Standard base cabinets are 24 in deep (61 cm) and upper (wall) cabinets 12 in deep (30.5 cm). Tall pantry cabinets come 12 or 24 in deep and bathroom vanities 21 in (53 cm). The countertop over a 24 in base is about 25½ in (65 cm) deep. Depth is measured from the wall to the front of the cabinet box, not counting doors.
Cabinet depth chart
Stock cabinets come in a few standard depths, and the same numbers turn up from maker to maker. KraftMaid lists them by cabinet type:
| Cabinet | Standard depth | Other depths | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base cabinet | 24 in 61 cm | 12 in shallow, 27 in deep | 34½ in |
| Wall (upper) cabinet | 12 in 30.5 cm | 24 in over a refrigerator | 12 to 54 in |
| Tall pantry cabinet | 12 or 24 in 30.5 or 61 cm | none listed | 84 to 96 in |
| Bathroom vanity | 21 in 53 cm | 18 in for tight spaces | about 32 in; 36 in comfort height |
Sources: KraftMaid, kitchen cabinet sizes and vanity sizes. KraftMaid also builds to any width, depth or height in 1/16 in steps as a special order.
Other makers agree on the main numbers. Home Depot's stock Hampton Bay base cabinet is 36 in wide, 24 in deep and 34½ in tall (Home Depot), and IKEA's SEKTION base cabinet frame is 24 in deep (IKEA). IKEA's wall cabinets are the exception, at 14¾ in deep with the rail they hang on.
Base cabinet depth
24 in (61 cm) is the industry standard depth for base cabinets, KraftMaid says, and its base boxes are 34½ in (88 cm) tall so a 1½ in countertop brings the counter to 36 in (KraftMaid). The 24 in is the box: door and drawer fronts add a little at the front, and the countertop covers both. Our standard counter height guide shows how the 36 in adds up.
Two other depths are worth knowing:
- Deep base cabinets, 27 in (69 cm). KraftMaid offers them for larger cooktops and sinks. They need a deeper countertop to match.
- Shallow base cabinets, 12 in (30.5 cm). For a narrow hallway, a run against a column or a storage wall where a full base would block the walkway.
For something in between, such as 18 in deep cabinets for a laundry room or a narrow kitchen, vanity cabinets are the stock answer: KraftMaid makes vanities 18 and 21 in deep (KraftMaid vanities). Check the height, since vanities are shorter than kitchen bases.
Upper cabinet depth
Wall cabinets are 12 in (30.5 cm) deep as standard, and KraftMaid hangs them 54 in (137 cm) above the floor, 18 in above the counter (KraftMaid). That leaves about 13 in of counter in front of them clear of the cabinet above.
- Over a refrigerator: 24 in (61 cm) deep, which KraftMaid offers for building in around the refrigerator.
- IKEA: 14¾ in (37.5 cm) deep with the suspension rail, 14 3/8 in without it (IKEA SEKTION wall cabinet). Plan for the extra 2¾ in if you mix IKEA uppers with other cabinets.
How high the uppers go and how tall they are is covered in upper cabinet height.
Pantry and tall cabinet depth
KraftMaid makes tall pantry cabinets 12 or 24 in (30.5 or 61 cm) deep, 84 to 96 in (213 to 244 cm) tall and 9 to 36 in wide (KraftMaid). A 24 in pantry lines up with the base cabinets; a 12 in pantry fits a hallway or the end of a run and keeps cans one or two deep, where you can see them.
Bathroom vanity depth
Bathroom vanities are shallower than kitchen bases: 21 in (53 cm) as standard and 18 in (46 cm) for tight spaces, about 32 in tall, or 36 in at comfort height (KraftMaid). In a small bathroom the 3 in saved by an 18 in vanity can be what keeps the clear floor in front of the toilet; see toilet dimensions for the clearances, and bathroom vanity height for the height.
Every cabinet depth, side by side
Countertop depth
A countertop is 1 to 1½ in deeper than the 24 in base cabinet under it, so it covers the doors and drawer fronts and leaves a lip at the front. VT Industries makes its laminate kitchen tops 25⅛, 25¼ or 25½ in deep, depending on the edge, and 22¼ or 22½ in deep for vanities (Futura and Classic spec sheets). IKEA's KARLBY countertops are 25⅝ in (65 cm) deep and 1½ in thick (IKEA).
A deep base cabinet needs a deeper top, which may mean a slab instead of a stock laminate length. Where people sit at the counter, the top sticks out much further; our counter height guide covers overhang and knee space for seating.
Cabinet depth and appliances
A refrigerator labelled counter-depth is made to sit closer to the front of the counter than a standard one, which sticks out further. Appliance sizes are in counter-depth fridge size and dishwasher dimensions.
How to measure cabinet depth
- Open the door. Measure the side of the box from the wall to the front edge of the face frame or box. That is the depth makers list.
- Add the door. Measure the door or drawer front's thickness if you need the depth to the front of the cabinet.
- Measure the top. Measure the countertop from the wall to its front edge; it should be about 1 to 1½ in more than the box.
- Check the wall. Walls are rarely straight. Measure the depth at both ends of a run and use the larger figure when you plan the top.
- Measure the room. For a new layout, add 24 in for the base cabinets and the walkway in front of them before choosing a deep or shallow option.
Planning a mix of brands? Check each one's depth with and without the door. IKEA's uppers are 2¾ in deeper than standard 12 in uppers, and the difference shows where they meet.
Questions people ask
Are all base cabinets 24 inches deep?
Most are. 24 in is the standard, but KraftMaid also makes 12 in shallow and 27 in deep bases, and builds any depth to order in 1/16 in steps.
Can cabinets be 18 inches deep?
Yes. Vanity cabinets come 18 in deep from stock, and semi-custom lines such as KraftMaid build kitchen cabinets to any depth on special order.
Are all upper cabinets 12 inches deep?
No. 12 in is standard, but cabinets over a refrigerator are 24 in deep, and IKEA's wall cabinets are 14¾ in deep with their rail.
How deep are kitchen cabinets with the countertop?
About 25½ in. The base box is 24 in, and stock countertops from VT Industries and IKEA are 25⅛ to 25⅝ in deep, covering the doors and leaving a lip at the front.
How deep is a bathroom vanity?
21 in as standard, or 18 in for a small bathroom (KraftMaid).
How deep is a pantry cabinet?
12 or 24 in, and 84 to 96 in tall (KraftMaid).
Sources
- KraftMaid, What are standard kitchen cabinet sizes? and bathroom vanity cabinet sizes
- IKEA, SEKTION base cabinet frame, SEKTION wall cabinet, KARLBY countertop
- Home Depot, Hampton Bay KB36 base cabinet
- VT Industries, laminate countertop spec sheets: 2300 Futura edge, Classic edge (2024)
- Kitchen Cabinet Kings, standard toe kick height (toe kick in Figure 1)
Checked October 10, 2026. Metric values are converted from inches.