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3-Step Guide to Standard Kitchen Cabinet Size and Dimension

Unless you live in a recently built or renovated home, you’ve likely gazed around your Kitchen more than once and dreamed about a remodel. It’s in our human nature to want to customize and personalize our surroundings. As space where many of us spend a great deal of our “home time,” our kitchens are top targets for this driving force. According to Psychology, we are happier when we control our environment, so re-designing your Kitchen is one way to exert that control – to create a warm and inviting space at the heart of the home.

Before you take on that remodel, it’s worth understanding standard dimensions for kitchen cabinets. With this information and accurate measurements for your Kitchen, you can design the right layout for new kitchen cabinets.

3 types of standard kitchen cabinets

A standard full set of kitchen cabinets includes wall cabinets, base cabinets, and tall cabinets. Wall cabinets are the upper cabinets placed above the counter and secured to the studs in the wall. Base cabinets are the lower set of cabinets that provide the foundation for your countertops. Tall cabinets are full-height cabinets used as broom closets or pantries. Each of these kitchen cabinet types is available in a range of standard sizes.

Dimensions for upper kitchen cabinets

wall cabinets
Your wall cabinets are the focal point of your Kitchen. Homeowners often add glass front doors, decorative pulls, or semi-custom door fronts to personalize the look of upper wall cabinets. Kitchen wall cabinets store dishware, glassware, smaller appliances, or food.

Standard heights for upper wall cabinets are 30, 36, or 42 inches. Installed over your base cabinets and backsplash, the top of your wall cabinets will be at 84, 90, or 96 inches when measured from the floor. Wall cabinets can extend up to the ceiling, or you can leave space above the cabinet to customize with crown molding or decorative items on the top of your cabinets.

For the space over the refrigerator or range, standard cabinet heights are 12, 15, and 18 inches.

upper wall cabinet

Standard widths for wall cabinets are 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 inches. You can also find smaller versions in 3-, 6- and 9-inch widths for an extra pantry, spice rack, or store cookware or serving trays. These small cabinets install at the end of a cabinet run or tuck in next to appliances – in space that would otherwise be covered over with a wood front.

Wall cabinets are not as deep as base cabinets to leave room for a countertop work area, with standard depths of 12 or 24 inches. An exception is a cabinet placed over the refrigerator, usually flush with the fridge, and typically comes in a 24-inch depth.

If you opt for a desk or workstation area in the Kitchen with a wall cabinet above, you will install the wall cabinet, so the bottom is 54 inches from the floor or to line up with the other upper cabinets in the Kitchen.

Wall cabinets sizes and dimensions

Standard Cabinet Height 30, 36, or 42 inches based on your preferences and ceiling height.
Standard Cabinet Depth 12 or 24 inches.
Standard Cabinet Width 12, 15, 18, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 inches. Filler cabinets 3, 6, 9 inches.

Base cabinet dimensions

base kitchen cabinets

Sturdy and durable base cabinets form the foundation for your countertop and delineate different activities in your Kitchen. Base cabinets come in various looks and functions, with options that include double doors, single doors, drawers, or a combination of doors and drawers. Standard drawers have a depth of 6 inches.

Depending on your needs, you may opt for storage accessories to make blind corners or deep cabinets more accessible. Base cabinets typically house heavier cookware, appliances, and the sink. They are the type of cabinets installed on either side of your kitchen appliances.

Standard widths for base cabinets are 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 26.25, 27, 30, 33, 26, 39 and 42 inches. Where there would otherwise be dead space, you can add a small base cabinet (6 or 9 inches wide) to add storage.

Base Cabinets

The standard base cabinet height is 34.5 inches without the countertop. With the countertop added, the standard height comes to 36 inches.

The standard base cabinet is 24 inches deep, but specific base cabinet options are available in depths of 21 or 33 inches.

Base cabinet dimensions

Standard Cabinet Height 34.5 inches (36 inches with countertop)
Standard Cabinet Depth 21 or 24 inches; depth for a cabinet with a Lazy Susan is 33 inches.
Standard Cabinet Width 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 26.25, 27, 30, 33, 26, 39 and 42 inches. Filler cabinets in 6 and 9 inch widths.

