Standard kitchen cabinet dimensions in Spain start from a base unit 70-72 cm high and 56-60 cm deep, with widths in increments of 15, 30, 45, 60, 80, or 90 cm; the countertop sits about 85-90 cm from the floor, and wall units are 30-35 cm deep. Working with this modular system prevents the need for cutting, poorly finished gaps, and appliances that do not fit.
Designing a kitchen may seem like a matter of style, but in reality, it is a problem of centimeters. Most frustrations during a renovation—a dishwasher that doesn't fit, a range hood that is too low, a hallway that prevents the oven from opening—stem from not following standard measurements. In this guide, we gather the dimensions that truly matter and relate them to actual products from the Merkimarket kitchen catalog, because the width of your sink or hood dictates the cabinet that houses it.
Key facts about kitchen dimensions
- Base unit height: 70-72 cm for the body, excluding the countertop and legs.
- Final countertop height: between 85 and 90 cm from the floor (body + plinth + countertop).
- Base unit depth: 56-60 cm; with the countertop overhang, it reaches 60-63 cm.
- Cabinet widths: 15, 20, 30, 40, 45, 60, 80, 90, and 120 cm. The 60 cm unit is the standard for sinks, ovens, cooktops, and dishwashers.
- Wall units: 70-90 cm high and 30-35 cm deep, mounted 50-60 cm above the countertop.
- Tall units (columns): 200-220 cm high, 60 cm wide, and 56-60 cm deep to integrate an oven, microwave, or refrigerator.
- Plinth (toe kick): 10-15 cm, adjustable via the legs.
With these figures, you can now perform an initial check; below, we develop each section so you can plan without surprises.
The three heights that dictate a kitchen
Before thinking about modules, it is best to set three heights, as daily ergonomics depend on them. The first is the working height, meaning the top surface of the countertop: it is standard to set this between 85 and 90 cm from the floor. This is achieved by adding the plinth (10-15 cm), the base unit body (70-72 cm), and the thickness of the countertop (2 to 4 cm for laminate, less for porcelain). If the person cooking is tall, raising it to 90-92 cm prevents back strain; if they are short, 82-85 cm is more comfortable.
The second is the height of wall units: their bottom edge usually sits 140-145 cm from the floor, which leaves 50-60 cm of free space above the countertop for working without bumping into them. The third is the distance from the range hood to the cooktop, which we will address later as it has its own regulations. Once these three dimensions are set, the rest of the design becomes much more predictable.
| Element | Height | Depth | Typical Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base unit | 70-72 cm (no countertop) | 56-60 cm | 15 to 120 cm (modules) |
| Countertop (final height) | 85-90 cm from floor | 60-63 cm | — |
| Wall unit | 70-90 cm | 30-35 cm | 30 to 90 cm |
| Tall unit | 200-220 cm | 56-60 cm | 60 cm |
| Plinth | 10-15 cm | — | — |
Base units: depth, height, and module widths
The base unit is the foundation of everything. Its body measures 70-72 cm high and 56-60 cm deep, a depth that is not coincidental: it matches the recess space for integrated appliances and allows the countertop to slightly overhang the front. What changes from one module to another is the width, and that is the key to a well-designed kitchen: everything is planned in standard steps.
| Module Width | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 15-20 cm | Bottle rack or narrow pull-out column |
| 30-40 cm | Drawer unit or auxiliary cabinet | 45 cm | Compact dishwasher or drawer unit |
| 60 cm | The king module: sink, oven, cooktop, or dishwasher |
| 80-90 cm | Double-bowl sink or corner cabinet |
| 120 cm | Double sink with drainboard or wide undermount sink |
The clearest example is the sink, which sets the width of the cabinet that houses it. A 60 cm sink requires a 60 cm module; a double-bowl one, such as the Oslo double-bowl sink by Aquore, needs an 80-90 cm base to be installed comfortably. If you choose a more compact ceramic sink, like the 42x60 cm Tribo model, a 60 cm module is sufficient. Always measure the sink basin before finalizing the cabinet, never the other way around.
Wall units and range hoods: dimensions and distances
Wall units hang on the wall and serve as visible storage. Their depth, 30-35 cm, is half that of base units so as not to obstruct the workspace or cause you to bump your head while cooking. In height, you will find three standards: 70 and 72 cm for continuous cabinet lines and 90 cm when you want to utilize space nearly to the ceiling. It is best to leave 50-60 cm between the countertop and the bottom edge of the wall unit, which is sufficient for a kitchen robot or a blender without feeling cramped.
The range hood deserves special attention because its width must be equal to or greater than that of the cooktop: a 60 cm cooktop requires a minimum 60 cm hood, and a 90 cm cooktop requires a 90 cm hood. Regarding the vertical distance to the cooktop, the general recommendation is between 60 and 75 cm, keeping closer to the maximum for gas cooktops due to the flames, and slightly lower for induction. A 60 cm hood with good extraction, such as the 60 cm Cecotec extractor hood with 550 m³/h, fits into the standard 60 cm module and prevents smoke from invading the rest of the kitchen. If you want to dive deeper into power and noise, our extractor hood guide will help.
