Standard Kitchen Cabinet Sizes: Base, Wall & Tall Dimensions
Standard kitchen cabinet sizes for base, wall, tall and sink cabinets, in inches and millimeters, plus European frameless metric conventions and tips.
· 9 min read
Standard kitchen cabinet sizes are why a kitchen can go from a tape measure to a workable layout so quickly. Most manufacturers build to a shared set of heights, depths and width steps, so once you know those numbers you can rough out a plan before choosing a cabinet line. This guide covers the common North American dimensions, the European metric conventions used for frameless cabinets, and the details that catch people out.
One caveat before the tables: these are typical sizes, not legal requirements. Every manufacturer publishes its own catalog with its own allowed widths, heights and depths. Use the numbers below to plan, then confirm against the specification sheet for the exact cabinet line you intend to buy.
How cabinet dimensions are described
Cabinet sizes are almost always given as width × height × depth, measured on the cabinet box (the carcass). The box is not the whole story:
- Countertops add thickness on top of base cabinets, typically about 1.5" (38 mm) for stone or laminate.
- Doors and drawer fronts add depth on the front, usually about 0.75" (19 mm), more on face-frame cabinets.
- Toe-kicks (US) or plinths (Europe) lift the box off the floor and are recessed to give your feet room.
Many US catalogs encode the size in the SKU. A "B24" is usually a 24"-wide base cabinet, "W3030" is a wall cabinet 30" wide and 30" tall, and "SB36" is a 36"-wide sink base. Conventions vary between brands, so read the catalog's naming key rather than assuming.
Base cabinet sizes (US / North America)
Base cabinets sit on the floor and carry the countertop. The standard box height is 34.5" (876 mm). With a typical 1.5" (38 mm) countertop, that brings the work surface to about 36" (914 mm), the usual US counter height.
| Dimension | Typical size (in) | Typical size (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Box height (without countertop) | 34.5" | 876 mm |
| Finished counter height | about 36" | about 914 mm |
| Box depth | 24" | 610 mm |
| Countertop depth (with overhang) | about 25"–25.5" | about 635–648 mm |
| Width range | 9"–48" | 229–1219 mm |
| Width increment | 3" | 76 mm |
Common base cabinet widths, in 3" steps:
| Width (in) | Width (mm) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 9" | 229 mm | Tray or spice pull-out |
| 12" | 305 mm | Narrow pull-out, filler-adjacent |
| 15" | 381 mm | Single door, narrow drawer stack |
| 18" | 457 mm | Drawer base, trash pull-out |
| 21" | 533 mm | Drawer base, single door |
| 24" | 610 mm | Dishwasher-width storage, drawer base |
| 27" | 686 mm | Single or double door |
| 30" | 762 mm | Double door, wide drawers |
| 33" | 838 mm | Double door, sink base |
| 36" | 914 mm | Double door, sink base, lazy susan |
| 39"–48" | 991–1219 mm | Blind corner bases, wide double-door units |
Sink base cabinets
Sink bases are base cabinets with no drawer box at the top (usually a false front instead) and an open interior for plumbing. Typical widths are 30", 33" and 36" (762, 838 and 914 mm). A 36" sink base is common for double-bowl sinks; 30" and 33" suit single bowls. Always check the sink manufacturer's minimum cabinet size, since undermount and farmhouse sinks often need a specific width.
Toe-kick
The toe-kick is the recessed space at the bottom of a base cabinet. A typical toe-kick is about 4" high × 3" deep (102 × 76 mm), though 3.5"–4.5" heights are common. Some lines use a separate toe-kick board; others build it into the cabinet side.
Wall cabinet sizes (US / North America)
Wall (upper) cabinets hang above the counter. They are shallower than base cabinets so they stay out of your head space while you work.
| Dimension | Typical size (in) | Typical size (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (common) | 12" | 305 mm |
| Depth (over fridge, deep units) | 15"–24" | 381–610 mm |
| Width range | 9"–36" (some to 42"–48") | 229–914 mm (to 1067–1219 mm) |
| Width increment | 3" | 76 mm |
| Typical mounting gap above counter | 18" | 457 mm |
Wall cabinet heights come in a handful of standard steps:
| Height (in) | Height (mm) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 12" | 305 mm | Over refrigerator or range hood |
| 15" | 381 mm | Over refrigerator or range hood |
| 18" | 457 mm | Over refrigerator, stacked uppers |
| 24" | 610 mm | Over refrigerator (deep), over range |
| 30" | 762 mm | Standard upper with 8' ceilings |
| 36" | 914 mm | Taller upper, fewer reach-in gaps |
| 42" | 1067 mm | Full-height upper with 9' ceilings or no soffit |
Choosing wall cabinet height
With 8' (2438 mm) ceilings, the classic arrangement is 36" counter height, an 18" gap, and 30" wall cabinets, leaving about 12" (305 mm) above for a soffit, crown molding or open space. Taking 42" uppers to the ceiling is common when there is no soffit. With 9' ceilings, 42" uppers or stacked cabinets are typical. The 18" gap is a convention rather than a rule; some designers use 15"–20" depending on backsplash, outlets and the user's height. Over a range, follow the hood manufacturer's minimum clearance, which is often greater.
