Microwave Sizes and Dimensions: Countertop, Over-the-Range and Built-In
Outside dimensions and inside capacity for every type of microwave, from 0.7 cu ft compacts to 30 in over-the-range models, plus how European sizes compare and where each type fits in a kitchen.
Countertop microwaves are 17 to 24 in (43 to 61 cm) wide, 10 to 14 in (25 to 36 cm) tall and 13 to 20 in (33 to 51 cm) deep, with 0.7 to 2.2 cu ft (20 to 62 L) inside. Over-the-range microwaves are about 30 in (76 cm) wide, 16 to 18 in tall and 15 to 18 in deep, to fit the space above a 30 in range. A typical mid-size model is about 20 × 12 × 16 in.
- Countertop width
- 17-24 in (43-61 cm)
- Over-the-range
- 30 × 16-18 in
- Capacity
- 0.7-2.2 cu ft
- Mid-size (1.1 cu ft)
- about 20 × 12 × 16 in
On this page
Microwave sizes chart
Microwaves are sold by interior capacity in cubic feet, but the outside dimensions are what decide whether one fits. These ranges cover current US models.
| Type | Capacity | Width | Height | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact countertop | 0.5 to 0.9 cu ft 14 to 25 L | 17 to 20 in 43 to 51 cm | 10 to 11.5 in 25 to 29 cm | 13 to 16 in 33 to 41 cm |
| Mid-size countertop | 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft 28 to 40 L | 19 to 22 in 48 to 56 cm | 11.5 to 12.5 in 29 to 32 cm | 15 to 17 in 38 to 43 cm |
| Full-size countertop | 1.5 to 2.2 cu ft 42 to 62 L | 21.5 to 24 in 55 to 61 cm | 12.5 to 14 in 32 to 36 cm | 17 to 20 in 43 to 51 cm |
| Over-the-range | 1.6 to 2.2 cu ft 45 to 62 L | 29.9 to 30 in 76 cm | 16 to 18 in 41 to 46 cm | 15 to 18 in 38 to 46 cm |
| Low-profile over-the-range | 1.1 to 1.4 cu ft | 30 in | 10 to 11 in 25 to 28 cm | 15 to 16 in |
| Microwave drawer | about 1.2 cu ft 34 L | 24 or 30 in 61 or 76 cm | 15 to 16 in | 23 to 26 in |
| Built-in with trim kit | 1.2 to 2.2 cu ft | 27 or 30 in cabinet | Trim adds 2 to 4 in | Needs 20 to 24 in cabinet |
Depth on spec sheets usually includes the door but not the handle. Add about 1 to 2 in for a handle, and 2 to 3 in more if you want the door fully clear of a backsplash or wall when it opens on its side hinge.
Microwave sizes by width
When a microwave has to fit a particular gap or shelf, width is the starting point.
| Space width | What fits | Typical capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 in (51 cm) | Compact countertop | 0.5 to 0.9 cu ft |
| 21 to 23 in (53 to 58 cm) | Mid-size countertop | 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft |
| 24 to 26 in (61 to 66 cm) | Full-size countertop | 1.5 to 2.2 cu ft |
| 24 in base cabinet | 24 in microwave drawer | about 1.2 cu ft |
| 27 in wall cabinet opening | Countertop model with 27 in trim kit | 1.2 to 1.6 cu ft |
| 30 in (76 cm) | Over-the-range, 30 in drawer, or 30 in trim kit | 1.6 to 2.2 cu ft |
Allow 1 to 3 in of space at the sides of a countertop model in addition to its width; the exact figure is printed in the manual, because many models vent through side or rear grilles.
Microwave capacity: cubic feet, liters and what fits
The capacity figure is the size of the cavity, but the turntable decides what you can cook. A dish that does not fit on the turntable will catch on the walls as it turns.
| Capacity | Liters | Typical turntable | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 cu ft | 20 L | about 10 in (25 cm) | A dinner plate, a mug, a 1 qt bowl |
| 1.1 to 1.2 cu ft | 31 to 34 L | about 12 in (30 cm) | Most dinner plates, an 8 in square dish |
| 1.6 cu ft | 45 L | about 13.5 in (34 cm) | Large plates, a 3 qt casserole |
| 2.0 to 2.2 cu ft | 57 to 62 L | about 15 to 16 in (38 to 41 cm) | A 9 × 13 in dish, a whole frozen pizza |
A 9 × 13 in baking dish has a 15.8 in diagonal, so it needs one of the largest models, or a model with a turntable on/off setting. Measure your largest plate and dish before choosing a compact model: a 10 in compact turntable will not turn an 11 in dinner plate cleanly.
Over-the-range microwave dimensions and installation
An over-the-range (OTR) microwave replaces the range hood. It hangs from the wall and the cabinet above, in the 30 in gap between the wall cabinets on either side of the range.
With the top of the microwave at 66 in and a typical 16.4 in tall unit, the bottom sits about 49.6 in from the floor, or 13.6 in above a 36 in cooking surface. That leaves room for tall pots, but most OTR models move only 300 to 400 cubic feet of air per minute through a recirculating or outside duct, often less than a dedicated hood. NKBA recommends at least 150 cfm of ducted ventilation for any cooktop, and high-output gas ranges usually need more than an OTR provides.
