Light Switch Cover Dimensions (Plate Sizes)

Here’s our light switch cover dimensions guide, including standard & different outlet plate sizes and how to measure these covers.

Light switch covers or wall switches, as some might call them, are outlet plates for switches on the walls. Sometimes, they can also be found on kitchen islands and other types of cabinetry that need them. A light switch’s principal function is to protect the user from the wiring to prevent accidental electrocution. 

Many light switches have individual toggle plates that turn the light on and off with a flip up and down. In addition, combination switches can house a toggle and one or more outlets. 

You can also find covers allowing USB and many other data jacks, which many use for charging. They are usually connected to the walls on their bedside tables.

Standard Light Switch Cover Dimensions

The standard light switch plate is the most common type. It is the most used in basic construction, whether for residential or commercial buildings. 

If you see light switches in many homes, they will likely be the standard single covers. 

A standard light switch cover plate will usually come in sizes of 2.75 inches or about 7 centimeters for the width with a length of 4.5 inches or 11 centimeters. 

Sometimes, there might be imperfections in the drilling of the hole, and to disguise the imperfections, a homeowner should go for a larger or more oversized wall plate. 

Midway/Mid Size Outlet Cover Size 

A midway or mid-sized light switch plate is bigger than your standard size. You can get a toggle mid-size wall plate, a duplex outlet plate, or even those for cables and phones. 

If you want a light switch cover slightly bigger than standard, go for mid-sized. This mid-sized plate is a little more extensive, with a length of 5.06 inches or approximately 13 centimeters and a width from side to side of 3.25 inches or about 8 centimeters. 

Oversized Outlet Cover Size 

An oversized outlet plate can be used on larger holes and mistakes made during construction. An oversized outlet shields more wall surfaces, so the edges of the holes will be covered. No patching, painting, or sanding is needed if there is a mistake in construction. 

An oversized outlet cover will measure from up and down 5.5 inches or about 14 centimeters. It has a width side to side of 3.5 inches or approximately 9 centimeters. It is just a little bigger than the midway or the midsized plate. 

Jumbo Switch Cover Measurements

Like the oversized product, a jumbo covering can be used to save you time and effort in patching or painting the drywall if there are problems with the construction. 

Jumbo covers have a dimension of 6.38 inches or about 16 centimeters for the length with a width side to side of around 4.5 inches or 11 centimeters. 

Ultra Switch Plate Sizing

Whether you are looking for a toggle or an outlet plate, an ultra is the biggest size you can find anywhere. This will be convenient when repairs are needed, so no delays will happen.

An ultra light switch cover will have a length of 7.5 inches from top to bottom, or around 19 centimeters, and a width from side to side of 5.5 inches, or approximately 14 centimeters. 

Combination Wall Plate Dimensions

There are also combination wall plates that combine a toggle switch cover with an outlet either for a USB or for a telephone outlet. Combination wall plates with rocker wall toggles will work for dimmers or tap switches. 

Combination wall plates will come with different toggle or outlet combinations, but they usually have the same housing dimensions.

A combo of toggles and a single round outlet cover plate will have a width of 4 9/16 inches or about 12 centimeter. It will have a length from top to bottom of 4.5 inches or 11 centimeters. 

You can have combination cover plates on standard white plastic, stainless steel, or even antique brass wall plates. 

How Do You Measure A Light Switch Cover?

One of the most important things to do to ensure that the light switch cover will be an exact fit is to ensure that the spacing is correct, especially if you are using a standard-sized light switch. 

So how do you measure the screw spacing, and how do you know what you will need? 

To ensure that you have the correct size of a light switch, measure that it can conceal the electrical box. If there is no problem with any cover-ups needed for the drywall, then a standard light switch cover will be all you need for your space. 

The foremost thing you need to do to ensure that the screw hole spacing will be correct is to measure from one hole center to the other, from the top of one screw hole to the other screw hole at the bottom. 

Measuring Tips:

Some will have a strap mount or the device mount, and all you need to ensure that they are exact is to do the same measuring from top to bottom of each screw hole. After all that, you are all set to screw your new and improved light switch cover. 

Are Switch Wall Plates Universal?

No, light switches are not universal. They come in various sizes, from the standard to the more oversized ultra light switch covers. 

See more related content in our article about the types of light fixtures on this page.