If you're not an architect, ordering the correct size kitchen cabinets might seem overwhelming. Without the correct cabinet sizes and dimensions, you risk non-functional cabinetry in your kitchen. This heavily trafficked area needs calculated measurements so you and your guests are able to move freely around the kitchen without bumping into edges. Every inch counts!
There are a few factors to consider when designing the perfect kitchen cabinets including the use, price, and style—but none as important as the size of your cabinets. If you're a builder, contractor, or industry professional, take advantage of our discount for kitchen contractors.
| Base Kitchen Cabinet | Wall Kitchen Cabinet | Tall Kitchen Cabinet |
|---|---|---|
| Height: 24-34 1/2" Width: 9-42" Depth: 24" | Height: 30, 36, 42" Width: 12-36" Depth: 12, 24" | Height: 84, 90, 96" Width: 18 or 24", up to 36" Depth: 12 or 24" |
| Base Kitchen Cabinet |
|---|
| Height: 24-34 1/2" Width: 9-42" Depth: 24" |
| Wall Kitchen Cabinet |
| Height: 30, 36, 42" Width: 12-36" Depth: 12, 24" |
| Tall Kitchen Cabinet |
| Height: 84, 90, 96" Width: 18 or 24", up to 36" Depth: 12 or 24" |
If you need an extra hand with your kitchen layout and planning, simply fill our our free design form. We'll work with you to create a kitchen layout, item list, and price quote tailored towards your needs.
Base Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions
Base cabinets serve as the base or foundation for countertops and other surfaces. They rest on the floor and typically come with one drawer and a set of shelves or a few drawers stacked on top of one another, depending on your needs and preferences.
Since base cabinets are installed on the floor, they tend to do all the heavy lifting, with counters and sinks installed on top of them. They also attach to dishwashers, ranges, and other common kitchen appliances.
If you are looking to pick and choose which cabinets to install, the base cabinet is one that simply cannot be skipped, since it is essentially the building block upon which everything else is placed.
Base Cabinet w/o Countertops
Base Cabinet w/ Countertops
Standard Base Cabinet Sizes
- Height: Typically, standard base cabinets measure 34 1/2" H and 36" H from the floor to the top of the countertop when a countertop is installed. The toe kick portion of the cabinet is 4 1/2" H, the standard door height is 24" H, and the top drawer height is 6" H (equaling 34 1/2" H total). Three-drawer base cabinets have a 6" H top drawer and bottom/middle drawer styles are 12" H with a 4 1/2" H toe kick.
- Width: The width of a standard base cabinet will come in multiples of threes between 9 inches and 42 inches. Depending on the use, this size will vary substantially.
- Depth: The depth of base cabinets without a countertop is 24 inches. Base cabinets have a standard depth for easy access. When adding a countertop, there is often an overhang that can add another inch or two.
Full Height Base Cabinet Sizes
- Height: Full height base cabinets will typically have doors approximately 30" H each.
- Width: Standard widths for base cabinets start at 9" with 3" intervals up to 36 inches.
- Depth: The standard depth for full height base cabinets is 24 inches. For islands and applications where wall obstacles prevent a full cabinet depth, the cabinets are reduced in 3" intervals down to 12" as needed.
| Use: | Durability: |
|---|---|
| Attach to dishwashers, ranges, and other common kitchen appliances. | Installed on the floor and serve as the base for countertops, sinks, and other heavy surfaces. |
| Use: |
|---|
| Attach to dishwashers, ranges, and other common kitchen appliances. |
| Durability: |
| Installed on the floor and serve as the base for countertops, sinks, and other heavy surfaces. |
Wall Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions
Wall cabinets are designed to store kitchen supplies and food items. When compared to base cabinets, wall cabinets offer a lot more diversity in sizing. Choosing the right height for your wall cabinets really comes down to the height of your kitchen ceiling and your personal preferences.
For proper installation, please make sure to plan and install your cabinets 54" from the floor to the bottom of the wall cabinet. When subtracting the 36" height of a base cabinet including countertop, this leaves 18" of height. This is the standard height for a backsplash.
