When your dryer belt snaps, replacing this part is a lot more appealing than replacing the whole dryer. Every tutorial promises that replacing your old belt is a quick and easy task, but stress making sure that you get the correct size of belt.
Listing the correct dryer belt size for every model on the market would be very helpful but terribly impractical. However, we can provide you information on how to know what size belt your dryer uses and give you the most common sizes according to drum size, make, and dryer type.
Dryer belt sizes can vary based on drum size, make and model, and type of dryer. Common sizes are 92 1/4" and 93 1/2" long and 1/2" or 1/4" wide. Finding the right size is important to ensure dryer function. The size may be written on the old belt, but the manufacturer can also be called.
Are All Dryer Belts the Same Size?
Dryer belts are not all the same size, differing in diameter and length according to size, make, and model of the dryer in which they are installed.
There is definitely overlap—there are not as many dryer belt sizes as there are dryer models, but there is enough variation that you can accidentally pick up the wrong size if you just grab the first one you see.
The dryer belt is a key component of each dryer. It allows the dryer drum to spin when the motor runs by wrapping itself around the drum and a pulley system of the dryer.
The belt is a key component of the drum-moving mechanism, so the correct size of the dryer belt directly depends not only on the size of the dryer’s drum but also on the weight the drum can handle.
You should know what this weight is so that you don’t overload the drum with clothing and putting excessive strain on the belt, which can then snap more easily. Avoid tumble drying soaking wet clothes as well because these are always heavier.
The belt’s width and length also vary to perfectly fit the specific pulley system used in a particular dryer.
Dryer belts are not really interchangeable in that you can’t use any size. But—and this is slightly confusing—they are interchangeable in that a belt from one dryer can be the same size as the belt you need.
In the end, if you want your dryer to work properly, you need to find a belt that fits it perfectly whether or not it’s brand- or model-specific.
How Do I Know What Belt Size My Dryer Uses?
There are different techniques that are meant to help you find out what size belt your dryer needs. However, some of these methods are more reliable than others.
For example, some people recommend removing your old belt from the drum and measuring it. Unfortunately, this method can be very deceptive because dryer belts tend to stretch over time.
When you install a new belt that is as long as your old stretched-out belt, at best, you risk that the belt will keep slipping off, and you will need to fix it regularly. At worst, the drum won’t be able to turn properly due to the lack of tension, or the belt can start melting and breaking.
Either way, you will eventually have to buy a new belt.
Luckily for dryer owners, there are two much simpler and, most importantly, more reliable ways to determine what size of a belt you should buy.
Firstly, you can inspect your old belt and look for its product number. Most belts even have their length written directly on them, so you could just read it and order the correct size.
However, if the dimensions are not written on the belt, your best option is to contact your manufacturer or go to their website.
Instead of the “Products” window, open the “Spare parts” window and find the exact belt that was used in your dryer by writing the dryer’s product number into the search window and looking at the product number of the dryer belt.
This way, you should be able to order the part directly from the manufacturer. Alternatively, you can look up the part on Amazon, eBay, or other websites such as this one.
Or just keep reading and look through the tables we’ve compiled for you!
Most Common Dryer Belt Size According To…
Drum Size
As already mentioned, the size and capacity of the drum are probably the most important determiners of the size of the dryer belt.
Let’s look at some of the most frequently found capacities dryers come with to see what is the most common belt size for each of these.
Dryer drum capacity | Most common belt size |
7.8 cubic feet | 97.9″ long. |
7.4 cubic feet | 93 1/2” long by 1/4″ wide (most common). 92 1/4″ long by 1/4″ wide (second most common). |
7.2 cubic feet | 89 1/2″ long and either 1/2″ or 1/4″ wide. Some makes require 92″ long and 5/16” wide. |
7 cubic feet | 92 1/4″ or 92 1/2″ long belts with a width of 1/4″. |
5.9 cubic feet | 93 to 93 1/2″ long and 1/4” wide. |
4.2 cubic feet | 76 1/10″ long. |
4 cubic feet | At least 76” but more commonly 77 1/3″ long. |
Make
As you can see from the table above, there is a certain amount of overlap between the different drum sizes and the required belt size, meaning that you can functionally use the same size belt for different drum capacities.
