Home Improvement
Cabinets
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Updated on 08/06/23
Reviewed by
Kelly Bacon
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Reviewed byKelly Bacon
Kelly Bacon is a licensed general contractor with over 40 years of experience in construction, home building and remodeling, and commercial building. He is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
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Fact checked by
Jessica Wrubel
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Fact checked byJessica Wrubel
Jessica Wrubel has an accomplished background as a writer and copy editor, working for various publications, newspapers and in public libraries assisting with reference, research and special projects. In addition to her journalism experience, she has been educating on health and wellness topics for over 15 years in and outside of the classroom.
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/guide-to-common-kitchen-cabinet-sizes-1822029-hero-08f8ed3104a74600839ac5ef7471372e.jpg "Guide to Standard Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions and Sizes (4)")
In This Article
Base Cabinet Dimensions
Wall Cabinet Dimensions
Tall Cabinet Dimensions
FAQs
Standard cabinet sizes simplify kitchen design because the spacing is predictable. Most cabinet manufacturers follow the same set of kitchen cabinet dimensions for stock and semi-custom cabinets. Standard kitchen base cabinet widths are 12, 18, 24, 30, 33, 36, and 48 inches. Standard kitchen wall cabinet widths are 12 to 36 inches and standard heights are 30, 36, and 42 inches.
Each of the three major categories of kitchen cabinets—base cabinets, wall cabinets, and tall cabinets—has its own set of standard sizes. Kitchen base cabinets, for example, have a uniform depth of 24 inches and a height of 34-1/2 inches. While there is some overlap, these dimensions generally are not shared with other cabinet types.
This kitchen cabinet dimensions guide explains the most common standard cabinet sizes for kitchen base cabinets, wall cabinets, and tall cabinets.
Kitchen Base Cabinet Dimensions
Kitchen base cabinets are installed directly on the floor, so they heavily influence the room's footprint and overall flow. With a standard height of 34-1/2 inches and a depth of 24 inches, base cabinet sizes are consistent across most manufacturers. Base cabinet width is the only variable.
Kitchen base cabinets are vital in the cabinet system because they hold the sink and the countertop. Not only that but base cabinets provide storage for kitchenware, small appliances, and food items.
| Kitchen Base Cabinet Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height, without countertop | 34-1/2 inches |
| Height, with countertop | 35 to 36 inches |
| Depth (front to wall), without countertop | 24 inches |
| Depth, with countertop | 25 to 26 inches |
| Standard widths | 12, 18, 24, 30, 33, 36, 48 inches |
Kitchen Base Cabinet Height
Kitchen base cabinet height is 34-1/2 inches. Adding a countertop increases the base cabinet height to around 35 to 36 inches. A plywood underlay below the countertop material would add another 1/2-inch to the height.
Countertops can be as low as 32 inches and as high as 38 inches, but these heights require custom fabrication. Taller users may appreciate taller cabinets: The height of standard base cabinets can be raised with a custom box frame, which can be covered with a toe kick and molding.
Tip
Countertops should fit the user.For users with disabilities, base cabinets can be custom-made as low as 28 inches.
Kitchen Base Cabinet Depth
Kitchen base cabinets are generally 24 inches deep, not counting the expected countertop overhang. Including the countertop overhang, the finished depth of kitchen base cabinets is 25 to 26 inches. Edge detailing may slightly increase or decrease the distance of the overhang.
Deeper base cabinets are found in kitchen island assemblies when the cabinets are placed back-to-back and accessible from each side. Otherwise, 24 inches is the maximum depth for base cabinets to remain easily usable. This is especially the case with cabinet blind corners, where two cabinets meet at a right angle. Placing cabinets at right angles increases their depth.
Tip
RTA or ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets reduce the cost of kitchen remodeling by sharing some of the assembly work with the homeowner. Flat-packed cabinets are less expensive to ship than assembled cabinets, too, so savings are passed onto the buyer.
Kitchen Base Cabinet Width
Kitchen base cabinet widths generally are 30, 33, 36, and 48 inches. Base cabinets ranging from 9 to 24 inches are available, as well. These are filler cabinets that can accommodate pull-outs—narrow rolling racks for easy access to baking pans or spices.
| Kitchen Base Cabinet Widths | |
|---|---|
| Dimension (Inches) | Base Cabinet Type |
| 9, 12, 18, 24 inches | Filler cabinets and narrow cabinets |
| 30 inches | Single basin sink |
| 33 inches | Double-basin, offset sink |
| 36 inches | Double-basin sink |
| 48 inches | The largest base cabinet size commonly found in kitchens |
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Kitchen Wall Cabinet Dimensions
Kitchen wall cabinet widths range from 12 to 36 inches. Wall cabinet depths start at 12 inches and max out at 24 inches. Wall cabinet heights can be as short as 12 inches and as tall as 42 inches.
