Can I reuse my old kitchen cabinets if I am remodeling? Sometimes you can reuse old cabinets, but often you need new ones. This guide will help you learn how to measure cabinets for your kitchen accurately so you can buy the right size, whether you are replacing old units or designing a whole new space.
Accurate measuring is the most vital first step in any kitchen project. Small mistakes in measuring kitchen cabinets for replacement or new installations can lead to big, costly problems later. This detailed kitchen cabinet measurements guide will show you the exact steps to take. We will cover everything from picking the right tools for measuring kitchen cabinets to finalizing the kitchen cabinet layout measurement process.
Why Accurate Measurement Matters
When you are determining correct cabinet dimensions, precision is key. Cabinets must fit snugly between walls, under counters, and align perfectly with appliances. If your measurements are off by even half an inch, it can stop the entire installation process. Getting this right the first time saves time, money, and frustration.
Consequences of Poor Measurements
- Gaps and Openings: Cabinets won’t meet evenly. This looks bad and lets dust in.
- Appliance Conflicts: New appliances, like dishwashers or refrigerators, might not slide into the space reserved for them.
- Ordering Errors: You might order units that are too wide or too tall for the designated area. This often means long wait times for returns and reorders.
- Installation Delays: Installers cannot finish the job until the correct parts arrive.
Preparing for Accurate Cabinet Measurement
Before you start measuring, you need the right plan and the right tools. Preparation makes the whole process smoother and more precise.
Essential Tools for Measuring Kitchen Cabinets
Good tools give you reliable numbers. Do not rely on a worn-out tape measure.
- Laser Distance Measurer: These are fast and very accurate for long runs. They reduce human error when reading a tape.
- High-Quality Tape Measure: Use a steel tape measure that locks securely. Look for one with a good stand-out distance.
- Sturdy Step Stool or Ladder: Safety first! You need to reach high spots safely.
- Pencil and Graph Paper (or Digital Tablet): For sketching the layout and recording numbers immediately.
- Level and Plumb Bob: To check if walls and floors are straight. Walls are rarely perfectly plumb (vertical).
- Metal Straight Edge: Useful for checking if the floor is level over a short distance.
Checking the Space: Walls, Floors, and Ceilings
Cabinets are designed to sit in a perfect box. Most kitchens are not perfect boxes. You must check how “out of square” your space is.
Measuring Wall Straightness
Measure the distance between two parallel walls at three points: the floor, the middle, and the ceiling.
- Measure Wall A to Wall B at the floor level.
- Measure Wall A to Wall B halfway up the wall.
- Measure Wall A to Wall B at the ceiling level.
If these three numbers are different, your wall is not straight. Use the smallest measurement for ordering base cabinets, as you will use shims to fill the gap on the wider side during installation.
Checking for Level Floors and Ceilings
Use your long level or metal straight edge across the floor where cabinets will sit. Check this in several places. If the floor slopes, you must compensate by shimming the base of the cabinet when setting it.
Measuring for Lower (Base) Kitchen Cabinets
Lower cabinets support your countertops. Their height and depth are very important. This section guides you through measuring for upper and lower kitchen cabinets.
1. Determining Cabinet Width
Cabinet width is measured from the finished wall surface to the next finished wall surface or to the edge of another cabinet run.
The Rule of Thumb: Always measure the width at three points—floor, middle, and top—just like checking wall straightness. Use the smallest measurement for ordering.
Calculating Required Width:
Subtract the total width of any fixed items that will not be cabinets. These items include:
- Ranges or Cooktops
- Dishwashers (usually 24 inches wide)
- Refrigerators (if they sit flush between cabinets)
- Trash compactors
Example: If your wall space is 120 inches wide, and you have a 30-inch range and a 24-inch dishwasher, the total width left for standard cabinets is $120 – 30 – 24 = 66$ inches. You would use this space to select your base cabinet sizes (e.g., one 36-inch cabinet and one 30-inch cabinet).
2. Determining Cabinet Depth
Base cabinets typically have a standard kitchen cabinet size depth of 24 inches. This depth is measured from the back wall to the front edge of the cabinet box (not including the door or drawer fronts).
Steps for Measuring Depth:
- Measure from the finished back wall straight out to the edge where the countertop will end.
- Check this depth in several spots along the run.
- If you have non-standard depths (like older homes), you must use the smallest depth measurement. You can always add filler strips to the back of a standard cabinet if the wall is much further away.
3. Setting the Cabinet Height
Base cabinet height is crucial for countertop ergonomics. The standard height for the cabinet box is usually 34.5 inches.
Total Countertop Height Calculation:
Standard Countertop Height = Cabinet Box Height + Countertop Thickness
If you use a standard 1.5-inch granite or solid surface countertop:
$34.5 \text{ inches (box)} + 1.5 \text{ inches (counter)} = 36 \text{ inches (total height)}$
Measuring Existing Space Height:
- Measure the distance from the finished floor to the bottom of the window sill or any obstruction above the counter area.