Manufacturers often take advantage of this fact to bring down production costs. It’s more economical for them to make dryers that use the same belt size or, say, the same three sizes.
As a result, we can see patterns emerge as to the most common dryer belt sizes for a particular dryer brand or make.
GE Dryers |
A typical belt for some of the most popular GE dryers is 89.5” long with 4 ribs on the inside for a good grip. For their dryers with a larger capacity, they use the WE03X29704 belt. The GE website doesn’t provide any dimensions for this belt, but based on our research, it should be about 97.9″ long (but don’t quote me on that!). |
Whirlpool Dryers |
The by far most common belt size for some of the most popular Whirlpool Dryers is 92 1/4″ long by 1/4″ wide. The second most popular length of Whirlpool belts is 93 1/2″ Both sizes have 4 ribs and 3 grooves. |
Maytag Dryers |
While Maytag is owned by Whirlpool, it still produces its own products, and it is technically independent in the product’s design. That being said, the appliance parts are often distributed by Whirlpool. Therefore, they use the same dryer drive belts, the most common size being 92 1/4″ long by 1/4″ wide. |
LG Dryers |
The majority of people’s favorite LG dryers have belts that are 92 1/4″ long by 1/2″ wide. |
Samsung Dryers |
Compared to other manufacturers that we have covered thus far, Samsung dryers’ belts are the most unique in the sense of their size. A common length of a Samsung belt is 92″, while the width is 5/16”. The belt also has 5 ribs and 4 grooves, instead of the typical 4 and 3 that we can see from the other brands. |
Does Make Matter if the Size Is the Same?
Practically, if I was replacing my dryer belt and the same size belt was significantly cheaper from a non-brand retailer or a different brand, then I’d probably risk it (depending on the discernible quality of the belt material).
However, the official stance on this matter is that there can be slight differences to the belts other than size. As I mentioned, the quality of the material could differ. There are also the grooves and ribs, which differ.
While these may seem minor, they can play a role in what kind of stressors the belt is able to withstand or it can affect how the belt works as a part of the whole pulley mechanism.
For example, you can have two belts of the same size but one is made out of stronger materials, which means that it is capable of tumbling a load that weighs x amount. The same size belt with a different material makeup may not be able to handle this.
In such a case, following the weight limit instructions for the dryer can result in damage to the machine.
Furthermore, if you use a non-brand belt and something goes wrong with the dryer, it could void your warranty.
Dryer Type
Dryer type can make a difference to the required dryer belt size in a similar way to the drum capacity because some types of dryers are almost always smaller than other types.
Gas and electric dryers are pretty similar when it comes to the standard range of capacities. Gas dryers probably come in sizes on the large end of the range more often than electric dryers, but not enough to make a difference to the belt sizes.
Condenser and heat pump dryers tend to be more compact in comparison to gas and electric dryers, so the belts for these smaller dryers will be similarly shorter.
Gas |
The majority of gas dryer belts I’ve compared were 92 1/4″ long. They tend to have 4 ribs and 3 grooves. The second most popular length was 93 1/2″, also with 4 ribs and 3 grooves. Occasionally, when the dryer has a smaller drum, you can find a gas dryer with a belt about 89 1/2” long. These dryer belts are usually either 1/2″ or 1/4″ wide. |
Electric |
The most common belt size for electric dryers is 93 1/2″ long by 1/4″ wide. The second most common size is 92 1/4″ long by 1/4″ wide. Smaller capacity electric dryers typically have belts that are 89.5” long. Similar to gas dryer belts, these belts tend to have 4 ribs and 3 grooves. |
Condenser |
These belts can be anywhere from 76” to 89.5″ long, with the most common lengths being 77 1/3” and 77 1/2″. A common width for condenser dryer belts is 1/4″. They are often flat with 4 ribs. |
Washer/Dryer Combo |
These belts are commonly 92 1/4″ long by 1/4″ wide and typically have 4 ribs and 3 grooves. However, another common belt is one that is flat, has 4 ribs, and is 79 1/8″ long by 1/4″ wide. |
Steam Dryer |
Steam dryer belts are often 92 1/4″ long and either 1/4″ or 1/2″ wide. Generally, they have 4 ribs and 3 grooves. |
Heat Pump Dryer |
Regular size heat pump dryers typically have belts that are 93 1/2″ long and either 1/4″ or 1/2″ wide. 4 ribs and 3 grooves. More compact sizes can have 76″ or 77 ½” long belts. |
Table of Common Dryer Belt Sizes
Below is table of some of the popular individual models of dryers that were researched to create the tables of common dryer belt sizes presented above.
