# Puzzle Parking Capacity: How Many Cars Fit on Your Site?

> A lift-slide puzzle system parks (levels × columns) − (levels − 1) cars, because every level except the top keeps one empty space for shuffling. A 3-level, 5-column system therefore holds 13 cars.

Published 2026-07-30, updated 2026-10-05 by Parking System Factory Engineering Desk.

Puzzle (lift-slide) parking is the workhorse of residential and office retrofits. It is modular, needs little or no pit and works with the clear heights of many existing basements. The first question is always the same: how many cars will it hold?

## The capacity formula

Spaces = levels × columns − (levels − 1)
The ground level slides sideways and the upper levels move up and down. To bring any upper car down, the pallets below it must open a vertical path, so each level except the top keeps one empty space.

## Capacity table

Parking spaces by number of levels and columns
|Columns |2 levels |3 levels |4 levels |5 levels |6 levels |

|3 |5 |7 |9 |11 |13 |

|4 |7 |10 |13 |16 |19 |

|5 |9 |13 |17 |21 |25 |

|6 |11 |16 |21 |26 |31 |

|8 |15 |22 |29 |36 |43 |

## From footprint to columns

Divide the clear width by the column module (typically 2.5–2.7 m including steel) and round down. Depth is set by the car length plus frame, usually 5.8–6.2 m for cars up to 5.0–5.3 m long. Height per level depends on the car height allowed on that level, typically 1.55 m for sedans and up to 2.05 m for SUVs.

## Mixing sedans and SUVs

You can set different level heights: SUVs on the ground level, where the height is limited only by the slab above, and sedans on the upper levels. This often adds a whole level within the same building height.

## When a puzzle system is not the right answer

If you need more than about 30 cars in one module, or cars move constantly at peak hours, look at [plane moving systems](https://parkingsystemfactory.com/products/plane-moving-parking-system/), which run several carriers in parallel. If the plot is smaller than three columns, a [rotary carousel](https://parkingsystemfactory.com/products/rotary-parking-system/) usually wins.
Try the formula with your own numbers in our [capacity planner](https://parkingsystemfactory.com/contact/#planner).

## FAQ

### Why does a puzzle system need empty spaces?

Pallets on the lower levels slide sideways to open a vertical path for the car being retrieved. One empty space per level, except the top level, makes that possible.

### How wide is one column?

One column usually needs about 2.5–2.7 m of width including the steel frame. Confirm with the layout drawing for your car size.

### How many entries does a puzzle system need?

Each column that reaches the ground level is an entry. Users drive straight onto the ground-level pallet, so no ramps or aisles are needed inside the system.