COUNTER-DEPTH REFRIGERATOR DIMENSIONS
Considering a counter-depth fridge but don’t know what size to get? Learn how to measure your kitchen space to find the right fit.
How deep is a counter-depth fridge? A counter-depth refrigerator should be approximately the depth of your kitchen counters to create a streamlined, built-in look with your kitchen cabinets and countertops. Most kitchen counters are about 24–25 inches in depth, so when you’re looking for a counter-depth fridge, you’ll need a model with similar depth.
However, when you factor in backsplashes, handles, knobs and other hardware, there is a surprising amount of variation in counter-depth measurements. For this reason, precise measurements are essential for selecting the best counter-depth refrigerator size for your kitchen.
WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS OF A COUNTER-DEPTH REFRIGERATOR?
Most counter-depth fridge dimensions top out with a depth of around 30 inches. By contrast, traditional refrigerators can be as deep as 36 inches.
To make up for the shallower depth measurement, standard counter-depth fridge dimensions tend to be wider (around 36 inches). Sometimes, counter-depth models are slightly taller, too, though this is less noticeable. While these may be standard measurements, it’s still important to find the exact fit for your home.
STEP 1: DETERMINE YOUR REFRIGERATOR PLACEMENT
If you’re looking to add a counter-depth refrigerator to your new kitchen design or remodel, you’ll need to pay close attention to not only the depth, but also the width and height of your planned cabinet cutout. Alternatively, you can also place your refrigerator at the end of a row of cabinets. This way, if your refrigerator is a little wider, it won’t have any issues fitting into a cabinet cutout.
If you’re replacing a normal full-size refrigerator with a new counter-depth model, make sure your existing cabinet cutout can accommodate the extra width and height often present in counter-depth fridge dimensions. You might be a bit more space constrained — unless you’re willing to remodel your kitchen’s layout.
Once you’ve decided where you’ll place your new counter-depth refrigerator, you’ll need to get exact depth, width and height measurements of the space.
HOW TO MEASURE FOR A COUNTER-DEPTH REFRIGERATOR
Follow these steps and tips to get accurate counter-depth refrigerator measurements for your kitchen.
STEP 1: DETERMINE YOUR REFRIGERATOR PLACEMENT
If you’re looking to add a counter-depth refrigerator to your new kitchen design or remodel, you’ll need to pay close attention to not only the depth, but also the width and height of your planned cabinet cutout. Alternatively, you can also place your refrigerator at the end of a row of cabinets. This way, if your refrigerator is a little wider, it won’t have any issues fitting into a cabinet cutout.
If you’re replacing a normal full-size refrigerator with a new counter-depth model, make sure your existing cabinet cutout can accommodate the extra width and height often present in counter-depth fridge dimensions. You might be a bit more space constrained — unless you’re willing to remodel your kitchen’s layout.
Once you’ve decided where you’ll place your new counter-depth refrigerator, you’ll need to get exact depth, width and height measurements of the space.
STEP 2: MEASURING DEPTH
To measure the depth, start at the wall (not the backsplash) and measure to the edge of your countertop. Your counter-depth measurement should be about 24-25 inches. This dimension is equivalent to the depth of the refrigerator box, excluding the refrigerator doors and handles.
Keep in mind that refrigerators need some breathing room on all sides to run efficiently. Make sure to account for at least an inch of space between the back of the fridge and the wall to ensure proper ventilation.
Total depth of a counter-depth refrigerator is typically under 30 inches, including the doors and handles. To allow the refrigerator doors to open sufficiently, the refrigerator box will need to extend at least an inch or two beyond the front of your countertop.
There are several depth measurements provided in the specs for counter-depth refrigerators to account for depth of the refrigerator box, depth with doors and handles, depth with the doors open, etc. You’ll likely see the following depth measurements specified when shopping for counter-depth refrigerators:
Depth Including Doors
Depth Excluding Doors
Depth Closed Including Handles
Depth Closed Excluding Handles
Depth With Door Open 90 Degrees
Depth With Drawers Open
Consider all of these depth measurements when selecting your new fridge to ensure the best fit. For example, if you have a kitchen island, make sure the refrigerator doors and drawers will clear the edge of the island when they swing open.
STEP 3: MEASURING WIDTH
Counter-depth refrigerators are typically wider than traditional fridges in order to maintain a similar capacity with a shallower depth.
When measuring the width of your cabinet cutout, make sure to measure at the narrowest point. Then, take this measurement and subtract one inch to account for at least a half-inch of empty space on both sides for proper ventilation. If one side of your fridge will be next to a wall, leave about four inches between the fridge and the wall so the door can open to 90 degrees.
Step 4: Measuring Height
Counter-depth refrigerators are often a little taller than traditional refrigerators. To obtain an accurate height measurement, start at the floor and measure to the bottom of any cabinets that will be above your fridge. Subtract a half-inch from your measurement to account for proper ventilation.
For more information on standard refrigerator dimensions, check out our Fridge Size Guide, for detailed measuring instructions, diagrams and more.
Keep your cabinet cutout dimensions and maximum counter-depth fridge measurements top of mind when you’re shopping, whether it’s in store or online. A few minutes with the tape measure can spare you a lot of headaches later on.
POPULAR COUNTER-DEPTH REFRIGERATOR DIMENSIONS AND STYLES
Once you’ve measured your space and have the maximum dimensions for your fridge, it’s time to consider different styles of counter-depth refrigerators, including French door. Check out the counter-depth fridge dimensions for this Maytag® model below.
With a depth under 30 inches, the French Door Counter-Depth refrigerator has a 36-inch width and a standard height of 69 inches.
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