Dishwasher Dimensions: Standard, Compact, European and Drawer Sizes
The size of every type of dishwasher and, more usefully, the opening each one needs under the counter. Covers US 24 and 18 in models, European 60 and 45 cm machines, drawers and countertop units.
A standard built-in dishwasher fits an opening 24 in (61 cm) wide, 34.5 in (87.6 cm) high and 24 in (61 cm) deep. The machine itself is about 23.5 to 23.9 in wide and 33.75 to 34.5 in tall with adjustable legs. Compact dishwashers need an 18 in (45.7 cm) opening, and European models are 60 cm or 45 cm wide and 82 to 85 cm tall.
- Opening width
- 24 in (61 cm)
- Opening height
- 34.5 in (87.6 cm)
- Opening depth
- 24 in (61 cm)
- Compact width
- 18 in (45.7 cm)
On this page
Dishwasher dimensions chart
US dishwashers are sold by the width of the opening they fill. The listed product dimensions are a fraction smaller, so the machine slides in without scraping the cabinets.
| Type | Opening (W × H × D) | Machine width | Machine height | Place settings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard built-in (US) | 24 × 34.5 × 24 in 61 × 87.6 × 61 cm | 23.5 to 23.9 in | 33.75 to 34.5 in, adjustable | 12 to 16 |
| Compact built-in (US) | 18 × 34.5 × 24 in 45.7 × 87.6 × 61 cm | 17.5 to 17.9 in | 32.5 to 34.5 in | 8 to 10 |
| ADA-height built-in | 24 × 32.5 to 33 × 24 in | 23.5 to 23.9 in | about 32.5 in | 12 to 14 |
| Double drawer | 24 × 34.5 × 24 in | about 23.5 in | about 34 in | 12 to 14 (both) |
| Single drawer | 24 in wide, about 16 to 17 in high | about 23.5 in | about 16 in | 6 to 7 |
| Countertop | Freestanding | about 17 to 22 in | about 17 to 20 in | 2 to 6 |
Depth is the most variable listing: 22.5 to 24.75 in depending on whether the brand includes the door and handle. What matters is that the tub fits the 24 in deep opening and the door sits in line with the cabinet doors on either side.
Dishwasher cutout size
The opening under the counter is set by the cabinets and floor, not by the dishwasher. Before buying, check each of these.
- Height range: most models adjust from about 33.75 to 35 in with screw legs. A new floor laid in front of an old dishwasher can trap it: 3/4 in of tile plus underlayment can drop the opening below 34 in, and then the machine cannot be pulled out without lifting the counter.
- Mounting: the dishwasher fastens to the underside of the counter with clips, or to the cabinet sides when the top is stone that cannot take screws.
- Services: the water line, drain hose and power cable usually run through a hole in the sink base cabinet next door, so the dishwasher is normally placed directly beside the sink.
18 inch dishwasher dimensions
Compact 18 in dishwashers are full-height and full-depth machines that are 6 in narrower. They suit small kitchens, apartments and second dishwashers in a pantry or bar.
- Size: about 17.5 to 17.9 in wide, 32.5 to 34.5 in tall and 22.5 to 24 in deep (44.5 to 45.4 × 82.5 to 87.6 × 57 to 61 cm).
- Capacity: 8 to 10 place settings, about two thirds of a 24 in model.
- Interchangeability: an 18 in dishwasher is the same size as a European 45 cm slimline model to within a quarter inch, and the two can often replace each other if the height matches.
Going from 18 to 24 in means finding 6 in of cabinet width. A common fix is to swap a 12 in base cabinet next to the dishwasher for a 6 in pull-out or filler. Standard cabinet widths are in the kitchen cabinet sizes guide.
European dishwasher sizes (60 cm and 45 cm)
European dishwashers come in two widths and two installation types. Integrated models hide behind a cabinet door and are lower, because they sit on the cabinet plinth line.
| Type | W × H × D (cm) | W × H × D (in) | Place settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-size integrated | 59.8 × 81.5 × 55 | 23.5 × 32.1 × 21.7 | 12 to 15 |
| Full-size integrated, tall (XXL) | 59.8 × 86.5 × 55 | 23.5 × 34.1 × 21.7 | 13 to 15 |
| Full-size freestanding | 60 × 84.5 to 85 × 60 | 23.6 × 33.3 to 33.5 × 23.6 | 12 to 14 |
| Slimline integrated | 44.8 × 81.5 × 55 | 17.6 × 32.1 × 21.7 | 9 to 11 |
| Slimline freestanding | 45 × 85 × 60 | 17.7 × 33.5 × 23.6 | 9 to 10 |
Integrated models list a niche height range rather than a single figure: about 81.5 to 87.5 cm for the standard height and 86.5 to 92.5 cm for the tall version, with the plinth trimmed to suit. The extra 5 cm of the tall version goes into the racks, which helps with large plates and wine glasses.
