How To Measure Kitchen

How To Measure Kitchen

Accurate measurements are the single most important step in planning a kitchen remodel. Get them right, and everything falls into place. Get them wrong, and you're dealing with gaps, returns, and expensive mistakes.

The good news? Measuring your kitchen isn't complicated. You don't need professional tools or experience. A tape measure, a pencil, and about 30 minutes is all it takes.

Here's exactly how to do it.

What You'll Need

  • A tape measure (25 feet is ideal)
  • A pencil and paper (graph paper helps but isn't required)
  • A helper (makes measuring easier, but you can do it alone)
  • Your phone camera (for reference photos)

Step 1: Sketch Your Kitchen Layout

Start by drawing a rough bird's-eye view of your kitchen. Don't worry about being artistic — this is a working sketch, not a blueprint. Include:

  • All walls (draw them as straight lines)
  • Doorways and openings
  • Windows (mark where they are on the wall)
  • Where your sink, range/cooktop, and refrigerator are (or will be)

Label each wall with a letter (A, B, C, etc.) so you can keep your measurements organized.

Step 2: Measure Each Wall

For each wall in your kitchen, measure and record the following:

Total Wall Length

Measure from corner to corner at countertop height (about 36" from the floor). Measure each wall independently and record the measurement to the nearest 1/8". Don't assume walls are perfectly square — they rarely are.

Pro tip: Always measure at three heights — near the floor, at countertop level, and near the top of the wall cabinets. If the measurements differ, use the smallest number. This ensures your cabinets will fit even if walls aren't perfectly plumb.

Ceiling Height

Measure floor to ceiling in several spots. If your ceiling height varies (older homes especially), note the lowest point. This determines your maximum wall cabinet height and whether 30", 36", or 42" wall cabinets will work best.

Step 3: Mark Windows and Doors

For every window and doorway, record:

  • Width of the window or door opening (including trim/casing)
  • Height from the floor to the bottom of the window sill
  • Height from the floor to the top of the window (including trim)
  • Distance from the nearest corner to the edge of the window/door trim

This tells your designer exactly where wall cabinets can and can't go, and what size bridge cabinets to use above windows.

Step 4: Mark Appliance Locations

Note the location and dimensions of every appliance:

  • Refrigerator: Width, depth, and height. Note which side the hinges are on.
  • Range/Cooktop: Width (most are 30" or 36"). Note if it's freestanding, slide-in, or built-in.
  • Dishwasher: Almost always 24" wide. Note which side of the sink it's on.
  • Microwave: Will it be over the range, in a wall cabinet, or on the counter?
  • Wall oven: Width and height of the oven cutout.

For each appliance, measure from the nearest corner or wall to the center of the appliance. This helps your designer position everything correctly.

Step 5: Note Plumbing and Electrical

Mark the approximate locations of:

  • Sink plumbing (water supply and drain locations)
  • Gas line (if you have a gas range)
  • Electrical outlets (especially any that are behind where cabinets will go)
  • Light switches
  • Vent/hood ductwork

Moving plumbing and electrical is possible but adds cost. If you can work with existing locations, it simplifies the project significantly.

Step 6: Note Any Obstructions

Look for anything that might affect cabinet placement:

  • Pipes or ductwork that comes through the wall or ceiling
  • Soffits (bulkheads) above the cabinets
  • Radiators or baseboard heaters
  • Light fixtures that might interfere with upper cabinets
  • Floor vents or returns

Step 7: Take Photos

Photos are incredibly helpful for designers. Take pictures of:

  • Each wall straight-on
  • All corners
  • Existing appliances
  • Any obstructions or unusual features
  • Your overall kitchen from multiple angles

These don't need to be professional — phone photos are perfect. They help your designer understand the space in ways that measurements alone can't convey.

Common Measurement Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't round up. If a wall measures 119-3/4", write 119-3/4" — not "about 120 inches." Even 1/4" matters with cabinetry.
  • Don't measure from baseboard to baseboard. Baseboards will be removed. Measure the actual wall-to-wall distance.
  • Don't forget the ceiling. Ceiling height determines wall cabinet size and whether crown molding will work.
  • Don't assume corners are square. Use a framing square or measure diagonally to check. Out-of-square corners are handled with filler strips.
  • Don't forget to measure existing cabinet depth if you're keeping your countertops or matching existing depth.

Don't Want to Measure? We Can Work with Almost Anything.

We've designed kitchens from hand-drawn sketches on napkins, photos with measurements written on sticky notes, and even quick phone descriptions. Our design team has seen it all, and we can work with whatever you've got.

The more accurate your measurements, the more precise our design will be — but don't let "I'm not sure my measurements are perfect" stop you from getting started. We'll ask follow-up questions if anything looks off.