- Compare this to the required 36-inch total height. If your floor is uneven, measure the highest point of the floor and use that as your starting point for the box height calculation.
Measuring for Upper (Wall) Kitchen Cabinets
Upper cabinets determine the look of your kitchen and need careful attention, especially concerning vertical clearance.
1. Determining Upper Cabinet Width
The width measurement for upper cabinets follows the same rules as base cabinets: measure wall to wall at three points and use the smallest measurement.
Key Consideration: Fillers and End Panels
Remember to account for filler strips. If you have a 49-inch gap, you might order a 48-inch cabinet and plan to use a 1-inch filler piece against the wall or at the end of the run. Filler pieces allow for minor wall imperfections and make installation look professional.
2. Determining Upper Cabinet Depth
Standard kitchen cabinet sizes for wall cabinets are usually 12 inches deep. Some specialized cabinets, like those over a refrigerator, might be 18 or 24 inches deep to align with the depth of the base cabinets below.
Measure the required depth from the wall out to where you want the cabinet front to sit. Ensure this depth does not interfere with doorway traffic.
3. Setting the Upper Cabinet Height
Height measurement for wall cabinets involves two critical clearances:
A. Space Above the Countertop (Backsplash Clearance)
This is the most important height measurement. It dictates the distance between the top of your base cabinets/counter and the bottom of the wall cabinets.
- Standard Clearance: 18 inches is the typical distance between the countertop and the bottom of the wall cabinets.
- Tall Users: If you are very tall, you might prefer 20 or 21 inches.
Measurement Process:
- Measure the height from the finished countertop surface up to the window sill or any obstruction.
- Subtract your desired clearance (e.g., 18 inches) from that number. The result tells you the maximum height of your wall cabinet box, plus the trim/light rail molding you might add to the bottom.
B. Total Cabinet Height
Wall cabinets come in standard heights like 30, 36, or 42 inches.
If you have 9-foot ceilings (108 inches) and are using a 36-inch wall cabinet with an 18-inch clearance above the counter:
$108 \text{ (ceiling)} – 18 \text{ (clearance)} = 90 \text{ inches available}$
If the cabinet box is 36 inches tall:
$90 \text{ (available)} – 36 \text{ (cabinet)} = 54 \text{ inches remaining space above the cabinet}$
If you use a 42-inch cabinet:
$90 \text{ (available)} – 42 \text{ (cabinet)} = 48 \text{ inches remaining space above the cabinet}$
You will usually use crown molding to bridge the gap between the top of the wall cabinet and the ceiling.
Tips for Measuring for New Kitchen Cabinets (Custom Work)
If you are planning a custom layout or fitting cabinets into an older, unique space, these custom kitchen cabinet measuring tips are vital for success.
Measuring Irregular Spaces and Corners
Corners are tricky because they are often not 90 degrees.
Inside Corners
Measure the distance from the back wall to the corner edge on Wall A. Then, measure the distance from the back wall to the corner edge on Wall B. These two measurements should dictate the depth of the two cabinets meeting at the corner.
- Pro Tip: For blind corners, you often sacrifice space. You might order a cabinet designed specifically for a blind corner (L-shaped or kidney-shaped pullouts). Measure the actual usable opening into the corner if you are using specialized hardware.
Outside Corners
For cabinets meeting at an outside corner, measure the width of the run leading up to the corner on each wall. Standard cabinet depths usually align nicely here, but confirm the total overlap is accounted for in your design software or drawings.
Accounting for Filler Strips
Filler strips are thin pieces of wood trim (usually 3/4 inch or 1.5 inches wide). They are essential when:
- A cabinet run ends at a wall or appliance.
- A cabinet run meets another cabinet run at an angle that isn’t perfect.
- You need to cover slight wall imperfections.
Always budget for filler strips when calculating total cabinet width needed. For example, if you need 100 inches of total cabinet space, do not order cabinets that add up to exactly 100 inches. Order slightly less (e.g., 98 inches) to leave 2 inches for fillers.
Measuring Appliance Openings
Every appliance has specific rough-in dimensions. Always get the installation manual for new appliances before finalizing cabinet opening sizes.
| Appliance Type | Typical Width (Inches) | Key Measurement to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Dishwasher | 24″ | Total width, height clearance |
| Standard Range/Cooktop | 30″ | Width and depth cutout area |
| Refrigerator | Varies | Width of the enclosure frame |
| Microwave Drawer | Varies | Specific cutout dimensions |
The Kitchen Cabinet Layout Measurement Process: Documenting Your Findings
A collection of numbers is useless without a clear map. Follow this process for clear documentation when measuring kitchen cabinets for replacement.
Step 1: Sketch the Room Layout
Draw a simple overhead view of your kitchen floor plan. Label where the windows, doors, sink location, and major appliances are positioned.
