Typical kitchen units reach 36 in worktop height (915 mm); wall units are 30–42 in tall, and tall pantry units run 84–96 in.
Kitchen planning gets easier once you know the standard heights. Heights drive comfort, reach, and appliance fit. This guide gives clear numbers in both imperial and metric, plus quick tweaks for small cooks, tall cooks, kids, and seated prep.
Standard Heights For Kitchen Units Explained
Cabinet makers repeat a handful of sizes because they suit most bodies and rooms. Below is a quick map of common heights for base, wall, and tall storage across US and UK/EU ranges.
| Unit Type | Common Height (US) | Common Height (UK/EU) |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop Height Over Base | 36 in total (34.5 in box + 1.5 in top) | ~900–915 mm total (720 mm carcase + 150 mm plinth + 20–40 mm top) |
| Base Cabinet Box | 34.5 in | 720 mm |
| Wall Cabinet | 30, 36, or 42 in | 575, 720, or 900 mm |
| Tall/Pantry Cabinet | 84–96 in | ~2000–2140 mm |
| Toe Kick/Plinth | 4–5 in | 150 mm typical (adjustable legs) |
| Counter To Wall Cabinet Gap | 18 in | 450–500 mm |
What Sits Behind Those Numbers
Base units hit a sweet spot that lets most adults chop and wash without shrugging shoulders or bending too far. In the US, the carcase often measures 34.5 inches. A common top adds around 1.5 inches, landing the work surface at 36 inches. In the UK and much of Europe, a 720 mm carcase sits on adjustable legs and a 150 mm plinth. Add a 20–40 mm slab, and the surface lands near 900–915 mm.
Wall units come in families: 30, 36, and 42 inches in the US; 575, 720, and 900 mm in the UK. Shorter boxes leave breathing room above the splashback. Taller runs push storage higher or wrap to the ceiling. Tall or pantry units act like closets, commonly 84–96 inches in the US and around 2.1 meters in the UK.
Clearances And Rules That Affect Final Height
Two standards matter in many projects. One relates to reach and work surfaces. The other relates to safety above cooking zones. If you’re sizing for seated use or mixed ages, these rules shape the plan.
Accessible Work Surface Limits
US accessibility rules cap a general work surface at 34 inches max for an accessible spot. That cap can sit at an island wing or a pull-out board. The ADA 34-inch work surface rule sets that ceiling, and the NKBA’s planning guidelines detail clearances that keep reach practical.
Typical Counter To Wall Cabinet Gap
The gap between the worktop and the bottom of wall units lands near 18 inches in the US or 450–500 mm in many UK layouts. That space leaves room for kettles, coffee machines, and tall mixers.
Hob And Hood Safety
Above a hob or range, follow the hood maker’s spec first. For combustibles, many guides call for roughly 30 inches (about 760 mm) of clearance over a cooktop.
How To Calculate Your Finished Worktop Height
Think of the worktop height as a stack:
- Plinth or legs (UK common: 150 mm; US toe kick: 4–5 in)
- Carcase height (UK common: 720 mm; US: 34.5 in)
- Top thickness (20–40 mm, or 1–1.5 in)
Tweak any layer and the surface moves. Thinner quartz can drop the surface a notch. Taller legs raise it for a tall cook. In retrofit work, you can lift the top with a sub-deck or lower it by trimming the plinth within the leg range.
Picking Heights For Real People
Good sizing starts with the person who uses the kitchen most. Here’s a simple way to set a comfy prep height: stand straight, bend your elbow to ninety degrees, then drop 10–15 cm (or 4–6 inches). That spot feels natural for chopping and stirring. If two adults share the space and they’re far apart in height, plan one stretch of lower surface and one at standard height.
Ideas For Mixed Heights
- Island split level: One section at 34 inches for seated tasks, one at 36 inches for standing prep.
- Pull-out board: A wide, strong pull-out gives a lower spot without changing cabinet runs.
Where Brands Differ
Flat-pack systems and bespoke joinery use the same logic, but base measurements can shift. IKEA’s METOD frame height is 80 cm; add 8 cm legs and a 2–4 cm top and you reach roughly 90–92 cm. US semi-custom shops tend to keep the 34.5 inch box so doors and panels line up with ranges and dishwashers.
Heights By Task, Not Just By Habit
One size rarely fits every task. Many cooks like a slightly lower surface for pastry or dough work. A higher surface can suit bar seating or quick breakfasts. Use the ranges below to tune a run to the way you cook and live.
| Dimension | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prep/Chop Surface | 34–36 in (865–915 mm) | Lower end for shorter users or seated prep |
| Baking Surface | 32–34 in (815–865 mm) | Cooler dough handling; pull-out works too |
| Bar Eating Ledge | 40–42 in (1015–1065 mm) | Stools need ~12 in knee space |
| Counter To Wall Unit | 18 in (US); 450–500 mm (UK) | Check kettle and mixer heights |
| Hob To Combustibles | ~30 in (760 mm) | Follow hood specs for exact figure |
| Accessible Work Surface | 28–34 in (710–865 mm) | See NKBA and ADA references |
Ceiling Height And Tall Units
Ceiling height decides which wall box works and whether tall units stop short or reach the lid. In an 8-foot room, a 30-inch wall box leaves a gap for moulding. A 36-inch box often lines up with simple crown. With 9-foot ceilings, tall units at 96 inches give a tidy line.
Going to the ceiling adds storage and removes the dust shelf. The trade-off is reach.
Appliance Fit And Panel Lines
Ranges and dishwashers want the surface near 36 inches to slide in and sit flush. Built-ins pair with tall units measured in 84, 90, or 96 inch blocks in the US and around 2.1 meters in the UK.
When To Break From Standard
Go off-menu when the cook’s height, a wheelchair user, or a tight room makes the standard a pain. A section at 34 inches meets seated tasks and shorter users. A bake center at 32–33 inches turns out pie crusts with less strain. If you often stand tall and like to work upright, a 37 inch island can feel great.
Quick Checks Before You Order
Room And Body
- Measure floor to finished ceiling in more than one spot.
- Pick a worktop height that matches your elbow test.
- Decide where, if anywhere, you want a lower or higher section.
Appliances And Services
- Confirm range, hood, and fridge specs against wall and tall unit heights.
- Leave the standard counter-to-wall gap unless a tall mixer needs more air.
- Check plumbing and electrics against final shelf and drawer layouts.
Cabinet System
- Match carcase heights so door rails align across brands.
- Plan plinth height early if you need extra toe space or a robot mop dock.
- Pick a top thickness that hits your target height without clashing with appliance panels.
Bottom Line On Picking The Right Height
Use the norms as a start: around 36 inches to the top for most standing work, 30–42 inches for wall boxes, and 84–96 inches for full-height units. Then tune a section or two to the cook and the room. When a rule clashes with comfort, create one dedicated accessible spot and keep the main run at a height that feels natural. That approach keeps the kitchen tidy and easy to use. Test worktop height with cardboard shims first.