As I have given this quick intro-to-cabinet-measurements explanation numerous times in person, I figured I would write it out for all of you today. Here are some basics about cabinet measurements:
First of all, here in the United States, we measure our cabinets in inches. That should be pretty obvious. What may be less obvious is that we also use specific increments when it comes to cabinets. Cabinet widths come in multiples of three. Cabinet widths are 9, 12, 15, 18 inches and so on. Wall cabinet heights also increase by 3s, although your three main wall cabinet heights are 30, 36, and 42 inches. Warning: Ikea and other European cabinet makers do not use this increment system. Their cabinet sizes will not be the same as with American brands. You will need to adjust or modify most layouts to convert them into an Ikea- compatible layout.
Second, base cabinets are nearly always 24 inches deep. Wall cabinets are almost always 12 inches deep. This allows for some head space when you are working at the kitchen counter. It would be pretty awkward and uncomfortable if the wall cabinets stuck out as far as the base cabinets. I would certainly always be hitting my head. Bathroom base cabinets are usually 18 or 21 inches deep, just to be different, I guess.
Another number to be aware of is counter height. Standard kitchen counter height is 36 inches off the ground. This is why most base cabinets are 34.5 inches tall. They allow 1.5 inches for the counter that goes on top. Bathroom vanity cabinets can sometimes be shorter, so be sure to double check the height when buying a vanity.
And one of the most important things to know about cabinet measurements (and the thing I get the most questions about) is how to actually measure them. How do I know what size cabinet is currently in my kitchen? Cabinets are measure along the face frame. A 12-inch cabinet is not 12 inches inside; it’s not 12 inches along the back either, unless it is a frameless cabinet (frameless cabinets will be the same exterior width in the front and rear of the cabinet). A 12-inch cabinet is 12 inches at the widest point along the front face of the cabinet. This face frame is the widest spot on the cabinet and is the area that will bump up against the next cabinet. That is how cabinets are measured widthwise. Therefore, a 12-inch base kitchen cabinet will be 34.5 inches tall, 24 inches deep, and 12 inches from outside edge to outside edge.
These are the basics of cabinet measurement. Now it is time to go order some kitchen cabinets!
