Are you remodeling your kitchen and confused about the various standard kitchen cabinet dimensions? Come and explore this helpful guide to get a better understanding of the right measurements you need for your kitchen cabinets. You’ll never have to worry again about incorrect measurements when designing your dream kitchen!
Cabinet Heights
Cabinet heights are measured in inches and can typically range from 12 to 42 inches high. You should keep the following heights in mind when designing a kitchen:
- Base Cabinets: Base cabinets are usually 24 inches deep and 34 1/2 to 36 inches high. However, you can find taller cabinets at 36 to 42 inches, which are referred to as tall or wall cabinets.
- Upper Cabinets: Upper cabinets hang above the countertop and are referred to as wall, tall or overhead. These are available in depths of 12, 15, and 18 inches, with the most common depths being either 15 or 18. Common heights for upper cabinets range from 12 (accommodating ceiling heights up to 8 feet) to 42 inches high (accommodating ceiling heights up to 12 feet).
- Microwave Cabinets: The standard height of a microwave cabinet is usually 16 1/2″ from the floor, but depending on your needs it can range from 15″ up to 48″.
Base Cabinet Widths
Base Cabinet Widths typically run between 12″ and -48″ wide in 3” increments. Common cabinet width measurements found in today’s kitchens include:
- 9″
- 12″
- 15″
- 18″
- 24″
- 30″
- 36″
- 48″
Wider kitchen cabinets can be constructed on-site and have several drawers or a single door.
Depth measurements for these cabinets are generally standard at 21″ to accommodate a 25″ countertop with a 1-1/2″ overhang. Approximately one inch of this depth is given to the thickness of the door and drawer fronts. Today’s standard wall-mounted cabinets are available in depths around 24″ so that the overall measurement matches that of a kitchen counter (25″).
When ordering standard base cabinets online always check product dimensions carefully. Custom-made variations may be available if exact sizes are required or desired along with special corner cabinet designs or angled options if needed for a specific space in your layout.
Wall Cabinet Widths
The standard widths of wall cabinets range from nine to 48 inches, with 12, 15, 18, 24, and 36 inches being the most common. The minimum height of a wall cabinet is 30 inches above the countertop. This measurement is referred to as upper cabinet height; base cabinets are 12 to 34 1/2 inches high.
The standard depths of kitchen cabinets depend on their type and design use but generally range from 12 to 24 inches deep. Wall and tall cabinet depths typically come in increments of 3 inches; most are either 12 or 15 inches deep but you may find 9-inch shallow models for storing small items. Base cabinets measure up to 36 inches deep and 28 ½” for standard countertop depth applications. For islands or other areas with a higher countertop, consider using 42-inch tall cabinets instead of 36-inch ones with deeper countertops.
Wall cabinet dimensions are based on the size specified by the manufacturer plus an extra 1 ½” for overlap (1 ⅛” if side mounting). Most manufacturers actually add an additional 1″ at the top and bottom plus an extra 2″ on narrow cabinets making them 33″ tall overall (30 x 33) when installed with legs/toe kick panels rather than full overlay doors (32 x 32).
Tall Cabinet Dimensions
Knowing the standard tall cabinet dimensions is an important part of your kitchen remodel. A tall cabinet is a type of cabinetry typically found above a refrigerator or stove in order to maximize storage and utilization of space.
The exact measurements of tall cabinets vary based on the specific layout and flow of the room, but most are approximately 84 inches high by 24 inches deep. Tall cabinets often come in widths ranging from 12 inches to 42 inches, depending on design preference.
To obtain the greatest use from a high cabinet, it is important to make sure that all items, racks, shelves, and drawers fit comfortably within it without crowding each other when opened.
Corner Cabinet Dimensions
A corner cabinet is one of the most difficult pieces of kitchen cabinetry to fit properly. Corner cabinets are made in five standard sizes, usually referred to as abbreviations for their dimensions. The most commonly used sizes are 15×15, 24×30, 30×30 and 33×42 inches.
- 15” x 15” Corner Cabinets: These are small corner cabinets that are typically used in a very small kitchen. They can have either one or two doors, with some versions having a single door located directly on the corner of the cabinet. These are normally not deep enough for full use of the entire space since side walls usually limit their total depth to 12 inches or less.