Tall units and recesses for integrated appliances
When you want an oven at eye level or to hide the refrigerator behind a door, you enter the realm of tall units: floor-to-ceiling cabinets, 200-220 cm high, 60 cm wide, and 56-60 cm deep. Standardized recesses are housed within them. The most common is the 60 cm wide space, shared by ovens, built-in microwaves, and most integrated appliances. For the oven, the typical recess is around 56-57 cm wide and 59 cm high; for an integrated refrigerator, the 60 cm tall unit hides a body with a recess of about 56-57.5 cm.
A good example of a piece designed for integration is the 267 L integrated combi refrigerator by Cecotec, which disappears behind the cabinet door while maintaining a seamless aesthetic. The same logic applies to a wine cooler or a built-in coffee maker: before buying, verify that the recess of your tall unit matches the installation dimensions in the technical sheet. One centimeter more or less is the difference between a clean integration and a cabinet that must be redone.
Plinth, countertop, and clearances: the overlooked details
Between the theoretical dimension and the assembled kitchen, there are several details that make a difference. The plinth or bottom kickplate, at 10-15 cm, is hidden behind adjustable legs and serves to level the unit on a floor that is rarely perfectly flat; it is also where LED strip lighting is hidden. The countertop adds 2 to 4 cm to the final height depending on the material and usually overhangs the front of the cabinet by 2-3 cm, bringing the total depth to 60-63 cm.
Equally important are the circulation clearances. In a parallel or island kitchen, leave at least 90-100 cm of clearance between fronts, preferably 120 cm if two people are cooking at the same time or if the oven and dishwasher need to be opened while facing each other. Forgetting this walkway is one of the most expensive mistakes to correct. If you are defining the general layout, it would be useful to review our guide on modern kitchens: styles, layout, and materials.
How to plan your kitchen measurements in 6 steps
- Measure the actual space. Note the length, width, and height of each wall, and mark the position of windows, doors, pipes, water connections, and smoke outlets. Measure at several points: walls are rarely parallel.
- Set the countertop height. Decide between 85 and 90 cm based on the height of the primary cook; the plinth and base body are determined by this.
- Place fixed points first. Sink (due to drain), cooktop and hood (due to smoke outlet), and refrigerator. The remaining modules are arranged around these.
- Divide into standard modules. Combine widths of 60, 45, 30, and 15 cm until each section is filled; avoid custom cuts except in the final corner module.
- Check appliance recesses. Contrast the width, depth, and mounting height of each appliance with its technical sheet before finalizing the cabinets.
- Verify clearances. Ensure 90-120 cm of clearance and check that oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator doors open without colliding with each other.
Common errors with measurements
There are three recurring mistakes. The first is choosing the appliance after the cabinet: it should always be the other way around, as the device has rigid dimensions and the cabinet does not. The second is forgetting the countertop overhang and door thickness when calculating useful depth, which leads to drawers that rub or handles that crash into the island. The third is hanging the wall units too low, eating into the workspace. Respecting the 50-60 cm above the countertop and using standard module widths resolves most of these problems before they appear.
Frequently asked questions about kitchen cabinet measurements
What is the standard height of kitchen cabinets?
The base unit body is 70-72 cm, but the dimension that matters is the countertop height: between 85 and 90 cm from the floor once the plinth (10-15 cm) and countertop thickness (2-4 cm) are added. You can adjust it to your height with adjustable legs.
How deep are kitchen cabinets?
The base unit is 56-60 cm deep, which reaches 60-63 cm with the countertop overhang. Wall units are narrower, at 30-35 cm, so as not to take up workspace or cause you to bump into them while cooking.
What cabinet width do I need for the sink or appliances?
The 60 cm module is the standard for sinks, ovens, cooktops, and dishwashers. A double-bowl sink requires 80-90 cm, and a compact dishwasher needs 45 cm. Always check the dimensions of the basin or the device in its technical sheet before deciding on the cabinet.
At what distance should the hood be hung above the cooktop?
Between 60 and 75 cm, getting closer to the maximum for gas cooktops and being able to lower it slightly for induction. Additionally, the width of the hood must be equal to or greater than that of the cooktop: a 60 cm hood for a 60 cm cooktop.
Ready to choose the elements that define your cabinets? In the Merkimarket kitchen catalog, you will find sinks, range hoods, and integrated appliances to plan each module based on the actual dimensions in their technical sheets, which is the only reliable way to ensure everything fits the first time.
Article written by the Merkimarket editorial team. The measurements indicated are the standard kitchen cabinet dimensions in Spain and may vary by manufacturer; product data (widths, materials, and finishes) come from the Merkimarket catalog sheets. Always confirm installation dimensions in the current technical sheet before purchasing.
