Before buying a new appliances, it's important to know the dimensions you're looking for to ensure it will fit properly in the space you have. Here is a guide to help you measure them correctly.
Refrigerators/Upright Freezers
Applies to: Full-size refrigerators and/or upright freezers
Does not apply to: Compact refrigerators (a.k.a. dorm/bar refrigerators), chest freezers, wine or beer storage
Height: From floor to top of hinge
Common error: Not measuring hinge, Not including feet in measurement
Width: From left edge to right edge
Depth: From front of unit to back (including door)
Common error: Not measuring condenser coils (when present), Including handle in measurement
Expectations: Unit will fit into counter unit (including overhead cabinets), Unit front (excluding handle) will align with cabinet front
Ranges
Applies to: Free-standing ovens and ranges
Does not apply to: Microwaves, wall ovens, cook-tops (without ovens), slide-ins and drop-ins
Height: Bottom of unit to top of cook-surface
Common error: Measuring to top of back-splash/control panel, not measuring feet
Width: From left edge of unit to right edge
Depth: From front on widest part of unit to back, without handle or control knobs
Common error: Including handle in measurement, including knobs in measurement when control panel is on front of unit
Expectations: Unit will be flush with cabinets, Cook surface level will be level with countertops.
Range Hoods
Does not apply to: Free-standing ovens and ranges, cooktops, microwaves, wall ovens, and over-the-range microwaves
Height: Bottom of unit to top of unit or to where chimney (flue) starts when present
Common error: Measuring to top of flue
Width: From left edge of unit at widest point to right edge
Common error: Measuring at curved edge (when present), instead of at widest part
Depth: From front on widest part of unit to back
Common error: Measuring at curved edge (when present), instead of at widest part
Expectations: Unit will fit into cabinet space.
Cooktops
Does not apply to: Free-standing ranges, microwaves, and wall ovens
Height: Bottom of unit to top of cook-surface
Width: From left edge of unit at widest point to right edge
Depth: From front on widest part of unit to back.
Common error: Not measuring part of unit which fits beneath counter
Expectations: "Below counter" part of unit will not interfere with gas lines, etc. Unit will fit into counter space.
Dishwashers
Does not apply to: Any other appliance
Height: Bottom of unit (including feet/wheels when present) to top of unit
Common error: Not including feet/wheels in measurement
Width: From left edge of unit to right edge
Depth: From front of unit at deepest part, including door but not including knobs or handles when present, to back including heating components, etc. when present
Common error: Not including door, Including knobs/handles in measurement
Expectations: Built-ins will fit into cabinet cut-out. Built-ins are flush to cabinet front. Bottom edge, below door, fits into flooring cut-out.
Chest Freezers
Does not apply to: Upright freezers or refrigerators, compact refrigerators (dorm/bar refrigerators), wine or beer storage
Height: From floor to top of unit (including lid)
Common error: Not including feet in measurement, not including lid in measurement
Width: From left edge to right edge
Depth: From front of unit to back
Expectations: Will be able to fully open lid.
Over-the-Range Microwaves
Applies to: Over-the-range microwaves
Does not apply to: Ovens and ranges, cooktops, free-standing microwaves, and wall ovens
Height: Bottom of unit to top of unit
Width: From left edge of unit to right edge
Depth: From front of unit, not including knobs or handles when present, to back
Common error: Including knobs/handles in measurement
Expectations: Unit will fit into cabinet cut-out.
Countertop Microwaves
Applies to: Microwaves
Does not apply to: Free standing ovens and ranges, cooktops, over-the-range microwaves, and wall ovens
Common error: Not measuring feet
Width: From left edge of unit to right edge
Depth: From front of unit, not including knobs or handles when present, to back
Common error: Including knobs/handles in measurement
Expectations: When placed on countertop, Unit will fit under overhead cabinet.
Mini Fridges
Applies to: Small refrigerators (from less than 1 cubic foot to 11 cubic feet)
Does not apply to: Full-size refrigerators, wine storage, or beer tap
Height: From floor to top of hinge
Common error: Not measuring hinge, not including feet in measurement
Width: From left edge to right edge
Depth: From front of unit to back (including door)
Common error: Not measuring condenser coils (when present), Including handle in measurement
Expectations: Unit will fit under counter or dest. Unit front (excluding handle) will align with counter front.
Wine Storage
Applies to: Wine chilling units (from 2 to 6 cubic feet)
Does not apply to: Full-size refrigerators, compact refrigerators (dorm/bar refrigerators)
Height: From floor to top of hinge
Common error: Not measuring hinge, Not including feet in measurement
Width: From left edge to right edge
Depth: From front of unit to back (including door)
Common error: Not measuring condenser coils (when present), Including handle in measurement
Expectations: Unit will fit under counter or desk. Unit front (excluding handle) will align with counter front.
