Expert Guide to Standard Kitchen Cabinet Heights

When remodeling or building a new kitchen, one of the most important early steps is planning the kitchen cabinet heights. Having the right standard cabinet measurements in place is crucial for maximizing function and storage in your kitchen design.

In this in-depth guide, we will cover everything you need to know about standard kitchen cabinet heights. You'll learn the typical mounting heights for both upper and lower cabinets and the factors that impact these. We also dive into standard countertop heights and how cabinet heights affect overall kitchen layout and clearance.

Upper Kitchen Cabinet Height

What is the Standard Height for Upper Cabinets?

The standard height to mount upper kitchen cabinets is 18 inches from the countertop up to the bottom of the wall cabinet. This leaves a clearance of around 15 inches from countertop to the bottom of the upper cabinet doors and boxes when closed.

An 18 inch upper cabinet height is the typical standard in most kitchens. At this height, there is adequate clearance for most kitchen activities like opening appliances and lifting mixing bowls while still providing plenty of usable storage space in the upper cabinets.

Factors That Impact Upper Cabinet Mounting Height

While 18 inches is the commonly used standard, there are some factors that can impact the ideal mounting height for your upper kitchen cabinets:

• Ceiling Height Restrictions - Low 8 foot ceilings may require shorter 15-30 inch upper cabinet heights.
• Distance from Countertops - Some guidelines recommend at least 15-18 inches of open space between countertops and upper cabinets for comfortable clearance.
• Appliance Clearance - Upper cabinets around refrigerators or ranges may need to be mounted higher for clearance.
• Lighting Fixtures - Mounting height needs to account for proper light fixture placement and clearance.
• Window Placement - A sink window often requires shorter wall cabinets above for lighting.

When to Use Alternative Upper Cabinet Heights

While 18 inches is standard, here are some situations where alternative heights may work better:

• With 8 foot ceilings, a 30 inch upper cabinet height is often best to leave open visual space.
• Kitchens with taller refrigerators may need to mount cabinets higher around 24-30 inches above for clearance.
• Shorter 12-15 inch upper cabinets can provide lighting and visibility above a sink window.

Lower and Base Cabinet Height

What is the Standard Base Cabinet Height?

For lower and base kitchen cabinets, the standard height is 34-35 inches. This leaves a comfortable clearance of around 15 inches between the top of the base cabinets and a standard 36 inch tall countertop height.

A standard 35 inch tall base cabinet combined with a 36 inch countertop height leaves enough open space for most adults to work comfortably at the counter while still maximizing storage.

When to Adjust Base Cabinet Height

While 35 inches is typical, the lower and base cabinet mounting height can be adjusted in some situations:

• For very tall cooks over 6 ft, increase base cabinet height to 36 inches.
• In wheelchair accessible kitchens, lower base cabinets to 32 inches high.
• When designing a kitchen with kneehole space, 30 inch base cabinets work well.

Minimum Height for Sink Base Cabinet

The base cabinet height under the kitchen sink is one area where the standard height may need adjusting. Most sinks require a minimum 36 inch wide sink base cabinet. But some larger sink bowls need more clearance, which requires increasing the sink base cabinet height to 42 inches.

Standard Countertop Height

Typical Countertop Heights

Since base cabinet and countertop heights are interdependent, selecting the right countertop height is an important part of planning your kitchen. Here are some standard countertop height options:

• The standard countertop height is 36 inches.
• 35 inches is another common height, slightly lower for more comfort.
• 34 inches is a typical wheelchair accessible countertop height.
• Some extra tall cooks prefer a higher 38 inch countertop.

Factors Impacting Countertop Height

Some of the factors that help determine the ideal countertop height for your kitchen include:

• Matching the height of your base cabinets, usually around 35-36 inches.
• The primary user's height and ergonomics.
• Required clearance for upper cabinets, often 18 inches above the counter.
• Work triangle layout and desired clearance between countertops.

How Cabinet Height Impacts Kitchen Layout

Allow Clearance in Work Areas

The height of your base and wall cabinets will impact the kitchen layout in terms of clearance. Here are some kitchen design considerations related to cabinet heights:

• Allow at least 15 inches of clearance between countertops in main kitchen work areas for comfortable access and elbow room.
• Make sure there is adequate clearance next to appliances when installed between base cabinets.

Coordinating Cabinet and Appliance Heights

Standard refrigerator height is around 70 inches. If installing a particularly tall unit, adjust upper cabinet mounting height to allow proper clearance above the refrigerator. Standard range hood height is typically 30-36 inches above the cooktop surface. When planning, make sure wall cabinets above ranges and cooktops are mounted high enough for range hoods to fit without colliding.

Also consider how cabinet and appliance heights impact door and drawer access. Having adequate clearance for cabinet doors and drawers to fully open is an important kitchen layout consideration.

Adjusting Around Windows and Ceilings

The placement of windows often limits how high upper cabinets can be mounted above kitchen sinks and other areas. With low 8 foot ceilings, opting for shorter 30-36 inch wall cabinet heights rather than standard 36 inch sizes can visually open the kitchen.

When designing your kitchen, carefully planning the standard cabinet heights is one of the most important early steps. Keep in mind the typical mounting heights for base and wall cabinets, standard countertop heights, and how cabinet heights impact the kitchen's layout and functionality.

This guide covers the standard kitchen cabinet height measurements and considerations you need to design a kitchen optimized for comfort, clearance, and storage. By following these kitchen cabinet standards, you'll end up with a beautiful, functional kitchen layout.