How to measure your kitchen for cabinets
You don't need a pro to get started — a tape measure, a rough sketch and about twenty minutes is enough for us to build a free 3D design and an exact quote. Here's how to do it in six steps.
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Sketch the room from above
Draw a rough overhead plan of the kitchen — you don't need it to scale. Mark every wall that will hold cabinets, plus the doors, windows, and where the sink, range, refrigerator and any other appliances sit. This sketch is what we turn into your free 3D design.
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Measure each wall, corner to corner
Measure the full length of every wall in inches, from one corner to the next, at about 36″ off the floor (counter height). Measure the whole wall even where appliances sit — we design around them. Write each length on your sketch.
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Mark windows, doors and openings
For each window and doorway, record the width and height, and the distance from the corner to the edge of the opening. Note the height from the floor to the bottom of each window — it tells us how tall wall cabinets can go beside it.
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Locate appliances and utilities
Mark the center of the sink, range/cooktop, refrigerator, and dishwasher, plus any gas line, plumbing stub or electrical outlet. Standard openings: range 30″ wide, dishwasher 24″ wide, refrigerator about 36″ wide × 72″ tall — leave those gaps in the run.
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Note the ceiling height
Measure floor to ceiling in a couple of spots (rooms aren't always level). This decides whether 30″, 36″ or 42″ wall cabinets fit, and whether there's room for a soffit or crown.
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Send it to us for a free 3D design
Photograph or scan the sketch and send it over. We return a free 3D layout and an itemized, no-obligation quote — and free door samples so you can confirm the finish before you order.
Standard sizes to plan around: base cabinets 34½″ H × 24″ D, wall cabinets 12″ D in 30/36/42″ heights, countertop 1½″ thick × 25½″ deep, 18″ clearance above the counter.
Then what?
Send your sketch and we'll turn it into a free 3D design and an itemized quote — usually within one business day. Want to know the rough cost first? See the cabinet cost guide, or pick a look on the door styles & finishes page. Call (346) 758-7867 or request your free design.
Get a free 3D design & quote →
Measuring FAQs
What are standard kitchen cabinet dimensions?
Base cabinets are 34½″ high and 24″ deep (about 36″ to the top of the counter). Wall cabinets are 12″ deep and come in 30″, 36″ and 42″ heights. Countertops are about 1½″ thick and 25½″ deep, with 18″ of clearance between the counter and the bottom of the wall cabinets.
How do I estimate how many linear feet I need?
Add up the wall lengths your cabinets will cover (in inches) and divide by 12. Count base and wall runs together. A typical 10×10 kitchen comes to about 25 linear feet — see the cabinet cost guide for what that works out to in price.
Do I need exact measurements to get a quote?
No. A rough sketch with wall lengths and appliance positions is enough for a free 3D design and ballpark quote. We confirm exact dimensions before anything is built, so a close first measurement is fine to get started.
What if my walls aren't square?
Most aren't. Measure each wall independently corner to corner and note the ceiling height in a few places. Our design accounts for out-of-square walls with filler strips and scribe pieces so the finished run sits tight.