Height
Typically, wall cabinets are available in 30", 36", and 42". These cabinets fit between the base cabinets and the ceiling. 30" tall cabinets will top align at 84" height, 36" height cabinets will top align at 90" H, and 42" H cabinets will top align at 96" H.
Width
A standard wall cabinet will vary in multiples of threes between 12 inches and 36 inches. Our assembled cabinets and ready to assemble cabinets also include widths of 5 inches and 9 inches in some styles. The width of a wall cabinet can vary to allow for single or double doors.
Depth
Wall cabinets typically have a depth of 12 inches or 24 inches. Wall cabinets cannot surpass the depth of a base cabinet.
| Use: | Durability: |
|---|---|
| Designed to store kitchen supplies and food items, wall kitchen cabinets do not touch the ground and offer various sizes. | Wall cabinets are mounted with screws on wall studs and are therefore less durable than base cabinets. |
| Use: |
|---|
| Designed to store kitchen supplies and food items, wall kitchen cabinets do not touch the ground and offer various sizes. |
| Durability: |
| Wall cabinets are mounted with screws on wall studs and are therefore less durable than base cabinets. |
When selecting the wall cabinet sizes, take any crown molding on top of your kitchen cabinets into account.
- If your kitchen has an 8 foot ceiling with a 12 inch height soffit remaining or for 8 foot ceiling kitchens that prefer the cabinets do not reach the ceiling, 30 inch high wall cabinets should be used.
- If you have an 8 foot ceiling and you'd like to use crown molding finished to the ceiling, 36 inch high wall cabinets should be used. Note that the top of 36 inch cabinets align at 90 inches high, so a stacked molding or other traditional and atypical moldings are used to make up the additional 6 inches.
- If the kitchen has a 9 foot ceiling, the largest standard size wall cabinets, 42 inches high, are used. When using 42 inch cabinets in an 8 foot ceiling there will be no room left for a crown molding. Instead, you can use a small height crown molding and drop the cabinets 1 1/2-2 inches, but you'll sacrifice the backsplash height.
Standard cabinet depth is 12 inches. 24 inch deep cabinets are used over the refrigerator for easier access. When designing a kitchen with staggered heights by making cabinets taller, you should also make them 3 inches deeper. To determine the correct height for wall cabinets above a range, compare the height of the other wall cabinets.
| Wall Cabinet Height | ||
|---|---|---|
| 30" | 36" | 42" |
| Microwave | ||
|---|---|---|
| 12" H Above Range | 18" H Above Range | 24" H Above Range |
| Pan Hood | ||
|---|---|---|
| 18" H Above Range | 24" H Above Range | 30" H Above Range |
Tall Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions
Reaching up to 96 inches, tall cabinets are typically used as a pantry space, with various storage options and oven cabinets.
To select the correct pantry for your space, use an 84 inch high pantry with 30 inch high wall cabinets, 90 inch pantry with 36 inch high cabinets, and 96 inch high pantry with 42 inch wall cabinets.
Height
Tall cabinets are typically 84" H, 90" H, and 96" H. The height of these cabinets will vary depending on your ceiling height and your preference to have space between the cabinet and ceiling or not.
Width
When working with stock cabinet lines, pantry widths are typically limited to 18" wide or 24" wide. However, when working with semi-custom cabinet manufacturers, pantry cabinets range from 9" W in 3" W intervals up to 36" wide. Tall oven cabinets are typically 30" W to 36" W to fit most standard size single oven widths on the market.
Depth
Tall pantries are most commonly 24" deep, but 12" options are common for tighter spaces.
| Use: | Durability: |
|---|---|
| Typically used for pantry space, storage, or oven cabinets. | Extend from floor to ceiling and may include pullouts and drawers for added functionality. |
| Use: |
|---|
| Typically used for pantry space, storage, or oven cabinets. |
| Durability: |
| Extend from floor to ceiling and may include pullouts and drawers for added functionality. |
If you're ordering a double oven or oven/microwave combo appliance, be sure to carefully check the cut-out dimensions before purchasing the wall oven cabinet. In many cases, for these types of appliances, it's necessary to remove two of the bottom drawers of the tall oven cabinet to allow for the additional height necessary to install the appliance properly inside the cabinet.
