Standard Kitchen Unit Heights and Depths (UK Sizes in mm)
Kitchen unit height and depth in mm — base units, wall units, worktop height, tall units — standard UK sizes and ranges before kitchen planning begins.
"Kitchen unit" and "kitchen cabinet" mean the same thing — base units, wall units and tall units — and the standard heights and depths below are the same numbers whichever word you use. All sizes are in millimetres and follow common UK/EU carcass conventions.
Base Units (Base Cabinets) — Height and Depth
| Dimension | Standard | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Carcass height (without worktop) | 720 mm | 700–750 mm |
| Plinth / leg height | 100–150 mm | 80–200 mm (adjustable) |
| Worktop height from floor | 850–860 mm | 820–920 mm |
| Carcass depth | 560 mm | 450–600 mm |
| Depth including door | 600 mm | 500–650 mm |
| Standard module width | 300–1200 mm in 100 mm steps | — |
The 850–860 mm worktop height is the averaged standard for a user height of 165–175 cm. The rule of thumb: optimal worktop height = user height minus 90–95 cm, with elbows bent at 90°.
Wall Units (Wall Cabinets) — Height and Depth
| Dimension | Standard | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Carcass height | 720 mm | 300–960 mm |
| Carcass depth | 300 mm | 280–350 mm |
| Depth including door | 320 mm | 300–360 mm |
| Gap from worktop to underside of wall cabinet | 500–600 mm | 450–700 mm |
| Underside of wall cabinets from floor | 1350–1450 mm | — |
| Top of wall cabinets from floor | 2070–2150 mm | — |
The minimum gap between the worktop and the underside of wall cabinets is 450 mm. Less makes it uncomfortable to work and is a hazard for doors above the hob. The optimum is 550–600 mm: a blender and open jars fit comfortably.
Tall and Larder Units
| Dimension | Standard | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 2000–2200 mm | To ceiling height |
| Depth | 560–600 mm | 350–600 mm |
| Width | 300–600 mm | — |
Built-In Appliances — Cut-Outs and Clearances
| Appliance | Opening width | Opening height | Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 cm oven | 560 mm | 590 mm | per manufacturer spec |
| 45 cm oven | 446 mm | 590 mm | per manufacturer spec |
| 60 cm hob | 560 × 490 mm | — | 5 mm all sides |
| 30 cm hob | 260 × 290 mm | — | 5 mm |
| 60 cm dishwasher | 600 mm | 820 mm | — |
| Integrated fridge | 540–560 mm | 1220 / 1770 mm | per manufacturer spec |
Always check the installation manual for the specific appliance model — the required opening dimensions are stated there. Clearances exist for ventilation and heat dissipation. A centimetre too much is always better than a centimetre too little.
Worktop Height by User Height
| User height | Recommended worktop height |
|---|---|
| Under 160 cm | 800–820 mm |
| 160–170 cm | 820–850 mm |
| 170–180 cm | 850–880 mm |
| 180–190 cm | 880–920 mm |
| Over 190 cm | 920–950 mm |
If two people of significantly different heights share the kitchen, choose a compromise height or plan separate work zones at different heights — for example, an island at one height and the perimeter run at another.
Aisle and Work Zone Widths
| Zone | Minimum | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Aisle between two cabinet runs | 900 mm | 1100–1200 mm |
| Single-person passage | 600 mm | 900 mm |
| Work zone at the hob | 600 mm | 900 mm |
| Work zone at the sink | 600 mm | 800 mm |
| Gap between hob and fridge | 300 mm | 450 mm |
Cabinet Depths in Other Rooms
| Furniture | Standard depth |
|---|---|
| Sliding wardrobe (clothing) | 600 mm |
| Wall-hung bedroom cabinet | 350–400 mm |
| TV unit | 350–450 mm |
| Bookcase / shelving | 250–300 mm |
| Bedside table | 350–400 mm |
| Hallway wardrobe (coats) | 600 mm |
| Hallway shoe cabinet | 350–400 mm |
What to Watch for When Deviating from Standard
- Non-standard base cabinet depth — check that a standard dishwasher (600 mm) or fridge will still fit
- Worktop height above 870 mm — a standard dishwasher may not fit under the worktop
- Wall cabinets deeper than 350 mm — the door may foul an open base cabinet door below
- Tall unit with no ceiling gap — allow a minimum 20 mm ventilation gap at the top
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard depth of a kitchen unit?+
A standard base kitchen unit is 560 mm deep at the carcass, 600 mm including the door — deep enough for a standard fridge or dishwasher to sit flush. A standard wall unit is 300 mm deep at the carcass, 320 mm including the door.
What is the standard height of a kitchen unit?+
A standard base unit carcass is 720 mm tall; with a 100–150 mm plinth and worktop, the worktop sits 850–860 mm from the floor. A standard wall unit carcass is also 720 mm, though wall units range from 300 mm up to 960 mm depending on the gap to the ceiling.
What is the standard depth of a kitchen worktop?+
A standard kitchen worktop is 600 mm deep, matching a 560 mm base carcass plus a slight overhang at the front edge.
How deep are standard kitchen units in the UK?+
In the UK, base units are 560–600 mm deep (worktop included) and wall units are 300–320 mm deep — the same as the general EU carcass standard.
What is the standard height for kitchen wall units in the UK?+
UK wall units are typically 720 mm tall, hung with their underside 1350–1450 mm from the floor and their top around 2070–2150 mm from the floor, leaving a 500–600 mm gap above the worktop.
What is the standard height of a kitchen base unit?+
A base unit's carcass is 720 mm tall. Add a 100–150 mm adjustable plinth/leg height and the worktop, and the worktop surface ends up 850–860 mm above the floor — the most common UK/EU standard.
How deep are kitchen worktops and base cabinets?+
Base cabinets run 560 mm deep at the carcass (600 mm with the door), and the worktop on top is 600 mm deep — occasionally 650 mm for an extra-generous overhang.