Tall and pantry cabinet sizes (US / North America)
Tall cabinets run from the floor up to wall-cabinet height or higher. They are used for pantries, utility storage and built-in ovens.
| Dimension | Typical size (in) | Typical size (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 84", 90", 96" | 2134, 2286, 2438 mm |
| Depth | 12" or 24" | 305 or 610 mm |
| Width | 15"–36" | 381–914 mm |
A 24"-deep tall cabinet lines up with base cabinet fronts, so it works well for pull-out pantries and wall ovens. A 12"-deep tall unit is better for a shallow pantry wall where you do not want to lose floor space. Match the tall cabinet height to the top of your wall cabinets: an 84" tall unit aligns with 30" uppers mounted at 54" above the floor (36" counter + 18" gap).
European and metric frameless conventions
European kitchens, and many frameless (full-overlay) cabinet systems worldwide, use metric dimensions on a different logic. The carcass is a standard height and the overall counter height is set by the plinth (the European equivalent of a toe-kick), which usually sits on adjustable legs.
| Dimension | Typical size (mm) | Typical size (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Base carcass height | about 720 mm | about 28.3" |
| Plinth height | 100–150 mm | about 3.9"–5.9" |
| Base carcass depth | 560–600 mm | about 22"–23.6" |
| Worktop thickness | 20–40 mm | about 0.8"–1.6" |
| Wall unit depth | 300–350 mm | about 11.8"–13.8" |
| Wall unit height | 720 or 900 mm | about 28.3" or 35.4" |
| Width range | 150–1200 mm | about 5.9"–47.2" |
A 720 mm carcass on a 150 mm plinth with a 30–40 mm worktop gives a counter height of roughly 900–910 mm (about 35.5"–36"). Taller users often choose a higher plinth rather than a different carcass.
Common European widths are not on a strict single step, but these are widely offered:
| Width (mm) | Width (in) |
|---|---|
| 150 mm | about 5.9" |
| 300 mm | about 11.8" |
| 400 mm | about 15.7" |
| 450 mm | about 17.7" |
| 500 mm | about 19.7" |
| 600 mm | about 23.6" |
| 800 mm | about 31.5" |
| 900 mm | about 35.4" |
| 1000 mm | about 39.4" |
| 1200 mm | about 47.2" |
Because 600 mm is the standard appliance width for dishwashers, ovens and many cooktops in metric markets, carcass widths and appliance openings tend to line up neatly. Mixing imperial cabinets with metric appliances, or the reverse, is where fillers and small gaps creep in.
Planning tips that the tables don't show
- Measure first, then fit sizes. Wall lengths almost never divide evenly into standard widths. Our guide on how to measure your kitchen covers the measurements you need before choosing cabinets.
- Leave room for fillers. Where a cabinet meets a wall or a tall appliance, you usually need a filler strip so doors and drawers can open. See kitchen cabinet fillers for typical widths.
- Corners need their own logic. Blind corners, lazy susans and diagonal units take specific widths along each wall. Our corner cabinet options guide covers the trade-offs.
- Check clearances, not just sizes. A cabinet that fits the wall can still block an aisle, a door swing or an appliance door.
- Check catalog-allowed sizes. Not every line offers every 3" step in every cabinet type. A 21" sink base or a 9" drawer base may not exist in a given catalog.
How software handles standard sizes
Good planning software treats standard sizes as data rather than guesswork: each catalog lists which widths, heights and depths a cabinet family is actually available in, and the planner flags anything outside that list. That is the approach OpenKitchen3D is taking. The cabinet planner is still in development, but it is designed around an open, versioned catalog format where cabinet families declare their allowed sizes, with millimeters as the canonical unit and inches shown for display. You can follow progress on the cabinet planner page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard height of a kitchen base cabinet?
In the US and Canada, the standard base cabinet box is 34.5" (876 mm) tall. Adding a typical 1.5" (38 mm) countertop brings the work surface to about 36" (914 mm). European frameless carcasses are usually around 720 mm tall, with height made up by a 100–150 mm plinth.
How deep are standard kitchen cabinets?
Standard US base cabinets are 24" (610 mm) deep, and wall cabinets are most commonly 12" (305 mm) deep. European base carcasses are typically 560–600 mm (about 22"–23.6") deep, with wall units around 300–350 mm. Doors and countertop overhang add a little more to the finished depth.
What widths do kitchen cabinets come in?
US base and wall cabinets typically come in 3" (76 mm) increments, from about 9" up to 36" for most types and up to 48" for some base and blind corner units. European lines commonly offer 150, 300, 400, 450, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000 and 1200 mm widths. Always confirm the allowed widths in the specific manufacturer's catalog.
How high should wall cabinets be mounted above the counter?
The common convention is 18" (457 mm) between the countertop and the bottom of the wall cabinets, which puts the underside at about 54" (1372 mm) from the floor in a standard US kitchen. Some designers use 15"–20" depending on the backsplash and the user's height. Over a range, follow the range hood manufacturer's clearance requirements.
What size sink base cabinet do I need?
Most sink bases are 30", 33" or 36" (762, 838 or 914 mm) wide. Single-bowl sinks often fit a 30" or 33" base, and double-bowl or large farmhouse sinks typically need 36". Check the sink manufacturer's minimum cabinet width before you finalize the layout.
Are standard cabinet sizes the same for every brand?
No. The ranges in this guide are typical, but each manufacturer sets its own box heights, toe-kick dimensions, depths and available widths. Use these numbers for early planning, then confirm every cabinet against the specification sheet of the line you are ordering.