Standard Kitchen Cabinet Sizes Chart: PDF & Quick Reference: 1 Minute to Master Every Kitchen Cabinet Size with My Pro Chart

Designing a kitchen that feels intuitive starts with getting cabinet dimensions right. Over the years I’ve learned that small misalignments—an extra half-inch here or a tight hinge swing there—compound into daily frustration. To anchor decisions, I rely on widely adopted standards: most base cabinets are 34.5 in high (without countertop) and 24 in deep, while wall cabinets commonly span 12–24 in in depth and 30–42 in in height. These ranges align with ergonomic guidance and appliance clearances used by fabricators and builders.

Two research-backed yardsticks shape cabinet planning: first, the WELL v2 Kitchen guidance aligns visibility and reach with human factors, promoting task lighting and clear reach zones where typical comfortable forward reach is ~20–24 in for many users; second, the NKBA recommends 15–18 in minimum vertical clearance from countertop to wall cabinet and 36 in minimum clear walkway in work aisles, with 42–48 in often preferred in multi-cook kitchens. For daylight and task performance, the Illuminating Engineering Society notes kitchen task illuminance often targets 300–500 lux at the counter; pairing those levels with cabinet heights supports safe prep. Reference: WELL v2 (Kitchen/Lighting concepts), NKBA Planning Guidelines, and IES task lighting practices.

Here’s the quick-reference, plus a downloadable chart. I’ve added real-world tolerances and notes that minimize site surprises and installation conflicts. For ergonomic reach and visual comfort under-cabinet lighting layout, WELL v2 highlights glare control; keeping undershelf fixtures set back 2–3 in from the cabinet front lip mitigates direct view and shadowing. For color selection, warmer task lighting (2700–3000 K) can soften finishes, while 3500–4000 K offers crisper contrast for food prep—a balance I tune per client cooking habits.

Base Cabinets (Floor Cabinets)

- Height (box only, without countertop): 34.5 in (standard). With a 1.5 in countertop, finished height is ~36 in.

- Depth: 24 in standard; 27 in available for deeper pull-outs or appliance panels.

- Widths: 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 42 in in 3-inch increments.

- Toe-kick: 3–4 in height, 2–3 in depth.

- Sink base: 30–36 in typical; check sink bowl and disposer clearances.

- Drawer base: 24–36 in; mind slide lengths and internal clear height for cookware.

- Pull-out trash base: 15–21 in common; allow door swing away from traffic.

Wall (Upper) Cabinets

- Height: 30, 36, or 42 in typical. 42 in reaches the ceiling in many 8 ft rooms with crown.

- Depth: 12 in standard; 15 in for oversized dishes or microwave integration (verify appliance specs).

- Widths: 12–36 in in 3-inch increments; double-door uppers generally start at 24 in.

- Bottom height above countertop: 18 in minimum clearance; 20–24 in offers better appliance clearance and under-cab lighting space.

- Over-range cabinet: confirm hood depth; many hoods protrude 19–22 in—avoid creating a bumping hazard.

Tall Cabinets (Pantry & Utility)

- Height: 84, 90, or 96 in standard to align with ceiling heights and crown.

- Depth: 24 in for pantries aligned with base cabinets; 12–18 in for shallow storage.

- Widths: 18, 24, 30 in typical; 36 in for double-door pantries.

- Oven towers: 24–30 in wide; confirm appliance cutout plus ventilation and electrical access.

Clearances, Aisles, and Reach

- Countertop to wall cabinet: 18 in minimum; 20–24 in improves appliance clearance (per NKBA guideline).

- Work aisle width: 36 in minimum; 42–48 in for multi-cook flows (NKBA).

- Island to perimeter: 36–42 in typical; ensure dishwasher door and oven door can open without conflict.

- Seating knee space (island overhang): 12 in comfortable overhang; 15 in for bar-height seating.

- Ergonomic forward reach: ~20–24 in comfortable zone; keep daily-use items in lower third of uppers and top drawers.

- Lighting at tasks: target 300–500 lux at counter (IES task range); avoid direct glare from under-cab strips by set-back placement.

Standard Cabinet Sizes Chart (Printable PDF)

I’ve packaged the most-used dimensions into a clean sheet you can carry onsite. The chart covers base, wall, tall cabinets, plus toe-kicks, clearances, and island seating depths, with a quick table for 3-inch width increments.

Download: “Standard Kitchen Cabinet Sizes – Quick Reference PDF”.

