Arcade Cabinet and Pinball Dimensions Chart
A two-player upright arcade cabinet needs about 3 ft 10 in by 8 ft 4 in including the standing zone, a four-player needs 3 ft 10 in by 11 ft, and a pinball machine needs 3 ft 9 in by 10 ft 7 in. Side clearance is only about 6 inches because cabinets stand shoulder to shoulder, which makes these the most space-efficient games in a game room.
Arcade cabinets are the most space-efficient games in this hobby, and the reason is a design decision made decades ago: cabinets were built to stand shoulder to shoulder in rows, so they need essentially no clearance at the sides. All the room a cabinet needs is in front of it, which means it slots into a corner of a room that is already full.
| Format | Footprint | Front clearance | Side clearance | Room needed | Sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home arcade cabinet with riser | 26" x 24" | 30" | 6" | 3 ft 2 in x 7 ft | 22 |
| Arcade cabinet, 2-player upright | 34" x 28" | 36" | 6" | 3 ft 10 in x 8 ft 4 in | 32 |
| Arcade cabinet, 4-player upright | 34" x 48" | 42" | 6" | 3 ft 10 in x 11 ft | 42 |
| Pinball machine | 29" x 55" | 36" | 8" | 3 ft 9 in x 10 ft 7 in | 40 |
Side clearance for an arcade cabinet is about 6 inches, which is for ventilation and cables rather than for players. Depth includes the control panel overhang. Cabinets can sit shoulder to shoulder, so side clearance is nearly nothing. A wall of three cabinets takes barely more floor than one, which is why arcade machines should be the last thing you plan and the first thing you add to a room that is already built.
Heights and weights
| Format | Height | Ceiling needed | Weight, typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countercade | About 18 in | A shelf | 15 to 25 lb |
| Bartop cabinet | 24 to 30 in | A counter | 30 to 60 lb |
| Bartop with base and riser | 60 to 70 in | 8 ft | 70 to 120 lb |
| Home cabinet, 3/4 scale | 45 to 60 in | 8 ft | 70 to 120 lb |
| Home cabinet with riser | 57 to 74 in | 8 ft | 80 to 140 lb |
| Full size upright | 68 to 77 in | 8 ft | 200 to 350 lb |
| Full size with riser pedestal | 78 to 91 in | 8 ft 6 in | 250 to 400 lb |
| Cocktail table cabinet | About 30 in | Any | 120 to 200 lb |
| Pinball machine | About 76 in with backbox up | 7 ft 6 in | 250 to 350 lb |
The measurements to take before ordering
- The narrowest point on the route in. Doorways, the stair itself, and any turn at the bottom. A full size upright is 28 to 34 inches deep and does not tilt easily.
- The tightest turn. A straight flight is routine. A switchback with a quarter turn is where deliveries fail, and it is worth photographing when you order rather than discovering on the day.
- Whether the cabinet ships assembled or in sections. Some do come apart, which solves a difficult route entirely, and it is not always stated prominently.
- Ceiling height at the destination, including any ductwork or soffit above where the cabinet will stand. A pinball backbox has to be raised into position after the machine is in place, which needs headroom above the final height.
- Where the outlet is. A cabinet against a wall with no outlet means a lead across a floor, which in a game room is a trip hazard rather than an aesthetic complaint.
Standing zones, which is where the space goes
The clearance figures on this page are standing zones rather than walkways, and they scale with the number of player positions rather than with the cabinet. A two-player upright needs 36 inches in front for two people to stand and reach the controls. A four-player machine needs 42 inches, because four people need to stand side by side, so the standing zone is wider than the cabinet.
A pinball machine is different again: Leave 8 in behind the backbox for service access and the coin door swing at the front. Front clearance is a player leaning into the machine and nudging it, and the rear and side allowance is for lifting the playfield and opening the backbox, which is maintenance access rather than play space and is genuinely needed on a machine that will be serviced.
Power
An individual cabinet draws modestly. The problem is combination: two cabinets, a pinball machine, a kegerator and a beverage fridge on one basement circuit will trip, because the refrigeration compressors draw a large surge on start. If the room is heading in that direction, budget $200 to $600 for a dedicated 20 A circuit and run it while the ceiling is open. Detail in game room electrical planning.
Related
Apply these to your own room with the arcade footprint planner. For the machines themselves, see full size cabinets, machines under $1,000 and pinball machines. The Top Us four-player is the full size pick and the riser pedestal is what brings a low cabinet to adult height. A complete room including a cabinet and a pinball machine is priced in the full buildout.
Frequently asked questions
How much space does an arcade cabinet need?
A two-player upright needs about 3 ft 10 in by 8 ft 4 in including the standing zone, and a four-player upright needs 3 ft 10 in by 11 ft because four people stand side by side. A home cabinet in the three quarter scale class needs 3 ft 2 in by 7 ft. Side clearance is only about 6 inches, because cabinets are designed to stand shoulder to shoulder.
How tall is an arcade cabinet?
Full size upright cabinets run 68 to 77 inches tall, and a riser adds another 10 to 14 inches on top of that. Home cabinets in the three quarter scale class are typically 45 to 60 inches without a riser. Ceiling height wants 8 ft for a full size machine, which most rooms have; the bigger issue is usually the route in rather than the room.
How much space does a pinball machine need?
About 3 ft 9 in by 10 ft 7 in, from a cabinet of roughly 29 by 55 inches plus standing room at the front and service access at the back. Leave 8 in behind the backbox for service access and the coin door swing at the front. Ceiling height wants 7 ft 6 in because the backbox tops out near 76 inches.
Can arcade cabinets stand next to each other?
Yes, and they are designed for it: arcades put them shoulder to shoulder in rows and home cabinets follow the same proportions. About six inches between cabinets is enough for ventilation and to get a hand behind for cables. That is the reason arcade machines are the most space-efficient games in this hobby: all the room they need is in front of them, and a wall of three cabinets takes barely more floor than one.
Will an arcade cabinet fit down my basement stairs?
Measure the narrowest point on the route and the tightest turn before ordering. A full size upright arrives largely assembled at 68 to 77 inches tall and roughly 28 to 34 inches deep, and a basement stairwell with a quarter turn at the bottom is the single most common reason a delivery cannot be completed. Some cabinets ship in sections, which solves it, and that is worth confirming rather than assuming.
How much do arcade cabinets and pinball machines weigh?
A full size upright arcade cabinet weighs roughly 200 to 350 lb and a four-player machine more. A pinball machine is 250 to 350 lb and does not come apart in any useful way, although the backbox folds down for transport. Both are two person minimum, both benefit from an appliance dolly, and neither should be dragged across a finished floor.
Measuring your own room before anything is delivered? The Game Room Layout Planner is the paid version of these pages: 8 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, plus the full PDF, $29.
How we work: we compare published manufacturer dimensions, the governing playing standards for each game, and reviews from owners who live with the equipment. We do not test games in person, and we say so on every page. Clearance figures here are researched guidance for planning a room, not professional advice: measure your own space, and have a slate table delivered, assembled and levelled by an installer rather than moving it yourself.