations, 24 inches (610 mm) is allowed when a full-size counter would mean losing existing counters at work stations or mail boxes (2010 ADA Standards, 904.4, exception).
What is the ADA height for a check-out counter?
38 inches (965 mm) at most, with the edge protection on the aisle side no more than 2 inches (51 mm) above the counter surface (2010 ADA Standards, 904.3.2).
How high is an ADA bar counter?
Bars and lunch counters where people eat or drink are dining surfaces: at least 5 % of the seating and standing spaces have a top 28 to 34 inches (710–865 mm) above the floor, with knee and toe space (2010 ADA Standards, advisory 902.1, 226.1 and 902.3). The rest of the rules for dining surfaces are in ADA table height.
How deep does the accessible section of a counter have to be?
As deep as the rest of the sales or service counter top (2010 ADA Standards, 904.4).
How many accessible counters does a business need?
At least one of each type of sales or service counter, such as order, pick-up or returns, dispersed if the counters are (2010 ADA Standards, 227.3 and advisory 227.3). Check-out aisles follow table 227.2: one for 1 to 4 aisles of each function, two for 5 to 8 and three for 9 to 15 (2010 ADA Standards, 227.2).
More accessibility guides
- Accessible restaurants: what to check before you go: the entrance, the tables, the restroom, the menu and service animals.
- ADA table height: how high an accessible table, desk or work surface is, the knee and toe space under it, and how many have to comply.
- ADA reach range: forward and side reach, with and without an obstruction, and where the 15 to 48 inch range applies: switches, outlets and controls.
- ADA drinking fountains: spout height for wheelchair users and for standing people, hi-lo units, knee clearance, controls and water flow.
- ADA compliance: a checklist for small businesses, with the 2010 Standards section behind each item.
- ADA door width: 32 inches of clear width, maneuvering space, thresholds, hardware and opening force.
- ADA bathroom requirements: toilet height and position, grab bar height, sink height, stall sizes and turning space.
- All accessibility guides
Sources
Every figure in this guide comes from one of these official texts, which we read in October 2026.
- 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. U.S. Department of Justice, published September 15, 2010; required for new work since March 15, 2012.
- ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business. U.S. Department of Justice (ADA.gov), last updated February 28, 2020.
Braillito Maps
Find places with ramps, accessible toilets or tactile paving near you in Braillito Maps
In Braillito Maps, every place answers ten questions: step-free entrance or ramp, wide doorway, accessible restroom, accessible parking, tactile paving, braille signage, braille menu, audible signals, guide dogs welcome and a quiet environment. It is built by the people who need it, and every place gets a score out of ten.
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