Kitchen unit sizes in the UK
Most UK kitchens are built from a small set of carcass sizes: a handful of widths, one height for base and wall units, and two depths. Knowing them lets you plan a run on paper, and turn it into a cut list when you build the units yourself.
Base units
| Dimension | Common size | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000 mm | 150 mm for tray and bottle units; 600 is the most common |
| Carcass height | 720 mm | Without legs or worktop |
| Legs | about 150 mm, adjustable | Hidden by the plinth |
| Carcass depth | 560–580 mm | Plus the door, about 18–22 mm |
| Worktop | 600 mm deep, 38–40 mm thick | Laminate worktops often come 3.0 or 4.1 m long |
| Worktop height | about 900–910 mm | 720 carcass + 150 legs + 38–40 worktop |
Wall units
| Dimension | Common size | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Width | the same widths as the base units | So doors line up above and below |
| Height | 720 mm, or 900 mm for tall wall units | Tops usually line up with tall units |
| Depth | about 300–330 mm | Leaves the front of the worktop clear |
| Gap above the worktop | about 450–500 mm | Check the cooker hood maker’s minimum over the hob |
Tall units and appliance spaces
Tall and larder units
Carcass heights of about 1970 or 2150 mm, 300–600 mm wide, the same depth as base units.
Dishwasher
600 mm wide, or 450 mm for a slimline one, under the worktop.
Cooker and oven
600 mm for a slot-in cooker or a built-under oven housing; wider range cookers need 900–1100.
Fridge and freezer
Usually 600 mm wide — under the worktop or in a tall housing.
Planning a run
- Measure the wall at worktop height and at the floor; use the shorter length.
- Take off the appliance spaces and any corner unit first.
- Fill what is left with standard widths, largest first — the calculator above does this exactly.
- Close the last few millimetres with a filler panel, or a scribed end panel if under about 25 mm.
- Put a tall unit or end panel where the run stops beside a door or window.
A worked example
Allowing only 600 mm units would leave the same 2400 mm as four units — and a 3100 mm wall would then need a 100 mm filler, which the calculator would close with a 500 unit instead. Change the widths you allow and it finds the best fit again.
From sizes to a cut list
Every carcass is the same set of parts: two sides, a bottom, rails or a top, and a shelf. The kitchen cabinet cut list shows how each size follows from the outside size and the board thickness; the button under the calculator sends the whole run to the optimiser, where it becomes sheets, edging and hinge holes.
Match what you are building toThese are common sizes, not a standard. Doors, hinges and worktops from a particular supplier are made for that supplier’s carcasses — measure theirs before you cut.
Questions
What is the standard kitchen unit width?
600 mm is the most common, with 300, 400, 500, 800 and 1000 mm alongside it, and 150 mm for narrow tray units.
How high is a kitchen base unit?
The carcass is usually 720 mm. On about 150 mm legs with a 38–40 mm worktop, the worktop ends up at about 900–910 mm.
How deep are kitchen units?
Base carcasses are about 560–580 mm deep and take a 600 mm worktop; wall units are about 300–330 mm.
Can I build units to any size?
Yes — building your own carcasses is exactly when odd widths make sense. Doors and hinges then have to be sized to match, see the cabinet door calculator.
Plan your cut list now
Free, in the browser, with no account. Layouts, edging totals and machine files from one list.