How to Measure Your Kitchen

If you would like to get an initial estimate for new cabinetry and countertops, but don't have time to make an appointment, you can always take basic measurements of your kitchen to begin the estimation process.

Use these instructions to guide you. It is wise to use a helper so that you have someone to hold one end of the measuring tape. So be as precise as possible and check twice if you are uncertain.

Take your measurements in inches, and do not round your numbers. If a wall is 10 feet, mark 120”. Create drawings of your kitchen, indicating doors and windows and other items in their approximate positions. If you want to expand into an adjacent room, also take the measurements of that room.


1) Wall Measurements. Take the overall wall measurements. Measure in a clockwise manner. Look for a place on the wall without obstructions for your measurement. If you run into obstructions such as existing cabinetry, baseboards, or appliances, that cannot be moved for your measure, do your best to measure around them. Do not indicate sizes of cabinetry on drawing.

Diagram 1-sample kitchen with measurements.

2) Windows and Doors. Take the measurements of your windows and doors. Start with wall #1. Measure each door and window from the outside of the trim. Indicate which direction each door swings. On a separate sheet of paper, draw an elevation of each wall including the windows and doors. See diagram 2. Mark each dimension shown on diagram 2. Measure height from the floor to the bottom of each window, and also the casing dimensions. Do the same for doors.

Diagram 2-sample elevation drawing with complete window and door measurements.

3) Ceiling. To measure your ceiling height, take a measurement in three different places. The majority of older homes have unlevel ceilings. Record the lowest height measured. If you have a soffit that you want to keep, take measurement of it, and place in your drawing as well.

4) Obstructions. Draw in any obstructions that cannot be moved, or you do not wish to move them (i.e. Radiators, gas pipes, sink plumbing, hood vent). Label and indicate all center points of obstructions.

5) Furniture. If you want to keep any furniture such as a kitchen table or an antique hutch or movable island, they need to be measured. Draw in the desired area in which you would like to place items. Measure the width, height, and depth.

6) Labels. Next, label adjacent rooms.