IKEA Kitchen Cabinet Sizes: Every Width, Height, and Depth Explained

Why IKEA Cabinet Sizes Matter

Getting cabinet sizes right is the foundation of a successful IKEA kitchen installation. Unlike custom cabinetry where a cabinet maker can produce any dimension you need, IKEA's SEKTION system uses standardized sizes that you combine to fill your kitchen space. Understanding every available dimension helps you plan efficiently, avoid costly mistakes, and minimize the need for filler pieces.

This guide covers every single SEKTION cabinet size available in North America. Bookmark it — you'll reference it many times during your planning process.

Base Cabinet Dimensions

Base cabinets sit on the floor (on adjustable legs) and support your countertop. They're the workhorse of any kitchen.

Standard Dimensions (All Base Cabinets)

• Height (cabinet only): 30"
• Height with standard legs: 34-1/2" (standard counter height)
• Depth: 24" (24-5/8" including the door/drawer front)

Available Widths

| Width | Common Applications |

|-------|-------------------|

| 12" | Narrow pull-out, spice rack, filler cabinet |

| 15" | Single door, narrow storage, tray divider cabinet |

| 18" | Waste/recycling pull-out, single door cabinet |

| 21" | Single door, three-drawer stack |

| 24" | Sink base, single door, standard drawer stack |

| 30" | Double door, sink base, large drawer stack |

| 36" | Double door, wide sink base, maximum storage |

Sink Base Cabinets

Sink base cabinets have a modified interior — there's no center shelf, and the back panel has openings for plumbing:

• Available in 24", 30", and 36" widths
• Same height and depth as standard bases
• The 30" sink base is the most popular choice for most kitchen layouts in the Mid-Atlantic region

Base Cabinets for Cooktops

If you're using a cooktop (rather than a range), you'll need a base cabinet with a flat top surface:

• Standard base cabinets work — remove the countertop section where the cooktop drops in
• No special cabinet is needed, but verify the cooktop's cutout dimensions against your cabinet width

Wall Cabinet Dimensions

Wall cabinets mount to the wall using the SEKTION suspension rail system. They define the upper visual line of your kitchen.

Standard Depth

• Depth: 15" (15-1/4" including door)
• All wall cabinets share the same depth, regardless of height or width

Available Heights

IKEA offers wall cabinets in four heights:

1. 15" tall — Typically used above refrigerators or in tight spaces
2. 20" tall — Above ranges with hood fans, or in lower-ceiling areas
3. 30" tall — The standard, most commonly used wall cabinet height
4. 40" tall — For high-ceiling kitchens, providing maximum storage

Available Widths

| Width | Available Heights | Common Applications |

|-------|------------------|-------------------|

| 12" | 30", 40" | Narrow wall cabinet, end cap |

| 15" | 15", 20", 30", 40" | Single-door wall cabinet |

| 18" | 15", 20", 30", 40" | Single-door, above dishwasher or sink |

| 21" | 30", 40" | Single-door, common size |

| 24" | 15", 20", 30", 40" | Single-door, versatile size |

| 30" | 15", 20", 30", 40" | Double-door, very popular |

| 36" | 15", 20", 30", 40" | Double-door, wide coverage |

Horizontal Wall Cabinets

IKEA also offers horizontal wall cabinets that open upward with a lift mechanism rather than swinging out to the side:

• Available in 24" and 30" widths
• 15" and 20" heights
• Ideal for above refrigerators and in tight spaces where a swinging door would be obstructive
• Use UTRUSTA push-open or lift-up mechanisms

High Cabinet (Tall/Pantry) Dimensions

High cabinets extend from floor to near-ceiling height and are used for pantries, oven housings, broom closets, and refrigerator enclosures.

Available Heights

• 80" — Standard tall cabinet
• 90" — Extended tall cabinet for higher ceilings

Standard Depth

• 24" (same as base cabinets — aligns with the countertop run)

Available Widths

| Width | Available Heights | Common Applications |

|-------|------------------|-------------------|

| 15" | 80", 90" | Narrow pantry pull-out, broom closet |

| 18" | 80", 90" | Pull-out pantry, utility cabinet |

| 24" | 80", 90" | Pantry tower, oven housing, fridge enclosure |

| 30" | 80", 90" | Double-door pantry, wide oven housing |

| 36" | 80" | Wide storage, double-door pantry (limited availability) |

Oven Housing Configurations

For built-in ovens, IKEA offers high cabinets with specific internal configurations:

• Open cavity for the oven unit
• Drawer or door sections above and below the oven cavity
• The oven opening height varies by configuration — always verify against your oven's specifications

Corner Cabinet Dimensions

Corners are the trickiest part of any kitchen layout. IKEA offers purpose-built corner cabinets for both base and wall applications.

