How to Measure for Kitchen Appliances

Before choosing a new kitchen appliance, make sure it can be brought into your home. Decide on the entryway and route you want the delivery people to take. Do a dry run. Using a measuring tape, measure along the delivery path, from start to finish.

Determine the height of any doors or entryways.

• Measure doorway widths from jamb to jamb.
• Measure the height of hallways along your path.
• Add an extra inch or two on each side of doors and entryways. This will allow room for the delivery person to maneuver the appliance.
• Write down all measurements to take with you shopping.

If your appliance or its box is larger than the smallest doorway or hallway along your path, it's too big. You may have to remove doors, measure another route or choose a smaller appliance.

For the right fit for a refrigerator or freezer, compare the size of the space with the size of the appliance. Here’s how:

Measure the space where the appliance will be located. You will need to pull any existing appliance out to do this. Be safe and turn off any power or water to the unit first.

• Measure the height from the floor to the lowest point of any upper cabinets.
• Measure the width between any side cabinets.
• Subtract 1 inch of breathing room above and at least 2 inches behind refrigerators or freezers. This will provide the total space available for the new appliance.

Measure the new refrigerator:

• For height: Measure from the floor to the hinge top.
• For width: Measure from the left edge to the right one.
• For depth: Measure for two types of depth. For closed depth, measure from the front of the door handle to the back. This will be the amount of space needed for installation. For open depth, measure from the edge of the open door or drawers to the back. This will be the amount of space you need to use the appliance properly. If your new appliance has double doors, measure the depth of the doors 90 degrees open.

Measure for the new chest freezer:

• For height: Measure height two ways. For closed height, measure from the front of the door handle to the back. This will be the amount of space available for installation. For open height, measure from the top ledge of the freezer to the top of the fully open door. This will be the amount of space you need to use the appliance properly.
• For width: Measure left to right.
• For depth: Measure front to back.

Tip: Always include any feet, hinges or any condenser coils in back of a refrigerator or freezer into your measurements.

A well-fitting range will be flush with the countertop and side cabinets, excluding any front handles or knobs. To determine fit, compare the size of the existing space with the size of the appliance. Here’s how:

Measure the cabinet space.

• Measure the height from the floor to the top of the countertop.
  For built-ins, measure the height to right under the cabinet.
• Measure the width from one side to the other.
  Width can vary from top to bottom. Measure the width at both the top and the cabinet base, including any moulding. Use the narrowest of the measurements.
• Measure the depth from front to back.
• Subtract the amount of space needed between the wall and the range according to the manufacturer.

Measure the range:

• For height: Measure from floor to cooktop, not the control panel. Include any feet.
• For width:
  Measure from the left edge to the right.
• For depth: Measure the widest part of the unit to the back. Do not include any handles or knobs.

Tip: Make sure the range door can open at least 90 degrees and any top control panel clears the upper cabinets.

Unless you’re planning to change out your cabinets, your cooktop will be the same size as your existing unit. Remove your old cooktop to measure it. Be safe and unplug the unit first.

Measure the inside of the existing cut-out space:

• For width: Measure from left to right.
• For depth: Measure from front to back of the cut-out.
• For height: Measure from floor to top of counter.
• Subtract any space needed for any gas lines, ventilation or other manufacturer requirements beneath the cooktop.
• Make sure the top of the cooktop is the proper distance from any hood or cabinets above it.

Measure the existing cooktop.

• For height: Measure from the top to the bottom of the unit.
• For depth: Measure from front to back edge.
• For width: Measure the widest part from left to right.

Tip: Most cooktops have an overlap of up to a full inch all around. Measure the clearance depth needed between the cooktop and the back wall and the cooktop and the front edge.

A dishwasher is designed to be fit right under the counter and be even with the cabinets. You’ll need to slide out your existing unit to measure the inside of the cabinet. Be safe. Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water first.

Measure the cabinet space:

• For height: Measure from floor to right under the countertop. Right and left side height measures can vary. Use the smaller number.
• For width: Measure the width from left to right. Width measurements can vary from top to bottom. Measure the width at the top then at the bottom. Use the narrowest of the measurements.
• For depth: Measure from the back to the front.
• Subtract the inches needed for plumbing or other the manufacturer’s specifications.

Measure the existing unit:

• For the height: Measure from the bottom to the top.
• For the width: Measure from the left edge to the right.
• For the depth: For closed depth, measure from the front to the back. Include any components on back. Include the door but not any knobs or handles. This will be the measurement of depth needed for installation. For open depth, measure from the top to the bottom of the open door. This will be the amount of depth needed to use the appliance properly.

You’ll need to remove your existing wall oven to measure the inside of the cabinet. Be safe and unplug the unit and turn off any gas first. Wall ovens are heavy, so get help. Once the unit is removed:

Measure the inside of the cabinet opening.

• Measure the height from top to bottom.
• Measure the depth from the back to the front.
• Measure the width from one side to the other. Most cabinet openings are not the same width at the top and the bottom. Measure the width of the countertop at the top. Measure the width of the cabinet at the bottom. Use the narrowest of the measurements.

Measure the existing unit:

• For height: Measure from the top to the bottom of the unit.
• For depth: Measure from front to back edge.
• For width: Measure the widest part from left to right.

Keep these general tips in mind to make sure your new appliance will fit in your home:

• An existing kitchen cabinet opening may not be the same width at the top and the bottom. Use the narrowest width. Likewise, the right and left sides may not be the same. Use the shortest height.
• Ask for the dimensions of the appliance box to ensure it will fit on delivery.
• Never assume all brands of an appliance have the same measurements.
• The measurement that is back to front is the depth, the width is left to right, and the top to bottom measurement is the height.
• Always measure twice. Be precise. Even a half inch can cause issues.
• Always include any feet, hinges or other protrusions in your measurements.
• Make of a note of measurements that allow room for a person to fully open and close the appliance’s doors.
• Double check that you have a level floor, the right electrical outlet and any necessary hoses and plumbing before delivery.