Kitchen units come in a set range of standard sizes, and once you understand how they work, planning a kitchen becomes far less daunting. Cabinets are described mainly by their width, which is how you combine them to fill a wall, while heights and depths are largely standardised so everything lines up neatly. This guide explains every unit type and its typical dimensions, so you can plan a run that fits your space to the millimetre.
1. How kitchen sizes work
Kitchen cabinets are built to standard heights and depths so that base units line up, worktops sit level and wall units align above them. What changes from unit to unit is the width — and by combining different widths, you fill each wall exactly. Once you know the standard dimensions, you can plan an entire kitchen on paper.
2. Base unit sizes
Base units are the floor-standing cabinets that carry your worktop. Ours have a standard height of 720mm and depth of 570mm, and come in a range of widths:
| Base unit width | Typically used for |
|---|---|
| 150–300 mm | Slim fillers, pull-out storage, spice racks |
| 400–500 mm | Single-door cupboards, narrow gaps |
| 600 mm | The workhorse size — cupboards, drawers, most appliances |
| 800 mm | Wider double-door cupboards |
| 1000 mm | Sink units and generous double cupboards |
You can see exact dimensions on each product page — for example the 1000mm base unit.
3. Wall unit sizes
Wall units mount above the worktop and are shallower than base units — typically around 300mm deep — so they don’t overhang your work area. They come in matching widths to the base units below, and in a choice of heights so you can run them to a comfortable level or up towards the ceiling. Aligning wall units with the base units beneath them gives the tidiest, most built-in look.
4. Tall & larder units
Tall units run from the floor up to wall-unit height, giving you full-height storage in a single cabinet. They’re perfect as a larder for food and dry goods, or built to house a stacked oven and microwave. Because they’re full height, they make a strong visual “bookend” at the end of a run.
5. Drawer, corner & sink units
- Drawer units — base units fitted with a bank of drawers instead of a cupboard, ideal for pans, utensils and cutlery.
- Corner units — base and wall cabinets designed to use awkward corners rather than waste them.
- Sink base units — open-backed base cabinets, often 1000mm wide, built to sit beneath the sink and its plumbing.
6. Worktop height & plinth
Base units sit on adjustable legs, with a plinth (kickboard) hiding the gap at floor level. Together with the unit and the worktop on top, this brings the finished work surface to the standard UK height of around 900mm — a comfortable working height for most people. The adjustable legs also let you level the run on an uneven floor.
7. Combining units to fit your wall
To plan a wall, add the widths of the units you want until you get close to the wall’s length, then close the last small gap with a slim filler panel. Not sure how to measure? Our how to measure your kitchen guide walks you through it step by step.
8. Buying with confidence
With the standard sizes clear, planning a kitchen is simply a matter of adding up widths. When you’re ready, read the full kitchen units buying guide or browse the kitchen cabinet range.
Frequently asked questions
What sizes do kitchen base units come in?
Our kitchen base units come in widths from 150mm up to 1000mm — including 150, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800 and 1000mm — so you can fill any wall. They share a standard height of 720mm and depth of 570mm.
What is the standard height of a kitchen base unit?
Kitchen base units are 720mm tall. On adjustable legs with a plinth and worktop on top, this brings the finished work surface to the standard UK height of around 900mm.
How deep are kitchen wall units?
Wall units are shallower than base units — typically around 300mm deep — so they don’t overhang your work area. Base units are 570mm deep.
What is the standard kitchen worktop height?
Around 900mm in the UK. This comes from a 720mm base unit sitting on legs and a plinth, with the worktop on top. Adjustable legs let you fine-tune the height and level the run on an uneven floor.
What size is a sink base unit?
Sink base units are commonly 1000mm wide to give room for the sink and taps, and are built open-backed to sit over the plumbing. Check each product page for exact dimensions.
What’s the most common kitchen unit width?
600mm is the workhorse size — it suits cupboards, drawer units and most standard appliances such as ovens, dishwashers and washing machines, which are also typically 600mm wide.
How do I fill a gap that isn’t a standard unit width?
Use a slim filler panel. After combining your fixed-width units, a filler closes the last small gap at the end of a run or against a wall — you’ll almost always need one.
Do wall units have to line up with base units?
They don’t have to, but aligning wall units with the base units beneath them gives the neatest, most built-in look. Leaving around 450–600mm between the worktop and the wall units gives comfortable working space.
Ready to plan your units?
Browse kitchen base, wall and tall units in every size, in oak, white and grey.
Shop kitchen cabinets →Once you have settled on sizes, browse our kitchen base units and matching replacement kitchen doors to build the look.