Alltagsmaße

Alltagsmaße is a concept in German design discourse referring to the dimensions and spatial relationships commonly encountered in everyday life. It serves as a heuristic to align products, spaces, and services with how people move, reach, sit, and interact in real settings. The term combines Alltag (everyday life) and Maße (measurements) and is used in design discussions.

Originating from the idea of a living scale, Alltagsmaße draw on anthropometric data and everyday experience rather than laboratory measurements alone. It emphasizes human-scale measurements that feel natural in daily use.

Applications include architecture and interior design (door widths, corridor clearances, seat heights, worktop levels), furniture and product design (grip sizes, control dimensions, packaging), and urban planning (pedestrian space, seating, public fixtures).

Typical ranges cited as Alltagsmaße vary by culture and region but commonly include: door heights around 2.00 m, corridor widths sufficient for comfortable passage, seating heights approximately 40–46 cm, table heights around 70–78 cm, kitchen worktop heights around 85–95 cm, bed widths from 140–180 cm for standard sizes.

Limitations: Alltagsmaße are approximations that reflect averages and convenience for a given population; they should not replace formal standards such as accessibility requirements or regional regulations. They also vary by age, body size, and cultural practices.

Because the term is descriptive rather than normative, designers use Alltagsmaße as a starting point and adjust through user testing and compliance with standards.