How to size kitchen cabinets
Measure the cutout, not the existing unit
Cabinets come in 3″ width increments. Base cabinets: 34.5″ tall, 24″ deep. Wall cabinets: 30, 36, or 42″ tall, 12″ deep. Tall pantry cabinets: 84 or 96″ tall, 24″ deep. The toe kick (recessed area at floor) is 4″ tall and 3″ deep on standard base cabinets.
Plumbing and electrical reduce usable depth
Supply lines, drains, vent ducts, and electrical run in the back 3–4″ of most cabinets. The catalog dimension assumes those connections sit flush against the back wall. If a previous installation routed lines along the side, the new unit may not fit even though the cutout looks correct. Pull the existing unit before ordering to confirm.
Standard vs. compact sizing
For a galley or small kitchen, 9, 12, or 15″ base cabinets fit between appliances. For maximum storage, prefer 30 or 36″ base cabinets with full-extension drawers over a single shelf.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all "standard" units in the same category are interchangeable. Cabinet height varies by 1–2″ between brands.
- Adding new flooring under the existing unit; the new layer traps the unit under the counter.
- Ignoring door swing or pull-out clearance in front of the unit.
- Mixing US and EU standards. EU appliances are sized in centimetres (60 cm ≈ 23.6″), not 24″.