Layout Notes and Planning Tips

- Sequence matters: set appliance sizes first (range, fridge, dishwasher), then anchor sink, then size adjacent bases and uppers.

- Corner strategy: blind corners benefit from 36 x 36 in bases with pull-outs; consider lazy Susan or diagonal corner units.

- Vertical rhythm: align upper cabinet tops or bottoms consistently to create a calm horizon line, especially with mixed heights.

- Edge conditions: where uppers meet windows, keep reveals symmetric; 2–3 in stile fillers avoid knob clashes.

- Work triangle: classic 4–9 ft legs per side still guides efficient cooking, but zone-based planning (prep, cook, clean) suits modern multi-cook homes. If you’re testing variations, a room layout tool can help visualize clearances and door swings: interior layout planner.

Materials & Durability

- Boxes: plywood or high-quality particleboard with moisture resistance; confirm back thickness and cabinet hang rails.

- Fronts: solid wood, MDF with durable finishes, or high-pressure laminate for easy cleaning.

- Hardware: soft-close hinges and full-extension slides (18–21 in) improve access; check load ratings for pantry pull-outs.

- Finishes: lighter hues expand perceived space; mid-tone woods add warmth. For psychology, muted greens and soft blues can lower stress and promote calm during busy meal prep, as noted in color psychology research.

Lighting & Acoustic Comfort

- Under-cab: continuous LED strips with high CRI (90+) for accurate food color; dimmable drivers avoid harsh transitions.

- Pendants: size proportionally—roughly 2/3 the island width for paired fixtures; hang 30–36 in above countertop.

- Sound: soften clatter with area rugs/runners, felt bumpers inside doors, and acoustic panels if the kitchen opens to hard surfaces.

Common Size Pitfalls

- Oversized wall depth: 15 in uppers near a range can crowd head space—verify hood projection.

- Dishwasher collision: ensure 3–4 in buffer from corners so doors and handles clear adjacent cabinets.

- Refrigerator swing: French doors need 1–2 in side clearance past the cabinet face; panels must not block drawer pull-outs.

- Crown and ceiling: 42 in uppers may require scribe molding under uneven ceilings—measure true level lines before ordering.

Quick Sizing Table

- Base height: 34.5 in box; ~36 in finished.

- Base depth: 24 in standard.

- Upper height: 30/36/42 in.

- Upper depth: 12 in standard; 15 in optional.

- Tall height: 84/90/96 in.

- Width increments: 9–42 in in 3-in steps.

- Counter-to-upper clearance: 18–24 in.

- Work aisles: 36–48 in.

FAQ

Q1: What is the most common base cabinet height?

A: 34.5 in for the box, reaching ~36 in with a 1.5 in countertop—comfortable for most prep tasks.

Q2: How high should wall cabinets be above the countertop?

A: 18 in minimum; 20–24 in is often preferred to fit appliances and under-cab lighting while improving visibility.

Q3: Are deeper wall cabinets (15 in) a good idea?

A: They’re useful for large plates or microwave integration, but verify hood depth and head clearance near the range to avoid crowding.

Q4: What aisle width suits two cooks?

A: Plan 42–48 in. It keeps prep and appliance doors from clashing and aligns with NKBA multi-user recommendations.

Q5: How do I size a sink base?

A: Most single bowls fit 30–33 in; large farmhouse or double bowls often need 36 in. Check bowl dimensions, apron depth, and disposer clearance.

Q6: What’s the standard upper cabinet height for 8 ft ceilings?

A: 36 in uppers leave a reveal above; 42 in can reach the ceiling with crown, delivering a built-in look.

Q7: How much island overhang is comfortable for seating?

A: 12 in is common for counter height seating; extend to 15 in for bar-height or deeper stools. Support with brackets if over 12 in.

Q8: What lighting level should I target at the countertop?

A: Aim for 300–500 lux measured at the work surface. High-CRI dimmable LEDs reduce glare and improve color accuracy.

Q9: Do toe-kick dimensions matter?

A: Yes—3–4 in high and 2–3 in deep accommodates foot space and reduces back strain during prep.

Q10: How do I plan refrigerator clearance?

A: Allow door swing beyond the cabinet face (often 1–2 in). Confirm drawer pull-out clearance and panel thickness before ordering.

Q11: What widths do stock cabinets come in?

A: Most lines use 3-in increments from 9 to 42 in, simplifying symmetrical layouts and filler planning.

Q12: How do I avoid glare with under-cab lighting?

A: Set strips back 2–3 in from the cabinet front and use diffusers. Dimming helps match task needs and reduce eye strain.