Kitchen wall cabinets are the most visible type of cabinet. They're also the kitchen cabinets that get the most use. Attached directly to the wall studs with screws, wall cabinets are used for storing food and lightweight kitchen implements. In some cases, wall cabinets are hung from the ceiling to provide storage for peninsulas or kitchen islands.
| Kitchen Wall Cabinet Standard Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Standard heights | 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 inches |
| Standard depths | 12, 15, 18, 24 inches |
| Standard widths | 12 to 36 inches |
Kitchen Wall Cabinet Height
Kitchen wall cabinet heights are 12, 15, 36, and 42 inches. In most kitchens, the wall cabinets are typically 30 or 36 inches tall. The space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling can be left open or it can be enclosed by soffits.
A 12- or 15-inch tall wall cabinet fits over a refrigerator. This provides a narrow space between the fridge and the bottom of the cabinet. The top of the cabinet will usually touch and be attached to the kitchen ceiling.
Tip
Kitchen wall cabinets are usually installed over countertops. Wall cabinets are typically 18 inches above the base cabinets (measured from the top of the countertop to the bottom of the cabinet).
Kitchen Wall Cabinet Depth
Kitchen wall cabinets are usually 12 inches deep since this provides a compromise between accessibility and the need for as much storage space as possible.
The maximum depth for wall cabinets is 24 inches because it cannot exceed the depth of the base cabinets. Cabinets shallower 24 inches are more common in order to maximize working space on the countertop. Due to the depth of most refrigerators, wall cabinets placed above fridges need to match or be close to the depth of the fridge.
Tip
One way to trim the cost of kitchen cabinets is to purchase basic cabinets for the base cabinetry, and then splurge on the more visible cabinets—the wall cabinets—with features like premium kitchen cabinet materials, glass inserts, or in-cabinet lighting.
Kitchen Wall Cabinet Width
Kitchen wall cabinet widths run from 12 inches to 36 inches but can be as narrow as 9 inches or as wide as 48 inches. The 30-inch single-or double-door wall cabinet is common as this affords the best proportions for most storage needs.
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Kitchen Tall Cabinet Dimensions
Kitchens often have a tall cabinet installed in an alcove near the refrigerator. Tall cabinets are sometimes known as pantry cabinets or utility cabinets. As befits the name, tall kitchen cabinets can even extend from the floor to the ceiling.
| Kitchen Tall Cabinet Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height | 84 or 96 inches |
| Depth | 12 or 24 inches |
| Width | 12, 24, or 36 inches |
Kitchen Tall Cabinet Height
Tall kitchen cabinets are typically 84 or 96 inches tall, and 90 inches is a common height for kitchen cabinets. A 96-inch tall cabinet will run from the floor to the ceiling in a standard 8-foot-high room. An 84-inch-tall cabinet provides a foot of space and can offer a uniform line with surrounding wall cabinets.
Kitchen Tall Cabinet Depth
Kitchen wall cabinets are usually either 12 inches or 24 inches deep. The 12-inch depth is used for pantry cabinets that store canned goods. The 24-inch-deep cabinet is an ideal utility cabinet for brooms, mops, and small appliances. Pull-out and slider hardware can give greater functionality to 24-inch-deep cabinets.
Kitchen Tall Cabinet Width
Tall cabinets are typically 12, 24, and 36 inches wide. The 12-inch-wide tall cabinet is common for narrow kitchen pantry cabinets and can hold a substantial amount of food items, while still fitting into tight space. The 24-inch-wide tall cabinet doubles the amount of pantry storage space. The 36-inch-wide tall cabinet is wide enough to accommodate pull-outs and storage on the doors.
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FAQ
What are standard kitchen cabinet sizes?
Standard kitchen cabinet sizes for base cabinet widths are 12, 18, 24, 30, 33, 36, and 48 inches. For upper kitchen wall cabinets, common widths are 12 to 36 inches. Standard heights for wall cabinets are 30, 36, and 42 inches.
How deep should kitchen cabinets be?
Kitchen base cabinets are 24 inches deep. Kitchen wall cabinets are typically 12 inches deep, though a 24-inch depth is common for wall cabinets installed over refrigerators.
What is the standard distance between the countertop and upper cabinets?
An 18-inch span is standard as the distance between the top of the countertop and the bottom of the upper cabinets. Distances from 15 to 20 inches are not uncommon, though.
How high should a shelf be above a countertop?
A shelf should be 15 to 20 inches above the countertop. Shelf height placement is not as rigid as wall cabinet placement because they have no upper limit (other than the shelf and its items). Locate a shelf above a countertop at a height that works comfortably for all users.
Basic Steps of Kitchen Remodeling
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