Base Corner Cabinets

Standard corner base cabinet:

• Opens from one side with a single door
• Cabinet extends 47" along one wall and 24" along the other (including the door)
• Interior includes a shelf; can be upgraded with UTRUSTA corner carousel or pull-out
• Height: 30" (same as all base cabinets)

Diagonal corner base cabinet:

• Features a diagonal front face
• Width across the diagonal: approximately 36"
• Provides better access to the corner space
• Works well with lazy Susan organizers

Wall Corner Cabinets

Standard corner wall cabinet:

• Extends along two walls
• Available in 26"x15" and other configurations
• Height options: 30" and 40"
• Depth: 15" (same as standard wall cabinets)

Diagonal corner wall cabinet:

• Angled front provides easier access
• Available in 26"x26" footprint
• Single door on the diagonal

For a detailed comparison of corner solutions, see our corner solutions guide.

How to Plan with IKEA Sizes

Step 1: Measure Your Space

Measure your kitchen walls in three places — top, middle, and bottom — and use the smallest measurement. Walls are rarely perfectly straight, especially in older Mid-Atlantic homes (Philadelphia row homes and Baltimore brownstones are notorious for this).

Record:

• Total wall length for each cabinet run
• Ceiling height
• Window and door locations (exact dimensions and position from each corner)
• Plumbing locations (drain center, supply line heights)
• Electrical outlet and switch positions

Step 2: Lay Out Cabinets

Start with the fixed elements:

1. Sink location (usually constrained by plumbing)
2. Range or cooktop location (constrained by gas line or electrical)
3. Refrigerator location
4. Dishwasher location (adjacent to sink)

Then fill in remaining space with cabinet combinations that add up to the wall length minus the required filler strips.

Step 3: Handle the Gaps

Since IKEA cabinets come in fixed widths, your cabinets almost certainly won't add up to your exact wall length. The difference is handled with filler strips:

• IKEA sells filler strips in each door style
• Strips can be cut to any width
• Place fillers at the ends of cabinet runs (against walls) or next to appliances
• Minimum recommended filler width: 2" (narrower pieces are very difficult to install cleanly)

Step 4: Verify Vertical Alignment

Wall cabinets should align with base cabinets below them for a clean look:

• A 30" wide base cabinet should have a 30" wide wall cabinet above it (when possible)
• Vertical alignment of door edges creates visual order
• Use the IKEA kitchen planner to verify alignment, or sketch it on graph paper

Size Combinations by Kitchen Layout

Galley Kitchen (Common in Philadelphia and DC)

Typical 8-foot wall:

• 36" base + 24" sink base + 36" base = 96" (8 feet exactly)
• Or: 30" base + 24" sink base + 18" base + 24" base = 96"

L-Shaped Kitchen

One 10-foot wall + one 8-foot wall with corner:

• 10-foot wall: 36" + 30" sink base + 24" + corner base (47" total with return)
• 8-foot wall: corner return (24") + 24" + 36" + 12" filler

U-Shaped Kitchen

Three walls of cabinets with two corners — the most complex layout. Planning tip: start from the corners and work outward to the walls.

Special Size Considerations

Above-Refrigerator Cabinets

Most refrigerators are 30" or 36" wide and about 70" tall. The wall cabinet above should:

• Match the fridge width (30" or 36")
• Be 15" or 20" tall (to fit between the fridge top and ceiling)
• Use a horizontal opening mechanism since reaching up to pull a door open is difficult

Above-Range Cabinets

If you don't have a range hood or over-the-range microwave, you can place a wall cabinet above the range:

• Must be at least 24" above the cooking surface (30" above gas ranges)
• Use a 15" or 20" tall wall cabinet
• Width should match the range width (typically 30")

Custom Modifications

While IKEA doesn't offer custom sizes, cabinets can be modified on-site:

• Reducing width by cutting the cabinet box (advanced technique)
• Stacking two wall cabinets vertically for a custom height look
• Using filler pieces creatively to adapt standard sizes to non-standard spaces

These modifications are best handled by professionals who understand how the SEKTION system is constructed.

Get Your Cabinet Sizes Right with Kitchen Fitters

Measuring, planning, and ordering the correct cabinet sizes is the most critical phase of an IKEA kitchen project. One wrong measurement can cascade into multiple issues during installation. Kitchen Fitters provides professional measuring and planning services across Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and the DC area. We'll verify every dimension, optimize your cabinet layout, and ensure your order is right the first time. Contact us for a free in-home measurement consultation.