Kitchen Cabinet Size FAQs
Kitchen cabinet sizing can get complicated depending on your needs. Below are some frequently asked questions to help you create a functional and eye-catching space.
How far should the cabinets be from the ceiling?
An 8-foot ceiling with a 12 inch soffit will need 30 inch cabinets. An 8-foot ceiling with a crown molding finish will typically use 36 inch cabinets. For an 8-foot ceiling, you would need 42 inch cabinets.
What is the standard size of kitchen cabinet doors?
Kitchen cabinet door heights are typically between 24 and 30 inches. If the base cabinet features a drawer, the door height below it the drawer is typically 24 inches. If the cabinet is a full height base cabinet (one that only includes a door), the door is typically 30 inches tall.
What size cabinet goes over a stove?
Take note of any crown molding above your kitchen cabinets, as well as the height of the other wall cabinets. See the table in our ‘Wall Kitchen Cabinets' section for details.
How do I measure kitchen cabinets?
Taking accurate measurements are an important step to functional kitchen design. Learn how to measure your kitchen with our step-by-step guide.
What are standard kitchen cabinet depths?
The standard depth for full height base cabinets is 24 inches deep. For islands and applications where wall obstacles prevent full cabinet depth options, it is common that base cabinets are reduced in 3 inch intervals down to 12 inches deep, as needed.
How deep should upper cabinets be?
Standard wall cabinet depth is 12 inches, and 24 inches deep over the refrigerator to allow easier access. When designing a kitchen with a staggered height cabinet look, it is important that you make taller cabinets 3 to 15 inches deeper. This allows room for crown moldings of the shorter height cabinets to finish nicely into the side of the cabinet, and not block the door opening of the taller cabinet.
If you are about to embark on the process of replacing your cabinets with some fresh and updated models, the staff at Kitchen Cabinet Kings is here to help you. To start, check out our kitchen measurement guide. Whether you are looking for an in-depth understanding of cabinet dimensions or you want some expert advice when choosing the perfect cabinets for you and your family, we will offer assistance on all these matters and more.
For free 3D design advice, simply fill out a kitchen design form. If you have designed your own kitchen before, you know nothing beats having a team of kitchen design professionals on your side. When you use our free design service, we'll create a carefully customized and functional kitchen layout that revolves around your specific room dimensions, preferences, and needs. We look forward to helping you find cabinets fit for royalty at a price that everyone can afford.
FAQs
What are the standard dimensions for kitchen cabinets? ›
Standard kitchen cabinet heights include 12, 15, 18, 30, 36 and 42 inches tall; depth ranges from 12 to 18 inches. Typically installed 18 inches above countertops, 54 inches above floor and 24 inches above stove.
How do I know what size kitchen cabinets I need? ›The wall cabinets depend on what ceiling height you have in your kitchen. 8 feet high kitchens with a 12-inch soffit will need 30-inch high wall cabinets. 8 feet high kitchens with room for crown molding will need 36-inch high cabinets. 8 feet or higher kitchens will need 42-inch wall cabinets.
How do you list cabinet dimensions? ›Common cabinet dimensions list first by width, and then height and depth. When you decide to redo your kitchen, one thing you will probably want to do is replace your old, dingy and worn-out cabinets.
What is the most acceptable width of kitchen cabinet in a house? ›Kitchen Wall Cabinet Width
Wall cabinet widths run from 9 to 48 inches in 3-inch increments, though it is rare to install cabinets wider than 36 inches. Most common is the 30-inch side single-or double-door wall cabinet, which offers the best proportions for most storage needs.
Depth: A cabinet's depth is typically either 12 or 24 inches. The 24-inch depths are commonly used for base cabinets, while the 12-inch deep boxes are used for wall cabinets. A deep cabinet can be manufactured in shallower cabinets aren't work for your existing kitchen needs.