Step 2: Note Dimensions on the Sketch
For each wall run:
- Mark the total length of the wall run (using your smallest measured value).
- Mark the locations of all breaks (windows, doorways, corners).
- For wall cabinets, draw lines indicating where the top and bottom cabinets will sit. Mark ceiling height and countertop height clearly.
Step 3: Create a Measurement Log
Use a table format to organize your findings. This is crucial for accurate cabinet sizing for installation.
Lower Cabinet Log Example:
| Wall Section | Start Point | End Point | Wall Width (Min) | Required Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall 1 (Sink) | Left corner | Range cutout | 78.5″ | 24.25″ | Floor slopes slightly here. |
| Wall 2 (Pantry) | Range side | Right corner | 30.0″ | 24.0″ | Standard depth. |
Upper Cabinet Log Example:
| Wall Section | Start Point | End Point | Wall Width (Min) | Height (Bottom to Counter) | Cabinet Height Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall 1 | Left corner | Range area | 78.0″ | 18.0″ | 36″ Box |
| Wall 2 | Range side | Right corner | 30.0″ | 18.0″ | 42″ Box (to meet 42″ above stove) |
Step 4: Double-Check Everything
This step separates a good measurement job from a great one.
- Measure Twice, Cut Once (or Order Once): Measure every single critical dimension again, preferably using a different person or tool (e.g., use the tape measure if you used the laser first).
- Review Standards: Compare your needed dimensions against standard kitchen cabinet sizes. If your measurements call for a 33.75-inch cabinet, you likely have a measurement error, as most standard cabinets come in 3-inch increments (e.g., 30″, 33″, 36″).
Special Considerations for Cabinet Replacement
If you are measuring kitchen cabinets for replacement, you have one advantage: you can measure the existing units as a starting point. However, you must still verify everything.
Measuring Existing Cabinet Box Dimensions
If you are keeping the same footprint, measure the existing box:
- Width: Measure the face frame from outside edge to outside edge.
- Height: Measure the box from the floor (or bottom support) to the top of the box.
- Depth: Measure the box from the back panel to the front edge of the box.
Why Existing Measurements Might Lie
Do not blindly trust old measurements. Old cabinets might have been installed using poor techniques:
- They may have been shimmed excessively to look straight against a bowed wall.
- The old countertop might hide a gap or an unusually tall box.
Always prioritize measuring the space over measuring the old cabinet. Use the old cabinet as a reference, but base your new order on the raw dimensions of the empty cavity.
Dealing with Non-Standard Sizes
If you have older homes, you may encounter non-standard depths (e.g., 21 inches) or heights. If you opt for semi-custom or custom cabinets, you can order exact sizes. If you choose stock cabinets, you must plan to use filler strips to bridge the gaps between the stock cabinet and the wall or doorway.
Comprehending Cabinet Terminology
Knowing the right terms helps when talking to suppliers and ensuring accurate cabinet sizing for installation.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Rough Opening | The unfinished space in the wall or floor cavity where the cabinet unit will go. |
| Face Frame | The visible wooden frame around the front of the cabinet box. |
| Overlay | How much the door covers the face frame. Full overlay means the door covers almost all the frame. |
| Toe Kick | The recessed area at the bottom front of the base cabinet, usually 3.5 inches high and 3 inches deep, where your feet rest. |
| Plumb and Level | Plumb means perfectly vertical; Level means perfectly horizontal. All cabinets must be installed plumb and level relative to each other. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Cabinet Measurement
How much space should I leave between my upper cabinets and the countertop?
The standard clearance is 18 inches. This leaves enough room to work comfortably while cooking. Taller people might prefer 20 or 21 inches. Always check that your total required height allows for a standard cabinet box plus molding underneath that meets your desired clearance.
Should I measure the cabinet box or the doors when ordering replacement cabinets?
You must measure the space where the cabinet will sit. If you are replacing only the doors, measure the existing cabinet face frame opening precisely. For full cabinet replacement, measure the wall cavity dimensions, not the old cabinet dimensions.
What if my walls are not square? Which measurement do I use?
If walls are not square (meaning the distance between them varies from floor to ceiling), always use the smallest measurement you recorded. This measurement dictates the maximum size cabinet that will fit without forcing. You will use shims during installation to fill the extra space behind the cabinet where the wall bows out.
Do I need to measure the toe kick area?
Yes, but usually, the toe kick is standard (3.5 inches high by 3 inches deep). If you are placing cabinets against an existing wall or floor that is heavily uneven, measuring the existing toe kick or the floor slope is important so you can plan how to level the base of the new cabinet boxes correctly.
What is the standard depth for base kitchen cabinets?
The standard depth for the base cabinet box is 24 inches, which results in a final countertop depth of about 25 inches once the countertop overhang is added. Always confirm the depth required by your specific appliances.