Standard kitchen cabinet sizes and dimensions

Kitchen cabinets are built in standard sizes, which is what makes them affordable and interchangeable. Knowing the numbers helps you read a layout, plan appliances and see where fillers will go.

Base cabinets

Base cabinets are 34-1/2" tall and 24" deep. Add a 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" countertop and you get the standard 36" counter height. Widths run from 9" to 48" in 3" steps; 15", 18", 24", 30" and 36" are the most common. A sink base is usually 30", 33" or 36".

Wall cabinets

Wall cabinets are 12" deep and come in 30", 36" and 42" heights. With an 18" gap above the counter:

• 8 ft ceiling: 30" cabinets leave room for crown, or 36" go to the ceiling with small molding.
• 9 ft ceiling: 42" cabinets run to the ceiling, or stack a 12" to 15" glass cabinet on 36".
• 10 ft ceiling: stacked cabinets or a soffit.

Tall cabinets

Pantry and oven cabinets are 84", 90" or 96" tall and 24" deep, in 18", 24", 30" and 36" widths. Match the top to the wall cabinets so the crown lines up.

Fillers and panels

Walls are never exactly a multiple of 3". Fillers (1" to 3" strips) close gaps and keep doors and drawers from hitting walls and appliances. Dishwasher and fridge ends often get finished panels.

Plan the whole kitchen

Try the kitchen cabinet designer to lay out boxes and see linear feet and budget, and the kitchen layout planner for the room. Our cabinet cost guide has New Hampshire prices.

Common questions

How tall are standard base cabinets?

34-1/2" without the countertop, which brings the counter to about 36".

How deep are upper cabinets?

Standard wall cabinets are 12" deep; 15" to 24" deep versions go over fridges.

What size upper cabinets for 9 foot ceilings?

Usually 42" tall cabinets, or 36" cabinets with a 12" to 15" stacked cabinet above.