Modular kitchen dimensions
By the Inbecto team · Updated
A kitchen counter is about 2 ft 10 in high (34 inches, 865 mm) and 2 ft deep (600 mm). Wall units are 12 to 14 inches deep and start about 2 ft above the counter. A tall unit is about 7 ft high, and parallel counters need 3.5 to 4 ft of clear floor between them.
Standard sizes
Set the counter by the person who cooks most: the top should be about 4 to 6 inches below their elbow. The chimney height comes from its maker's manual; the figures above are the usual range.
| Part | Feet and inches | Millimetres |
|---|---|---|
| Counter height from floor | 2 ft 8 in to 3 ft (34 in usual) | 810 to 900 (865 usual) |
| Counter depth | 2 ft | 600 |
| Countertop with front lip | 2 ft 1 in | 625 to 640 |
| Plinth (skirting) under base units | 4 in | 100 |
| Gap from counter to wall units | 2 ft | 600 |
| Wall unit depth | 12 to 14 in | 300 to 350 |
| Wall unit height | 2 to 2.5 ft | 600 to 750 |
| Chimney above the hob | 2 ft 2 in to 2 ft 6 in | 650 to 750 |
| Tall unit | 7 ft high, 1.5 to 2 ft wide, 2 ft deep | 2100 × 450 to 600 × 600 |
| Single bowl sink | 2 ft × 1 ft 6 in | 600 × 450 |
Layouts and the space they need
| Layout | Suits | Smallest kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Straight (one wall) | Narrow kitchens and studio flats | 8 ft wall, 6 ft wide |
| L-shaped | Most 1BHK and 2BHK kitchens | 8 × 8 ft |
| Parallel (galley) | Long kitchens with a door at the end | 8 ft long, 7.5 ft wide |
| U-shaped | Larger kitchens, most storage | 8 × 10 ft |
| Island | Open kitchens | 12 × 12 ft, 3.5 ft round the island |
- The sink, the hob and the fridge make the work triangle: each side 4 to 9 ft, all three together 13 to 26 ft
- Keep at least 1 ft 6 in of counter beside the hob and beside the sink
- Do not put the hob under a window or right next to the fridge
How kitchens are measured and priced
Carpenters and modular brands in India price base and wall units by the running foot (length along the wall) or by the square foot of shutter area; tall units and appliances are priced by the piece. Measure each wall the units run along, take off the window and door widths for wall units, and add the corner once only.