How many inches should be between upper and lower kitchen cabinets? ›What Is the Standard Height for Upper Kitchen Cabinets? How high to hang kitchen cabinets is a personal preference, but most contractors agree that 18″ from countertop to the bottom of the cabinets is best. This is considered an ideal working space.
How many cabinets are in a standard 10x10 kitchen? ›The standard 10x10 cabinet collection often has 10-12 specifically sized cabinets in total, including base, wall, and tall cabinets plus accessories (toe kicks, etc.), most often to fit an L-shaped kitchen layout.
Why are Ikea base cabinets only 30? ›Since base cabinets occupy floor space, they effectively define the footprint of your kitchen. All base kitchen cabinets are 30 inches high. After adding the legs and toe kick, the total height becomes 34.5 inches. Adding a countertop brings the full height to 36 inches.
How many inches should cabinets be from countertop? ›The Standard Kitchen Cabinet Height
Past cabinets show that it is standard to install cabinets about 18 inches off the countertop, but it's becoming more popular to hang cabinets a bit higher for more space, such as 20 inches or more.
All box dimensions are written as length x width x height. For example, 14" x 11" x 4" means 14" (L) x 11" (W) x 4" (H)".
Do cabinet dimensions include doors? ›
General Sizing Specifications
These depths are from the back of the cabinet to the front of the face frame and do not include the thickness of the door and drawer front.
- Reduce Traffic. ...
- Make the Distance between Main Fixtures Comfortable. ...
- Make Sure the Kitchen Island Isn't too Close or too Far. ...
- Place the Sink First. ...
- Always Put the Stove on an Exterior Wall. ...
- Keep Vertical Storage in Mind. ...
- Create a Floor Plan and Visualize Your Kitchen in 3D.
Upper cabinets are starting to disappear from kitchens, and I'm not sure how to feel about it. It all started with the open-shelving phenomenon, and now, in some cases, it has morphed into this total lack of anything structural above the countertops. On the one hand, it is visually beautiful.
How wide is too wide for a kitchen cabinet door? ›These limits have evolved over time to insure that the cabinets and the doors will be reliable and trouble-free. The rule-of-thumb is that door heights of up-to 60 inches are seldom a reliability problem. Door widths, however should be kept to under 24-inches.
Do 42 cabinets go to the ceiling? ›Cabinets come in standard sizes, and to reach the ceiling, you will need to figure out what size works best. Most kitchen ceilings are 8 to 9 feet high. You can likely use 42-inch tall wall cabinets, with 12-inch additions on top if needed, to achieve the height you want. You can fill any gaps with crown moulding.
What is the minimum distance between cabinets? ›The recommended distance between kitchen work areas, which can include both perimeter countertops and kitchen islands: 42 inches minimum in a single-cook kitchen. 48 inches minimum in a kitchen where more than one cook may be working.
What type of kitchen cabinets are best? ›The best material for kitchen cabinetry is solid wood. However, solid wood contracts and expands, so we recommend choosing cabinets made of engineered wood. The best wood for kitchen wall cabinets is engineered wood because it's one of the most reliable materials. Also, it is less expensive than solid wood.
How deep are kitchen cabinets with countertops? ›Countertop depth standard measure is 25 ½ inches, though this varies based on appliance depths, room size, base cabinet size, and the backsplash details. Having a standard depth countertop helps maximize your space and enhances the look of your kitchen. Cabinet depth standard measure is 24 inches.
Do upper cabinets need to align with lower cabinets? ›Not really – upper and lower cabinets in your kitchen don't always have to match. You have complete control over the appearance of your kitchen and cabinetry. Upper and base cabinets can match if you want them to. However, if you want to add variation to your space, they don't have to match.
Should upper and lower cabinets be the same depth? ›There is no set rule, upper cabinets aren't made in any one specific height or width, even the depth can vary. It is true that generally upper cabinets tend to be shallower than lower ones.
Should you install the upper or lower cabinet first in a kitchen and why? ›
Always install the upper cabinets before the lower cabinets. This way you won't have to awkwardly work over the lower cabinets, risking damaging them in the process. Once you've assembled the cabinets according to the manufacturer's instructions, remove the doors if attached and set them out of harm's way.
