The Ultimate Guide to Standard Kitchen Cabinet Sizes

Remodeling or building a new kitchen is an exciting venture with many decisions to make. A major element of remodeling your kitchen is choosing new or upgrading existing cabinets. Luckily, the invention of standard kitchen cabinet sizes means one less choice you’ll need to make. 

Depending on the exact layout of your kitchen, you’ll have to make decisions on base cabinets, wall cabinets, and tall cabinets. Learn more about each of these three types of cabinets and standard kitchen cabinet dimensions for each. 

Kitchen Base Cabinet Sizes  

The first of these three core types of kitchen cabinets are kitchen base cabinets, which are the cabinets that exist in the space between your countertop and floor. Also called under-counter cabinets, these types of cabinets need to be sturdy enough to support the weight of activity on your counter. Kitchen base cabinet dimensions can be customized to include sinks, corners, pull-out trash cans, and drawers. 

The standard height for kitchen base cabinets is 34.5 inches (36 inches including the countertop), while the standard depth is 24 inches. The width of kitchen base cabinets can vary depending on the design, but range from 12-48 inches. 

Note: In general, standard cabinet widths have the widest variety across all cabinet types. 

Kitchen Wall Cabinet Sizes 

The second of these three core types of kitchen cabinets are kitchen wall cabinets, which are the cabinets that hang on the wall above the counter. Also called upper kitchen cabinets, kitchen wall cabinets come in a wider variety of sizes and can vary greatly in terms of style. 

Kitchen wall cabinets are a common design focal point due to their visibility. They can be customized to showcase the homeowner’s unique personality with elements such as glass paneling, unique fixtures, interior lighting, a fun cabinet paint color, and more. 

The standard height for kitchen wall cabinets includes options at 12, 15, 18, 30, 36, and 42 inches, while the standard depth is 12 or 24 inches. The width of kitchen wall cabinets is 12, 15, 18, 24, or 36 inches.

It's important to note that the depth of kitchen wall cabinets must be less than the depth of the base cabinets, otherwise you’ll have trouble working and preparing food on the countertops. 

Kitchen Tall Cabinet Sizes 

The final of these three core types of kitchen cabinets are kitchen tall cabinets, also known as pantry cabinets. These cabinets are taller than other cabinet types (hence the name), and there are typically only one to two of them in a given kitchen. They're ideal for narrow spaces and are not exclusive to kitchens—they may also be found in laundry rooms or separate pantries. 

The standard height for kitchen tall cabinets is 84-94 inches, while the standard depth is 12 to 24 inches. The width of kitchen tall cabinets is 12, 24, or 36 inches.

How To Measure for Kitchen Cabinets: 6 Steps 

Now that you have an understanding of the standard cabinet sizes, you can determine which size options will work best for you and set your kitchen installation professional partner up for success. Follow the steps below to measure your ideal kitchen cabinet sizes.

• Sketch your floor plan: Before starting the measuring process, sketch out the ideal layout of your new kitchen, including where the cabinets will go. Factor in placement of the kitchen sink, dishwasher, range or oven, and any pantry space you may want to include. This step is especially important if you're mapping out a brand-new kitchen.
• Measure horizontally: Using a measuring tape, measure the length of each wall in the kitchen. Be sure to factor in placement of doors, windows, storage solutions, and any existing appliances, measuring from the outer trim of any windows and doorways for the most accurate measurements. 
• Measure vertically: Measure from the ceiling to the floor in a few locations throughout the kitchen. This will inform your options for kitchen cabinet height for both base cabinets and wall cabinets. 
• Measure any segments: Be sure to also measure any trim or molding in your kitchen. 
• Measure depth: Measure the standard cabinet depth of 12-24 inches out from the wall and mark the furthest point on the floor. If your kitchen exists in an L configuration or your cabinets will wrap around your kitchen, make sure you follow this step to ensure you’re not imposing too much depth in your cabinet setup. If you have or are considering adding a kitchen island, you’ll want to take note of cabinet depth early on. 
• Contact a service professional: Now that you’ve taken all your measurements and added them to your floor plan, you’re ready to contact a professional to help you choose and install the best cabinets for your kitchen. 

Contact Mr. Handyman for Kitchen Cabinet Installation

With this understanding of standard kitchen cabinet sizes, you’re ready to take the next step in updating your cabinets! Whether you’re looking to execute a simple cabinet upgrade, an aging in place redesign, or major kitchen renovation, the team at Mr. Handyman® is here to help you with all your cabinet installation needs. 

Request service today and get started in creating the kitchen of your dreams. 

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mr. Handyman is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mr. Handyman location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.

Standard Kitchen Cabinet Sizes FAQs

Mr. Handyman has been helping homeowners repair, maintain, and enhance their spaces for over 25 years! We are the one-stop solution for everything on your to-do list. This includes answering your questions about home repairs, maintenance, and improvements. Here are answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about kitchen cabinet sizes.

What size are upper kitchen cabinets?

Upper kitchen cabinets, or wall cabinets, have a standard kitchen cabinet height of 12-42 inches, a standard width of  12-36 inches, and standard depth of 12-24 inches. 

What is the standard spacing for kitchen cabinets? 

An important measurement to consider for kitchen cabinet sizes is the distance between the countertop or top of the base cabinets and the bottom of the wall cabinets. The ideal working space between base cabinets and upper cabinets is 15-20 inches.

What is the standard depth of base cabinets?

The standard cabinet depth of base cabinets (the cabinets underneath kitchen countertops) is 24 inches.

How deep are kitchen cabinets?

Kitchen cabinet depth varies on the type of cabinet and the size of the kitchen itself. For example, wall cabinets tend to be shallower than base cabinets—12-24 inches for wall cabinets and a standard cabinet depth of 24 inches for base cabinets.