The cabinet above an OTR microwave is normally a short wall cabinet: with uppers finishing at 84 in and the microwave top at 66 in, it is 18 in tall. A low-profile OTR (about 10 to 11 in tall) leaves more space above a cooktop and suits short users, at the cost of capacity.
The bottom of an OTR microwave is often 50 in or more off the floor, which puts hot liquids above shoulder height for many adults. NKBA's guideline is that a microwave's bottom should be about 3 in below the main user's shoulder and no higher than 54 in. For shorter cooks, a drawer or countertop model below the counter line is safer.
Countertop microwave space and shelves
- Under wall cabinets: the standard gap between a 36 in counter and the wall cabinets is 18 in. A full-size microwave of 12.5 to 14 in tall plus 3 in of top clearance fits; a microwave with a convection or air-fry function is often taller and should be checked.
- Depth: countertop microwaves are 13 to 20 in deep, and a 25 in countertop holds all of them. A standard 12 in deep wall cabinet does not, so a microwave shelf in a run of wall cabinets needs a deeper cabinet (15 to 24 in) or a dedicated open shelf.
- Carts and tables: for a full-size model, look for a top of at least 26 × 22 in; for a mid-size, at least 24 × 18 in. A microwave table top that is narrower than the microwave plus its side clearances will block the vents.
- Landing space: NKBA recommends 15 in (38 cm) of counter above, below or beside the handle side of the microwave.
Built-in microwaves and microwave drawers
Built-in microwaves sit in a wall or tall cabinet, often above a wall oven. Two approaches exist:
- Trim kits: many countertop models have an optional trim frame that fills a 27 or 30 in wide cabinet opening and directs vent air out the front. Check the model's compatible kit before building the cabinet, because opening sizes differ by brand.
- Microwave drawers: 24 or 30 in wide, about 15 to 16 in tall, installed in a base cabinet or island under the counter. The top opens like a drawer, so you lower dishes in from above. NKBA's guideline puts the bottom of a below-counter microwave at least 15 in off the floor.
- Speed ovens and combination wall units: 24, 27 or 30 in wide, usually paired with a wall oven of the same width. Cabinet sizes for these are in the kitchen cabinet dimensions guide.
Microwaves in Europe vs America
European microwaves are smaller and rated in liters. Since 1 cu ft equals 28.3 L, the common European sizes look small next to US models.
| Capacity | Cubic feet | Outside W × H × D |
|---|---|---|
| 17 to 20 L | 0.6 to 0.7 cu ft | about 44 to 46 × 26 × 33 to 36 cm (17.3 to 18.1 × 10.2 × 13 to 14.2 in) |
| 23 to 25 L | 0.8 to 0.9 cu ft | about 48 to 49 × 28 to 30 × 37 to 40 cm (18.9 to 19.3 × 11 to 11.8 × 14.6 to 15.7 in) |
| 28 to 32 L | 1.0 to 1.1 cu ft | about 50 to 52 × 30 to 31 × 45 to 50 cm (19.7 to 20.5 × 11.8 to 12.2 × 17.7 to 19.7 in) |
| Built-in (niche) | about 0.7 to 1.2 cu ft | Niche 56 to 57 cm wide, 38 or 45 cm tall, 30 to 55 cm deep |
European built-ins are made for the 60 cm cabinet grid and stack with 60 cm ovens; a 45 cm tall built-in microwave lines up with 45 cm compact ovens and coffee machines. Power output is typically 700 to 1,000 W in Europe and 900 to 1,250 W for US mid-size and full-size models, so cooking times printed on food packaging differ by wattage, not by country. For the counter heights and cabinet depths these appliances fit into, see the kitchen dimensions guide. If the microwave is sharing counter space with an air fryer, compare footprints in the air fryer size guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a standard microwave size?
The most common countertop size is about 1.1 to 1.4 cu ft (31 to 40 L), which is roughly 20 to 22 in wide, 11.5 to 12.5 in tall and 15 to 17 in deep. Over-the-range models are a separate standard: 30 in wide and about 16 to 17 in tall.
How are microwave sizes different in Europe and America?
European microwaves are rated in liters, and the common sizes (17 to 25 L) equal 0.6 to 0.9 cu ft, smaller than a typical US model. Built-in European microwaves fit a 60 cm wide cabinet niche about 38 or 45 cm tall, while US built-ins use 27 or 30 in trim kits. Over-the-range microwaves are rare in Europe, where cooker hoods are used instead.
What size microwave fits a 9 × 13 in baking dish?
A 9 × 13 in dish has a 15.8 in diagonal, and with handles it is about 15 in long. It needs a full-size model of about 1.6 cu ft or more with a turntable of 13.5 in or larger, or a model that lets you switch the turntable off. Measure the interior width and depth on the spec sheet before buying.
How big should a microwave cart or shelf be?
The surface should be at least as wide and deep as the microwave plus the side and top clearances in its manual. For a mid-size model that means about 24 × 18 in; a full-size model needs about 26 × 22 in. Standard wall cabinets are only 12 in deep, too shallow for any countertop microwave.
Do over-the-range microwaves fit any range?
They are made for 30 in wide ranges and cooktops, fitted into a 30 in gap between wall cabinets. They can go over a 36 in cooktop only if the manufacturer approves it, and they do not provide enough ventilation for most high-output gas ranges.