Is a 10x12 kitchen small? ›A 10-by-12 kitchen is a small area with limited floor space. Numerous remodeling options include actually expanding a small kitchen's physical size, increasing its efficiency, improving the aesthetics and making it feel and look more spacious.
Is it cheaper to buy cabinets or have them built? ›While building your own cabinets saves about 66%, the cost of tools and time eats into this significantly for someone who is not an experienced woodworker.
Can you put an island in a 10x10 kitchen? ›Can I put an island in a 10x10 kitchen? A 10ˈx10ˈ can have an island if there is enough space. A 10ˈx10ˈ kitchen is an "L-shaped" kitchen and the middle floor space area is a perfect spot - if there are no walls in the way.
Is it cheaper to use IKEA cabinets? ›Yup, they really are pretty significantly less expensive than other cabinet options, especially custom cabinets. But this will really depend on the size of your kitchen and the extra fixings you throw in.
What cabinets are easiest to keep clean? ›An angled or bullnosed (rounded) outside edge, angled inside edge and flat panel are easiest to clean because there are less crevices to trap dirt, and dust can't settle easily on the vertical surfaces.
Are frameless cabinets less sturdy? ›Frameless cabinets are less sturdy than framed cabinets. The hardwood face frame on framed cabinets serves to greatly reinforce the sidewalls to which they are anchored—an advantage that is missing from frameless cabinets. Frameless cabinets, especially economy types, may not last as long as framed cabinets.
Do kitchen cabinets go to the ceiling? ›Cabinets, including crown molding, will go all the way to the ceiling with one wall cabinet. The kitchen cabinets and molding do not go to the ceiling and the wall cabinets and trim will be just below the ceiling.
How much overhang should cabinets have? ›A countertop overhang provides a lip that extends beyond the front of your cabinets. The purpose of a standard overhang (usually about 1 1/2 inches) is to prevent liquid spills from dribbling down the face of your cabinets and to keep crumbs from finding their way into the drawers and cupboards below.
How deep is the average kitchen cabinet? ›Depth- 12-24 inches. Standard wall cabinets are generally 24 inches in depth.
What is the #1 rule of dimensioning? ›
Rule #1 of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing states that the form of a regular feature of size is controlled by its “limits of size.” Limits of size, or otherwise known as size tolerances, can be seen in many forms. A few of them are symmetric, unilateral, and bilateral.
What are the basic dimensioning guidelines? ›Include overall dimensions in the three principle directions – length, width, and height. a. Overall dimensions should be placed the greatest distance away from the object so that intermediate dimensions can nest closer to the object to avoid crossing extension lines.
What order are size dimensions listed? ›When you tell us the dimensions of the box, they need to be in this order, Length x Width x Depth.
How much bigger should a cabinet door be than the opening? ›Add 1 inch to both the width and the height of each opening size measurement. For example, a 14" x 30" cabinet opening should now read 15" x 31". This technique allows for a 1/2" overlay of cabinet door openings. If you order by cabinet order size alone, your doors will be too small.
What is the best thickness for kitchen cabinets? ›Domestic plywood used in cabinetry can be commonly found in thicknesses of 5/32 inch and up, but for the purposes of a frameless cabinet ANSI HP-1 nominal ¾-inch thick panels are ideal.
What is standard cabinet height and width? ›Standard Cabinet Width. 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 26.25, 27, 30, 33, 26, 39 and 42-inches. Filler cabinets come in 6 and 9 inch widths. Standard cabinet height for base cabinets is almost invariably 34.5 inches.
What is the standard size for upper kitchen cabinets? ›What is the standard size for upper kitchen Cabinets? The average wall or upper kitchen cabinets are 30”-42” in Height, 12”-24” in Depth, and 9”-36” in Width.
What are the upper cabinet sizes? ›The standard upper cabinet sizes are various. Heights vary from 15 to 42 inches, while the depths are 12 to 24 inches. Standard widths are 9 to 48 inches in general.