How to Choose the Right Wheelchair Ramp
Choose a wheelchair ramp by measuring your total rise first. Rises under 6 inches need a threshold ramp. Rises of 6 to 24 inches suit a portable or solid-surface ramp. Anything higher, or any permanent commercial entrance, needs a modular ramp system sized to a 1:12 slope.
Start with your rise, not your ramp
Almost every wrong ramp purchase starts the same way: someone shops by product first and measures second. Reverse that. Rise is the vertical distance from the lower surface — driveway, sidewalk, landing — to the top of the surface you need to reach. Measure it with a tape measure held plumb, not along the slope of the ground, and measure at the highest point if your ground is uneven.
That one number eliminates most of the catalog immediately. A 4-inch rise and a 28-inch rise are not the same problem, and no single product solves both.
If you have your rise and want the length math done for you, the Ramp Wizard converts rise into a recommended ramp length at a compliant slope. If you want to understand the math yourself, start with ramp slope and sizing.
The four questions that decide it
How high is the rise?
This sets the ramp category. See the comparison table below.
Does the ramp need to move?
A ramp that travels in a car trunk, gets stowed between uses, or follows a user to a rental property is a portable ramp. A ramp that stays put can be solid-surface or modular, which buys you handrails, more width, and a gentler slope.
Who and what is crossing it?
A manual wheelchair, a 350-pound power chair, a scooter, and a walker all load a ramp differently. Add the occupant, the device, and anything carried. Then add margin — capacity ratings are not targets to approach.
Is it a home or a place of business?
Residential ramps have latitude. Commercial and public entrances fall under the ADA, which sets a maximum 1:12 slope, minimum widths, landing dimensions, and handrail requirements. If the public uses your entrance, the rules are not optional — see ramp codes and compliance.
Ramp types compared
| Ramp type | Rise it serves | Portable? | Typical capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threshold ramps | Up to 6″ | Semi — light, repositionable | Varies by model | Doorways, sliding door tracks, single steps, raised landings |
| Portable folding ramps | Roughly 6″–24″ | Yes — folds, carries | 800 lbs | Vans, temporary access, travel, renters, 1–3 steps |
| Solid-surface ramps (GATEWAY 3G) | Single steps up to a low porch | No — stays installed | 1,000 lbs | Fixed home access where a straight run fits |
| Modular ramp systems (PATHWAY 3G) | Any — configurable | No — semi-permanent | Heavy-duty | Long runs, turns, platforms, multi-step porches |
| Commercial modular (PATHWAY HD) | Any — configurable | No — permanent | Commercial-rated | ADA-compliant business and public entrances |
| Walk ramps (TRAVERSE) | Loading height | Yes | 1,200–1,600 lbs | Loading docks, trailers, equipment, non-wheelchair loads |
Threshold ramps: the small-rise specialists
If your obstacle is a doorway, a sliding-door track, or a single step, you are almost certainly looking for a threshold ramp, not a wheelchair ramp in the conventional sense. Express Ramps carries rubber angled entry mats for rises up to 2.5″, modular rubber mats up to 4.75″, aluminum angled entry plates up to 2″, and modular aluminum entry ramps up to 6″. Rubber absorbs impact and sits well on uneven surfaces; aluminum trims to width and handles higher loads.
The choice among them turns on rise, door swing clearance, and whether your threshold is level. That decision has its own guide: Threshold Ramp Selection Guide.
Portable ramps: when the ramp has to travel
Folding ramps trade permanence for mobility. The SUITCASE Singlefold reaches 8 feet and carries 800 pounds; the Trifold reaches 10 feet at the same capacity and splits into two pieces so one person can handle it. A splittable ramp is meaningfully easier to load into a trunk — worth the difference if the ramp moves often.
Portable ramps are the right answer for van access, for rentals where you cannot modify the structure, and for temporary needs such as recovery after surgery. They are the wrong answer for a permanent daily-use entrance, where a fixed ramp with handrails is safer.
Modular systems: when the rise is real
Once your rise passes roughly two feet, a compliant 1:12 slope means 24 or more feet of ramp — a run that rarely fits a straight line in a real yard. Modular systems solve this with turns, switchbacks, and level platforms, assembled from aluminum components and reconfigurable if your needs change. PATHWAY 3G covers residential applications and can incorporate adjustable metal stairs alongside the ramp; PATHWAY HD is the commercial line built for ADA-compliant public entrances.
Modular is also the answer when a straight run would be technically possible but unpleasant — a 20-foot ramp bisecting a front walkway is compliant and still the wrong design.
Still narrowing it down?
Work through ramp sizing and slope to turn your rise into a length, check code requirements if this is a business or you want residential guidance, When you are close, installation tells you what the work actually involves, and ramp care covers keeping it safe through winter.
Our team has been sizing ramps since 1999. If you would rather have a person look at your measurements, send photos and your rise to info@expressramps.com.
