Design Help: Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions

Kitchen with Standard Cabinets - Source

Kitchen cabinet sizes are largely standardized. Unless you are dealing with custom kitchen cabinetry, which can build cabinets with any dimensions, you will find lower prices and predictable sizing in stock or semi-custom kitchen cabinets. Because kitchen cabinets come in hundreds of sizes, below is a guide to a few of the more common kitchen cabinet sizes.

Standard Cabinet Dimensions

1. Base Cabinet Sizes

Base cabinets are the workhorse of kitchen design. They are installed directly on the floor, counters are installed on them, sinks installed within them, dishwashers and ranges bracketed by them, etc. See more about sink base cabinets below.

Height and Depth: 

• Height: 34.5". After adding counter top materials, total height will raise to 36".
• Depth: 24". Base cabinets tend to be limited to 24". Deeper base cabinets make it difficult for you to reach the back of the counter or to plug in appliances.

Width:

• 12", 18", 24" Filler cabinetry.
• 48": Typically the largest size base cabinet, not often used. 
• Custom Width cabinets are always available, of course you will pay more for them

2. Wall Cabinet Sizes

Height and Depth:

• Height: Common wall cabinet heights are 12", 36", and 48". The 12" cabinets fit neatly over fridges.
• Depth: 12" to 24". Maximum depth for wall cabinets is 24" because it cannot exceed the depth of base cabinets.

Width:

• A standard, single- or double-door wall cabinet width is 30". Cabinets can run as narrow as 12" or 15". Cabinets wider than 30" are generally not used.

3. Tall Cabinet Sizes

Tall kitchen cabinets, also known as a pantry or utility cabinet, often reach ceiling height. Be aware of how high your ceiling are if you would like to put crown molding above it.

Height and Width:

• Height: 84" to 96". Those 96" cabinets take you right up to the ceiling. The 84" tall cabinets give you one foot of breathing room above the cabinet--but no practical purpose to that above-cabinet spacing.
• Depth: 12" to 24". Shallower, 12" deep pantry cabinets are common because they are used for storing food. If the cabinets are deeper, it is likely you would lose food in the the back of the cabinet.

Width:

• 12": Narrow pantry cabinets hold far more food than you might think. Plus, they can fit in otherwise-neglected spaces. 
• 24": Another common pantry cabinet width.
• 36": If you want bells and whistles, such as pull-outs and storage on the doors, you'll need a wider pantry cabinet.

4. Sink Base Cabinets

Sink base cabinets are specialized base cabinets. Be mindful of what size sink you would like to install to help you decide which one to get. Also note the depth of the sink, it will help decide which sink base you need for your design.

Height and Depth: 

• Height: 34.5". Again, after adding counter top materials the total height will increase to 36". A farm sink might replace the top of the cabinet varying the height. Consult your kitchen designer for a specialty cabinet.
• Depth: 24".

Width:

• 30": Single-basin sink.
• 33": Can accommodate a double-basin, offset sink.
• 36": Can accommodate a double-basin sink.