Drawer and countertop dishwashers
Dishwasher drawers
Drawer dishwashers fit the same 24 in wide base opening. A double drawer fills the whole 34.5 in height; a single drawer is about 16 in tall and goes under a drawer or into an island where a full-height machine would not fit. Each drawer runs separately and holds about 6 to 7 place settings, so two drawers hold slightly less than one standard tub.
Countertop dishwashers
Countertop units are about 17 to 22 in wide, 17 to 20 in tall and 15 to 22 in deep and connect to the sink faucet with an adapter, or run from a built-in water tank. Check the height under your wall cabinets: with the standard 18 in gap between counter and uppers, a 20 in tall unit will not fit, and the door needs roughly as much clear counter in front as the unit is tall.
Where to put a dishwasher: clearances
- Next to the sink: NKBA recommends the nearest edge of the dishwasher within 36 in (91 cm) of the nearest edge of the sink. Directly beside the sink base is standard, so the drain and water line are short.
- Standing room: leave 21 in (53 cm) between the edge of the dishwasher and any counter, appliance or cabinet at a right angle to it, so you can stand beside the open door.
- Door in front: the door drops about 22 to 24 in in front of the cabinets. A 42 in aisle leaves about 18 to 20 in to pass the open door.
- Corners: a dishwasher placed right at an inside corner blocks the drawers of the cabinet on the other wall when open. Designers usually add a filler of 2 to 3 in so the handle and door clear the corner.
- Raised dishwashers: for less bending, NKBA suggests raising the dishwasher 6 to 12 in (15 to 30 cm) where the landing counter can be raised with it.
These clearances are part of the wider set of kitchen spacing rules in the kitchen dimensions guide. For the sink beside it, see the kitchen sink sizes guide.
Dishwasher hookups
| Connection | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Power | 120 V on a 15 or 20 A circuit, hard-wired or plugged into an outlet in the sink base. GFCI protection is required for dishwasher outlets under NEC 210.8(D). |
| Water | 3/8 in compression hot water supply. Manufacturers recommend water at about 120 °F (49 °C) at the dishwasher. |
| Drain | Hose to the sink tailpiece or disposer, with a high loop under the counter or an air gap on the sink deck where local code requires one. |
Steam rising when the door opens can, over years, damage the underside of laminate and wood counters near the dishwasher. Most models include a foil vapor barrier strip for the underside of the counter above. With stone tops, use the side-mount brackets instead of drilling into the stone.
How to measure for a dishwasher
- Width: measure between the cabinet sides at the front and back of the opening. A 24 in model needs at least 24 in.
- Height: measure from the finished floor to the underside of the countertop at the front and at the back. Use the smaller figure and compare it with the model's minimum height.
- Depth: measure from the back wall to the front face of the cabinets. Pipes or an outlet in the wall can reduce it.
- Services: confirm where the water valve, drain connection and power are, and that the hoses can reach without kinking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard dishwasher size in the USA?
24 in wide for the opening, with the machine about 23.5 to 23.9 in (60 cm) wide, 33.75 to 34.5 in (86 to 88 cm) tall and 24 in deep without the door handle. It is built to slide under a 36 in countertop between two base cabinets.
What size cabinet does an 18 inch dishwasher need?
It does not go in a cabinet. An 18 in dishwasher fills an empty opening 18 in wide, 34.5 in high and 24 in deep between base cabinets, under the countertop. The machine is about 17.5 to 17.9 in wide, so it slides in with a little side clearance.
What is the standard dishwasher size in mm?
A US standard dishwasher opening is 610 mm wide, 876 mm high and 610 mm deep. European full-size dishwashers are 598 to 600 mm wide and fit a 600 mm niche; slimline models are 448 to 450 mm wide. Integrated European models are about 815 to 820 mm tall.
How far does a dishwasher door open?
A 24 in dishwasher door drops to horizontal and extends about 22 to 24 in in front of the cabinet face, so the open dishwasher takes about 46 to 48 in from the back wall. NKBA recommends 21 in of standing space beside the open door.
Can a 24 inch dishwasher replace an 18 inch one?
Only if the opening is widened by 6 in. That usually means removing or replacing the neighboring base cabinet, for example swapping a 12 in cabinet for a 6 in filler or pull-out, and the countertop above must be supported across the wider gap.
How many place settings does a dishwasher hold?
A standard 24 in dishwasher is rated for 12 to 16 place settings, and an 18 in compact for 8 to 10. Countertop units hold 2 to 6, and a single dishwasher drawer about 6 to 7. European 60 cm models are rated for 12 to 15 settings and 45 cm models for 9 to 11.