How to Measure Your Kitchen for Cabinets: Step-by-Step Guide

Accurate measurements are the starting point for a reliable kitchen cabinet layout. A cabinet order can include the correct individual cabinet sizes and still fail to fit if wall lengths, appliance clearances, ceiling height, fillers or fixed obstructions were missed during measuring.

1. Draw the room shape first

Make a simple top-down sketch of the kitchen. Mark each wall that can contain cabinets and label the walls A, B, C and so on. The drawing does not need to be architectural; it needs to show the relationship between walls, openings, appliances and fixed conditions.

2. Measure every wall

Measure each wall from finished corner to finished corner. Record dimensions in inches and measure at more than one height when practical because walls can be out of square. Do not subtract cabinet widths yet. Record the actual room dimensions first.

3. Record the ceiling height

Measure floor-to-ceiling height in several locations. Ceiling height affects the choice of upper cabinets, top fillers, crown or riser details and whether stacked cabinets are practical. Do not assume the ceiling is perfectly level.

4. Locate windows and doors

For every window and door, record the overall opening width and the distance from a known corner to each side of the opening. For windows, also record the height from the finished floor to the bottom of the window because this can affect countertop and sink placement.

5. Measure all appliances

Record the actual width, height and depth of the refrigerator, range, cooktop, wall oven, microwave, dishwasher and any wine or beverage refrigerator. Use the appliance manufacturer's installation dimensions when available because the cabinet opening may need to differ from the appliance's exterior dimensions.

6. Mark plumbing, gas and electrical

Show the approximate centreline of the sink plumbing, dishwasher location, gas line, range or cooktop connection, outlets and other services that affect cabinet placement. Existing service locations can sometimes move, but identifying them helps distinguish a cabinet-only plan from a plan that also requires trade work.

7. Note soffits, bulkheads and other obstructions

Record bulkheads, ducts, columns, radiators, vents, ceiling drops and anything else that reduces usable cabinet space. Include the width, height and depth of each obstruction where possible.

8. Identify finished ends and wall conditions

Mark which cabinet sides will be visible. Exposed cabinet ends can require finished panels. Cabinet runs against walls normally need planning allowance for fillers or scribe pieces so doors and drawers can operate correctly even when walls are not perfectly straight.

9. Add the desired layout information

Once the room is measured, identify where you would like the sink, range, refrigerator, dishwasher, pantry and island or peninsula. Also note storage requests such as drawer bases, waste-bin pull-outs, spice pull-outs, Lazy Susan corners and pantry roll-outs.

10. Verify before ordering

Review the measurements a second time before cabinets are ordered or fabricated. Pay particular attention to total wall lengths, appliance openings and corner dimensions. ShopKitchens' Measuring Guide provides a quick reference, and you can send your measurements, sketches or photos for a kitchen estimate.

What happens after measuring?

With the room dimensions confirmed, the cabinet list can be developed using base cabinets, wall cabinets, pantry cabinets, corner solutions, panels, fillers and accessories. If you want a fast starting point, use the Instant Kitchen Price tool before final cabinet verification.