The objective of this study was to describe typical free stall design in Norway and to evaluate the effect of free stall design on free stall cleanliness. In 232 Norwegian free-stalled dairy herds, trained observers scored cleanliness for 15 random stalls in each herd. The cubicle floor was divided into 7 sectors and the cleanliness of each sector were scored using a five graded scale reflecting the contaminated area of each section (0:clean, 1 75%). Three types of contamination were registered; dirt fallen on stall base, dirt following feet into the stall, and dirt splashing onto the stall base. Mean stall base length was 239.5±23.9 cm when placed against wall or 222.7±12.4 cm in a double row. Mean height of the neck rail was 106.8±4.7 cm. Most contamination was observed in the 0.6 m section closest to the rear end of the stall. There was a significant correlation between cleanliness and free stall design where the position of the neck rail, width, the height of the stall base and design of the front were of major importance. A long horizontal distance from neck rail to the end against the alley, a low stall base, and a less open front construction, gave a more dirty cow and free stall. The lower head rail had no influence on stall cleanliness measured as dirt fallen directly into the stall.