How to Measure a Refrigerator

Knowing how much space you will need for delivery will help you avoid purchasing an appliance that's too large to fit into or navigate through your home.

• Map out the best path from where your new appliance will be unloaded to the spot where it will be installed. A longer route with the fewest obstructions is preferable to a shortcut that's hard to maneuver.
• Measure any exterior entrances or interior doorways from jamb to jamb in the delivery path. If any doors need to be removed to bring the refrigerator in, determine whether you or your delivery service is responsible for removing them.
• Measure the width and height of hallways along the path. If possible, avoid stairs and tight turns.

Tip: Prevent property damage and make the job easier by relocating any furniture, decor or area rugs that are along the delivery path.

Standard refrigerator dimensions can vary. The true size will be based on the type of refrigerator you get, whether it’s a bottom-freezer, side-by-side, top-freezer or French door model. However, you can estimate that a standard fridge will have exterior measurements that range from 28 3/4 inches in width, 61 3/4 inches to 71 1/4 inches in height and 28 3/4 to 34 5/8 inches in depth.

• Standard-depth refrigerators extend about 6-inches past the front of the counters. Counter-depth refrigerators are meant to be flush with the front of the counters. Total interior volume, including the freezer, can range anywhere from 10 cubic feet to 35 cubic feet.
• If you are wondering how to measure a refrigerator's cubic feet, measure the refrigerator’s interior width, height and depth and multiply all three numbers together. You may need to remove shelves and drawers to get the most accurate measurements.

You may also be wondering "what size refrigerator do I need?" Below are some tips for determining the best fridge type and size for your household:

• If your household size is 1 to 2 people, a 4 to 13 cu. ft. fridge is best. This includes top-freezer and bottom-freezer fridges. If your household size is 3 to 4 people, a 14 to 24 cu. ft. fridge is best.
• A variety of fridge types come in this size: bottom-freezer, top-freezer, French door and side-by-side refrigerators.
• If your household size is 5 or more people, 25 cu. ft. or more is ideal.

For more specific measurements for each style of fridge, refer to the refrigerator size chart below:

• Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators: 29 1/2 to 32 3/4 inches in width, 67 to 70 inches in height and 33 3/8 inches in depth
• Top-Freezer Refrigerators: 28 3/4 to 32 3/4 inches in width, 61 3/4 to 66 1/4 inches in height and 28 3/4 to 34 1/2 inches in depth
• Side-By-Side Refrigerators: 32 3/4 to 39 3/4 inches in width, 65 7/8 to 71 1/4 inches in height and 29 3/4 to 31 1/4 inches in depth
• French Door Refrigerators: 29 1/2 to 36 inches in width, 68 1/2 to 70 1/8 inches in height and 29 3/8 to 34 5/8 inches in depth

Knowing the standard sizes for refrigerators is beneficial. However, just knowing the standard height of a fridge, after all, won’t necessarily tell you if the refrigerator you want is too tall for your space. Since the size of a refrigerator will differ between models and brands, it's important to know how to measure a refrigerator and carefully measure your kitchen space. With tape measures and other measuring tools as needed, start gathering the following measurements.

• Measure the width of the space you plan to install the refrigerator at the upper cabinet, countertop and base levels. You want to measure the space at its narrowest points to ensure a good fit.
• Measure the height of the space from the floor to the lowest point on the upper cabinet. Make this measurement twice, first at the front of the space and then at the back of the space. These two measurements should be equal, but if they are not, work with the shorter of the two measurements.
• Measure the depth from the back wall to the front edge of your counters.
• If you have an island in your kitchen, measure the distance between the island and the counters adjacent to the refrigerator to ensure clearance during delivery.

Tip: Always measure the space where you plan to place the new refrigerator. Never measure your old refrigerator.

The refrigerator will need minimum clearances of 2 inches from the back wall, 1-inch from the upper cabinet and 1/8-inch on either side of the fridge. This will allow air to circulate around the box so the fridge runs efficiently and doesn't overheat.

• Subtract the minimum clearance from initial space measurements to find the maximum dimensions of the refrigerator models you can consider.
• Always check the manufacturer's recommendations on breathing space for the model and adjust your measurements accordingly.

When shopping for a new refrigerator, note the measurements of the model’s doors.

• In a bottom-freezer refrigerator, be sure to take note of how the door swings out and the drawer path. Make sure there is enough room in front of the fridge to accommodate the unit when it is open.
• Notice your body position as you open and close the door or freezer drawer of your current refrigerator. Is there enough space for you to stand in front of the unit with the door open?
• If there is an island in your kitchen, make sure it won't obstruct the doors when open.
• Be sure the doors will clear the cabinet on either side.
• Door hinges add height - up to an inch or more – above the fridge. Can the hinge operate without scraping the wall or cabinet? You may need to pull the unit farther out from the wall to be sure the hinges have clearance.