The cross-section of the waterway is normally trapezoidal, with 31m width at the bottom, 55m width at the water surface, 4m of water depth, and a side grade of 1:3 (i.e., 4x3x2=24 which is just the difference between top and bottom widths).
The length of the canal is 171km; the summit elevation (between the Hilpoltstein and Bachhausen locks) is 406m above sea level.