- 24” x 30” Corner Cabinets: This is a very common size for a corner cabinet used in an average size kitchen. Good storage can be achieved with this type of cabinet if it is placed correctly and not overrun with appliance or gadgetry storage needs as compared to other lower wall cabinets that offer more overall space.
- 30” x 30” Corner Cabinets: This slightly larger version has become popular because they provide increased storage depth while still maximizing useable often hard-to-reach corner space which cannot be accessed by adjacent wall or base cabinets that do not touch the corner itself and sacrificing wall cabinet shelf space elsewhere due to insufficient means of reaching and using those shelves from far away locations within a run of multiple adjacent cabinet cubbies or openings.
Drawer Base Cabinet Dimensions
Drawer base cabinets are the perfect type of kitchen cabinet for storing a variety of items. They come in a range of standard sizes, so you can find one that fits your floor plan and space requirements. Below is a breakdown of the most common drawer base cabinet sizes:
- 18″ Width: This size drawer base cabinet is appropriate for kitchens that are on the smaller side and need to maximize every inch of storage space. 18″ cabinets are also an excellent choice for laundry rooms or bathrooms as they provide ample storage without taking up too much physical space.
- 24″ Width: This is the most popular width for drawer base cabinets. There is no shortage of items you can store in 24″ wide drawers and you have the added benefit that extra space available when expanding into 24” drawer cabinets will help make your kitchen look larger and more organized.
- 30” Width: These large drawers offer plenty of room for bigger items such as baking sheets or large pots and pans. 30″ wide drawers are great for kitchens with plenty of room to spare, but can still be adapted to small spaces by purchasing cabinets with shallow depths or opt for double-decker style drawer bases instead.
- 36” Width: If you really need some extra storage, 36” wide drawers can accommodate garbage cans, bottles, crockery, or even small appliances – perfect if your kitchen layout means you don’t have access to countertop appliance storage!
Sink Base Cabinet Dimensions
When it comes to standard kitchen cabinet dimensions, sink base cabinet sizes are some of the most important. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen or just replacing the cabinets, it’s important to make sure you get the right size cabinets for your space. The correct size also depends on what type of cabinetry you’re installing.
Most sink base cabinets measure 33-36 inches in height and 24 inches in depth. The width will usually range from 15-36 inches depending on the space available and whether a single or double sink is being installed. Generally, single sinks require a minimum of 18-36 inch cabinet width, while a double sink requires a 36-inches base for optimal functioning and stability in your kitchen space.
These measurements leave plenty of room for a full range of plumbing fixtures needed for the particular sink installation you choose.
Additionally, there may be a 16-18 inch gap between wall cabinet heights and diagonal/corner cabinets that have been near countertops since countertops have an extra 3/4 inch thickness which translates into 1 1/2-inch total extra height when measured from the bottom of the wall cabinet to the countertop surface, depending on your particular model.
Depending on available space in a corner or diagonal installation configurations, an additional allowance may be necessary to accommodate the height difference when measuring overall cabinet sizes or designing specific cabinetry plans for standard installation configurations prior to purchasing any materials.
Conclusion
When deciding on kitchen cabinetry, it’s important to measure carefully and consider the overall layout of your kitchen. It’s also helpful to be familiar with the standard measurements used in kitchen cabinetry so you know what size of cabinet will fit in which space.
- The standard depth of a kitchen cabinet is 24 inches, though some can be as shallow as 12 inches.
- Standard upper cabinet heights are usually 30-42 inches, with a few options at 18 inches or 48 inches.
- Wall cabinets typically run 12-48 inches high and 12-30 inches wide.
- Base cabinets are available in heights of 34½ and 36.
As always, consult with a professional cabinet provider for help determining the best dimensions for your space before making any purchases or installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the standard kitchen cabinet dimensions?
Standard kitchen cabinet dimensions are typically 24 inches deep, 36 inches high, and 12–48 inches wide.
What is an upper cabinet height?
The standard upper cabinet height is usually 18–42 inches above the countertop and 36 inches above the floor.
What is the standard height for base cabinets?
The standard height for base cabinets is 34–36 inches.