Make | Model | Type | Drum Size | Belt Size | Belt Part Number |
Whirlpool | WED5620HW | Electric | 7.4 cu. ft. Capacity | 93 1/2″ long 1/4″ wide | 661570V (view on Amazon) |
Whirlpool | WED5000DW | Electric | 7 cu. ft. Capacity | 92 1/4″ long 1/4″ wide | 341241 |
Whirlpool | WGD6620HC | Steam, Gas | 7.4 cu. ft. Capacity | 93 1/2″ long 1/4” wide | 661570V (view on Amazon) |
Whirlpool | WHD560CHW | Heat Pump | 7.4 cu. ft. Capacity | 93 1/2″ long 1/4” wide | 661570V (view on Amazon) |
Whirlpool | WGD4985EW | Gas | 5.9 cu. ft. Capacity | 93 1/2″ long 1/4” wide | 661570V (view on Amazon) |
Whirlpool | WHD3090GW | Heat Pump | 4.3 cu. ft. Capacity | 79.13″ long | 461970110511 |
Whirlpool | WETLV27HW | Washer/Dryer Combo | 5.9 cu. ft. Dryer Capacity | 92-1/4″ long 1/4″ wide | 341241 |
LG | DLGX7901BE | Steam, Gas | 7.3 cu. ft. Capacity | 92 1/4″ long 1/2″ wide | 4400EL2001F (amazon link) |
LG | DLEX4500B | Steam, Electric | 7.4 cu. ft. Capacity | 92 1/4″ long 1/2″ wide | 4400EL2001F (amazon link) |
LG | DLHC1455W | Heat Pump | 4.2 cu. ft. Capacity | 76 1/10″ long | 4400EL1001C (amazon link) |
Samsung | DVE52A5500W/A3 | Steam, Electric | 7.4 cu. ft. Capacity | 92″ long 5/16” wide | 6602-001655 (amazon link) |
Samsung | DVE45T3200W/A3 | Electric | 7.2 cu. ft. Capacity | 92″ long 5/16” wide | 6602-001655 (amazon link) |
Bosch | WTG86402UC | Condenser | 4 cu. ft. Capacity | 77 1/3″ long | 00657917 (amazon link) |
Maytag | MED6200KW | Electric | 7 cu. ft. Capacity | 93 1/2″ long 1/4” wide | 661570V (view on Amazon) |
Maytag | MGD6200KW | Gas | 7 cu. ft. Capacity | 92-1/4″ long 1/4″ wide | 341241 |
Maytag | MED6230HC | Electric | 7.4 cu. ft. Capacity | 93 1/2″ long 1/4” wide | 661570V (view on Amazon) |
GE | GUD27GESNWW | Washer/Dryer Combo | 5.9 cu. ft. Dryer Capacity | 89.5” long | WE12M29 (view on Amazon) |
GE | GFD43ESSMWW | Electric | 7.5 cu. ft. Capacity | 89.5” long | WE12M29 (view on Amazon) |
GE | GTD45GASJWS | Gas | 7.2 cu. ft. Capacity | 89.5” long | WE03X29897 |
GE | GFD85GSSNWW | Steam, Gas | 7.8 cu. ft. Capacity | Likely 97.9″ long | WE03X29704 |
Sources
https://www.searspartsdirect.com/
https://www.a-1appliance.com/sections/maytag-appliance-parts