Every successful kitchen remodel starts with taking correct measurements. Whether you're replacing old cabinets, updating appliances, or designing an entirely new look, knowing your exact dimensions will go a long way in saving you from costly mistakes and ensuring everything fits just so.
The following instructions will walk you through the whole process involved in measuring your kitchen like a pro. You don't need to have a technical background or use any special tools.
Why accurate measurement matters
Before buying any cabinets or devising a new layout, first understand what the dimensions of your space are. Exact measurements:
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Ensure that cupboards and appliances can be fitted without blocking throughways or doors.
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Helps avoid occurrence of gaps or crowding due to miscalculation.
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Enable accurate planning in your design tool or with a designer
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Smooth communications with contractors, retailers, or installers
Getting it right from the very outset means the whole renovation can be much more efficient, cost-effective, and not stressful.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Generally speaking, all that may be required during a measuring session in the kitchen should already be at the owner's disposal:
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Tape measure, preferably 25+ feet
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Paper or graph paper to draw on
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A pencil and eraser
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Step stool or ladder to reach the upper measurements
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A smartphone or other digital camera, for taking pictures and making notes
Allow yourself about an hour in the average kitchen to measure fully and check your work.
Step 1: Draw a Simple Floor Plan
Draw an overhead view of your kitchen. It doesn't have to be to scale—just an outline showing where the walls, doors and windows are. Include:
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All walls and boundaries of rooms
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Direction of door swings
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Window locations and sizes
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Appliances include refrigerator, stove, dishwasher.
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Sinks and visible plumbing
Examples of permanent fixtures include radiators or floor vents.
Do not draw in any existing cabinets at this stage of the design process. Draw the room itself.
Graph paper is very helpful for laying out straight lines and marking out proportions, if you have it.
Step 2: measure horizontal wall lengths
Using the tape measure, start in one corner and work your way around the room, measuring each wall or section in inches. Take the measurement about 36" above the floor-standard counter height.
Record:
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Length of each wall
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Width of doors and windows (from outside edge of trim to edge of trim)
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Distance between the walls and window/ door openings
Label the doors in your diagram as "D" and the windows as "W".
Example:
Wall A – corner to window = 50"
Window width = 36"
Window to wall end = 48"
Account for any openings and obstacles. If the wall continues into another room, be sure to clearly note the transition.
Step 3: Measure vertical heights
The most important vertical dimensions are:
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Wall units
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Wall mounted microwaves or hoods
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Full-height pantries
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Window clearance
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Backsplash size
You'll want to measure:
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Floor to ceiling height in at least 2–3 places
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Height from floor to bottom of windowsill
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Height of window and trim Floor to top of doors
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Bulkhead or soffit depth and height, if applicable
Older homes are most likely to include some irregularities, sloping ceilings, or uneven floors, for example; note these so that there are no problems with fitting later.
Step 4: Locate Plumbing, Gas, and Electrical Points
These will be necessary if you want to relocate or move appliances. You may not be moving them, but it is good to know where they are exactly for the planning of the cabinet and layout.
Mark the following on your drawing:
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Sink plumbing: supply and drain
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Gas line for stove or oven
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Electrical outlets and switches
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LAYMAN Connection of appliances like a dishwasher, oven, or hood vent.
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Any water lines going to the refrigerator
Label:
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PP for power outlets
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G for gas
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DW for dishwasher
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H/C for hot/cold water lines
This will make sure that from your future kitchen island to the pantry cabinet, everything has proper spacing and access.
Step 5: Double Check Your Measurements
Take a moment to check your math once all measurements are recorded. For example:
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Total wall length = sum of smaller measurements
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Measure walls twice to confirm accuracy
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Cross-compare measurements against photo references, if applicable
If you notice discrepancies-like wall segments that just don't add up to your total wall length-measure again. It's better to catch them now, rather than at the installation site.
Step 6: Photograph for Reference
Once you've completed your measuring, photograph each wall and corner clearly. If at all possible, write a label like "Wall A" or "Window West Side" on a sticky note and include that in the photo.
These visuals can help:
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You or a designer-remember layouts that already exist
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Explain how the elements relate to each other
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Confirm details such as trim depth, lighting location, or built-in appliances
Additional Tips for Precise Kitchen Measurements
Always measure in inches-the common format used in American cabinetry planning.
Take notes that are legible and organized so confusion is just a word.
Even small features like vents and uneven walls can be important-so mark them down.
Graph paper can help with cleaner sketches but isn't required.
If you're unsure about your ceiling height, you really should measure at several points, particularly around corners.
What's Next?
Now that you've measured, you're ready to design. Take this opportunity to get started in planning your space using our free design services.
In fact, if you are working with a designer or retailer, this is usually the first step in the process of receiving a 3D layout, quote, and total materials list.
When Professional Help Should Be Sought
If you're at all unsure whether your walls are level, whether your windows can support cabinet placement, or how to account for unique architectural features, then it is perfectly reasonable to have a professional visit and verify your work. Often, cabinet retailers will do this for free or as part of their service package.
The key to a successful kitchen makeover is accurate measurement. Whether it's upgrading a handful of cabinets or installing an entirely new setup, the time you take now to carefully and thoughtfully document your space will pay dividends in saved time, budget, and frustration down the line. If you're interested in getting a free kitchen layout review or help choosing cabinets based on your measurements, just let me know-I can help you with that too.