How big is a vending machine? Bigger and heavier than most people expect — a full-size vending machine stands about six feet tall, is almost three feet deep and weighs 300 kg or more. Getting the vending machine dimensions right before delivery saves a failed install. Here are real sizes for every Feel Good Snacks machine, plus the doorway, clearance, floor and power checks to do first.
- FGS machines are 72.04 in (183 cm) tall and 32.67 in (83 cm) deep in every size.
- Widths are 30, 35.03, 41.33 and 47.83 in (76.2 to 121.5 cm), and weights run 300 to 395 kg before product.
- Machines are usually moved upright on a dolly or pallet jack, so the door must be wider than the machine’s depth (about 33 in) and taller than about 72 in plus the dolly.
- Refrigerated and frozen machines need ventilation space behind them and ideally a dedicated circuit.
- Measure the whole route — doors, halls, turns, stairs and elevators — and confirm with your supplier before delivery day.
Vending machine dimensions: FGS size table
Feel Good Snacks machines come in four widths. Height and depth are the same across the range, so width and weight are what change. Metric figures are converted and rounded.
| Size | Width | Height | Depth | Weight (empty) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 30 in (76.2 cm) | 72.04 in (183.0 cm) | 32.67 in (83.0 cm) | 300 kg (~661 lb) |
| Medium | 35.03 in (89.0 cm) | 72.04 in (183.0 cm) | 32.67 in (83.0 cm) | 335 kg (~739 lb) |
| Large | 41.33 in (105.0 cm) | 72.04 in (183.0 cm) | 32.67 in (83.0 cm) | 365 kg (~805 lb) |
| Extra large | 47.83 in (121.5 cm) | 72.04 in (183.0 cm) | 32.67 in (83.0 cm) | 395 kg (~871 lb) |
These are the cabinet dimensions from the FGS specification. Allow a little extra for handles, the payment panel and any packaging during delivery. See the models on the FGS Classic and FGS SKY Series pages, or browse all vending machines for sale.
How big is a vending machine, really?
A standard full-size vending machine is roughly the size of a large commercial refrigerator: about six feet tall, two and a half to four feet wide and just under three feet deep. The smallest FGS cabinet takes up a footprint of roughly 76 × 83 cm; the extra large about 122 × 83 cm. Leave standing room in front so customers can browse, pay and reach the delivery bin, and room for the door to swing fully open when you restock.
Doorways and moving the machine in
Vending machines are usually moved upright on an appliance dolly or pallet jack, with the machine’s side facing the direction of travel. That means the critical door measurement is usually the machine’s depth (about 33 inches), not its width.
- Door width: the clear opening, with the door fully open, needs to be wider than about 33 inches plus a little room for the crew’s hands and the dolly. Measure the clear opening between the door stop and the open door, not the door slab.
- Door height: it must be taller than the machine (about 72 inches) plus the height the dolly or pallet jack lifts it. Standard 80-inch doors usually work; low basement or service doors may not.
- Tight openings: removing a door from its hinges, or sometimes the machine’s own door or handles, can buy extra space. Don’t improvise this on delivery day — plan it in advance.
- Laying it down: avoid tipping refrigerated or frozen machines on their side or back. If one has been tilted, manufacturers generally advise letting it stand upright for a period before switching it on; follow the guidance for your model.
Every building is different. Send your supplier photos and measurements of each doorway and turn on the route. Feel Good Snacks’ delivery crews regularly plan around tight doors and stairs — it’s much easier when we know in advance.
Stairs, elevators and tight turns
At 300–395 kg before product, a vending machine on stairs is a job for an experienced crew with the right equipment, and it adds cost and time. Tell your supplier about any steps, even one or two at an entrance.
- Elevators: check the rated load capacity against the machine plus the dolly and crew, and measure the door opening and the cab’s interior depth and height. A freight or service elevator is usually the better choice.
- Hallways and corners: a machine around 83 cm deep and up to 122 cm wide needs room to pivot. Measure hallway widths at every turn.