Tall cabinet dimensions

Tall cabinet dimensions

Tall cabinets come in several different styles depending on the placement in your Kitchen. You may want a tall cabinet to enclose a built-in oven, small water heater, garbage, or one to serve as a pantry cabinet with four doors, double doors, and rollout shelves.

These cabinets are usually set next to an appliance or at the end of a cabinet run. They are the “bookends” of the Kitchen. Standard heights for tall cabinets are 84, 90, and 96 inches.

tall cabinets

The standard depth for a tall cabinet is 24 inches; standard widths include 18, 24, 30, and 33 inches.

Tall cabinet dimensions

Standard Cabinet Height 84, 90, 96 inches.
Standard Cabinet Depth 24 inches.
Standard Cabinet Width 18, 24, 30, 33 inches.

Knowing the range of standard cabinet size options, you can start measuring for your new kitchen cabinets.

Simply Kitchen offers a handy measuring guide if you’re unsure about how and what to measure. This guide will walk you through the process step by step to ensure you get an accurate measurement of your kitchen layout.

Download Handy Measuring Guide

6 frequently asked questions about standard kitchen cabinet sizes and dimensions.

How wide are standard kitchen cabinets?

  • Standard cabinet widths for upper kitchen cabinets are 12, 15, 18, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 inches.
  • Upper filler cabinets 3, 6, and 9 inches wide.
  • Standard base cabinet widths are 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 26.25, 27, 30, 33, 26, 39 and 42 inches.
  • Base filler cabinets in 6 and 9-inch widths.
  • Tall cabinet widths are 18, 24, 30, and 33 inches.

What is the standard kitchen cabinet size for upper kitchen cabinets?

Standard upper kitchen cabinets are 30, 36, or 42 inches in height and 12 or 24 inches in depth. They come in widths that range from 12, 15, 18, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 inches. Filler cabinets are available in 3-, 6- or 9-inch widths.

How do you measure for base cabinets?

Today’s building codes dictate that the standard kitchen cabinet height is 34.5 inches. The depth for base cabinets is measured as the distance from the cabinet’s outer edge to the wall. In practical terms, this means you have less space inside the cabinet than the actual depth number of inches. Cabinets with a depth greater than 24 inches make it harder to reach an outlet. The countertop’s overhang will add one to two inches in actual depth.

What size of sink fits in a 30-inch base cabinet?

If you choose an under-mount sink, select a 26- or 28-inch sink to fit within the 30-inch cabinet. The cabinet walls are ½ inch each, and the lip of the sink takes another inch. If you choose a drop-in sink, you can add a 30-inch sink.

How do you measure the height of wall cabinets?

  • First, you need to know your ceiling height. If your ceiling is eight-feet high and you don’t want your cabinets to take up the entire space, 30-inch high wall cabinets are the right choice. If you’d like your cabinets to reach the ceiling, you would install 42-inch high wall cabinets. If you want to add crown molding, you need space and would use 36-inch high cabinets.
  • Second, measure up from the floor to account for the base cabinets. The standard base cabinet is 34.5 inches. A countertop typically adds another inch or two.
  • Third, leave space for the backsplash, either 18 or 24 inches. Mark this measurement as where the bottom of your wall cabinet will sit.

What is the standard size for an over-the-range microwave?

The standard size for an over-the-range microwave is no more than 30 inches wide with a height between 10 to 18 inches and depth from 12 to 18 inches.

Ready to design your new kitchen cabinets?

Now that you know about standard kitchen cabinet sizes, you are all set to design your new kitchen cabinet layout! Using our handy measuring guide, you can take accurate measurements and take advantage of a no-charge consultation with one of our professional kitchen designers. Your designer will help you place the cabinets in the correct size and layout for optimal kitchen efficiency. Reserve your time to speak with an expert cabinet designer today. In the meantime, browse our cabinet photo gallery to choose the perfect style and look for your Kitchen.

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