- Floor surfaces and thresholds: ramps or floor protection may be needed for raised thresholds or delicate floors.
Ventilation clearance behind the machine
Refrigerated, combo, drink and frozen machines shed heat from a compressor and condenser, usually at the back or bottom. Push one tight against a wall and it runs hotter, uses more power and wears out sooner. As a rule of thumb, leave a few inches of clearance behind the machine — around 10 cm is common — and keep vents uncovered, but follow the manufacturer’s specification for your model. Avoid enclosed alcoves, direct sunlight and spots right next to heaters.
Floor load and level
A loaded vending machine adds product weight on top of its 300–395 kg empty weight, all concentrated on a small footprint. Ground-floor concrete slabs handle this routinely. For upper floors, older buildings, mezzanines or raised access floors, ask the property manager or building engineer to confirm the floor can take it. The floor should also be level, or close to it; FGS machines have adjustable anti-slip feet to fine-tune the final position.
Power requirements
FGS machines run on standard 110V household-style power, so there’s no special wiring for most installs. A few practical points:
- Outlet nearby: place the machine within reach of the cord; avoid extension cords.
- Dedicated circuit recommended for refrigerated and frozen machines, so a compressor isn’t competing with a microwave or kettle on the same breaker.
- Surge protection helps protect the control board and payment hardware.
- Who pays: electricity is usually covered by the location host — roughly $20–$40 a month for a modern refrigerated machine.
Measuring checklist before you order
- Floor space where the machine will sit: width, depth and ceiling height.
- Clearance behind for ventilation, and in front for customers and the open door.
- Distance to the nearest outlet, and whether it’s on a dedicated circuit.
- Clear width and height of every door on the route, measured with the door fully open.
- Hallway widths at each turn, plus any steps, stairs or thresholds.
- Elevator capacity, door opening and cab depth, if applicable.
- Floor type and level, and whether the floor is on grade or an upper level.
- Photos of the route and the final spot to send to your supplier.
What size vending machine for which site?
| Site | Suggested size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small office, clinic, shop | Small (30 in) | Fits tight spaces; enough selections for a small crowd |
| Mid-size office, gym, salon | Small or medium | Balance of variety and footprint |
| Busy workplace, school, residence | Large (41.33 in) | More selections for a larger, varied crowd |
| Warehouse, plant, campus | Large or extra large | Maximum capacity means fewer restock visits |
A combo machine is often the best single choice where space allows only one unit. See snack vending machines for sale, the drink vending machines buyer’s guide and the vending machine cost guide, or local guides such as office vending machines in Mississauga and warehouse vending machines in Calgary.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a standard vending machine?
A full-size vending machine is typically about 72 inches (183 cm) tall and around 33 inches (83 cm) deep. FGS machines range from 30 to 47.83 inches (76.2 to 121.5 cm) wide.
How much does a vending machine weigh?
FGS machines weigh about 300 kg (small) to 395 kg (extra large) empty, or roughly 661 to 871 lb. Product adds more weight once the machine is loaded.
Will a vending machine fit through a standard door?
Usually, because machines are moved upright with the side leading, so the door needs to be wider than the machine’s depth (about 33 inches) and taller than about 72 inches plus the dolly. Measure the clear opening and confirm with your supplier before delivery.
How much space should I leave behind a vending machine?
Refrigerated and frozen machines need ventilation space behind them — a few inches, often around 10 cm — but follow the manufacturer’s specification for your model.
Does a vending machine need a special outlet?
No. FGS machines run on standard 110V power. A dedicated circuit is recommended for refrigerated and frozen machines, and extension cords should be avoided.
Can a vending machine go up stairs?
Yes, with an experienced crew and the right equipment, but it adds time and cost. Tell your supplier about any stairs or steps in advance; a freight elevator is often easier.
Keep reading
Not sure it will fit?
Send us your measurements and a few photos of the route. We’ll recommend the right vending machine size and plan the delivery — anywhere in Canada.