How far should a countertop hang over a cabinet?

Author: Mr. Rex Jacobson  |  Last update: Monday, February 23, 2026

Standard countertop overhang is 1 ½ inches. Keep in mind that this is 1 ½ inches over the front edge of the base cabinet. While some countertops may have different overhang measurements, this is the number that is seen as standard for homes.

How far should top cabinet be from countertop?

How High Upper Cabinets Should Be From The Counter. The standard height for upper cabinets from the counter is 18 inches, or 1 foot and 6 inches. They shouldn't be less than 15 inches away or more than 20 inches away. This also means the height to where the bottom of your upper cabinets starts.

Should countertops be flush with cabinets?

Ideally, a fully functioning countertop can be flush with the cabinets. An ideal measurement must be followed before doing so – the handle of the cabinets must be between 1” and 2” from the kitchen countertop overhang. The primary purpose here must be the functionality of the cabinets and saving space.

How much space should be between counter and cabinets?

The typical measurement for the spacing between cabinets and countertops is 18 inches. It's generally advisable to maintain a minimum clearance of 15 inches and a maximum of 20 inches.

Is 2 inch countertop overhang too much?

Is a 2-inch countertop overhang too much? Although a standard overhang is usually 1 to 1.5 inches, a 2-inch overhang can work as long as it aesthetically fits within your design.

8 Kitchen Design Regrets & Common Mistakes To Avoid

What is the most common countertop overhang?

Standard countertop overhang is 1 ½ inches.

While some countertops may have different overhang measurements, this is the number that is seen as standard for homes. While 1 ½ inches is the most common, it's far from mandatory.

How much should your countertop overhang your cabinets?

Countertop [on the front side of the base cabinet]

As a homeowner, you should plan on having an overhang of at least an inch and up to an inch and a half. This overhang helps prevent your cabinets from being damaged by spills or other common kitchen mishaps.

How much clearance do you need between kitchen counters and cabinets?

The Guidelines require a clearance of at least 40 inches between all opposing base cabinets, countertops, appliances, and walls.

How much space between counter and upper cabinets reddit?

Standard is 18” (but between 15” and 20” can be acceptable).

What is the minimum space between two kitchen counters?

Kitchen workspaces, which may include both perimeter counters and kitchen islands, should be spaced apart at the following distance: In a single-cook kitchen, at least 42 inches is required. In a kitchen where multiple cooks may be employed, the minimum working space is 48 inches.

What color countertops never go out of style?

White will always be an elegant choice for kitchen countertops.

Should I empty cabinets before installing countertop?

You should also empty out the cabinets under your sink, cooktop, or any other cutouts. These areas are going to get very dirty, and installers may need to access the counter surface from underneath.

What is a countertop overhang called?

Cantilever: A beam projecting beyond its supports. For instance, the area where a countertop overhangs a cabinet by a few inches.

Is 30 inches enough space between counter and island?

The industry standard is that you need at least 36 inches of space around each edge of the kitchen island. Three feet of clearance is enough so that you can comfortably walk between the island and countertops and should provide enough clearance for cabinet doors.

What is the standard height of a cabinet with countertop?

The standard size of a base cabinet is 34.5 inches tall without the countertop and 36 inches with the countertop. The toekick portion, which is the bottom part of the cabinet that sits on the floor, measures 4.5 inches.

What is the minimum distance between a cooktop and a cabinet?

30" of air clearance is required between the cooktop surface and bottom of an unprotected wood or metal cabinet above. 0" of air clearance is needed for the sides of the Range below the cooktop surface.

What is the distance between countertop and top cabinets?

Standard distance between kitchen counter and upper cabinets is 18″ minimum. Any lower and standard mixers and blenders will not fit.

What is the gap between countertops and cabinets?

How much space should there be between countertop and upper cabinets? The standard space between countertops and upper kitchen cabinets is typically 18 to 24 inches, providing ample room for appliances and an ergonomic workspace. Exceptions may be made for compact kitchens, where the gap can be reduced to 15 inches.

How much overhang for countertops?

The overhang should not exceed 30% of the depth of the countertop, and 70% should be supported by the cabinets underneath.

Do cabinets have to be perfectly level for countertops?

The Marble Institute of America recommends the top surface of the cabinets be within 1/8 inch (3mm) of flat and level across a distance of 10 feet (3 meters).

How high should a shelf be from kitchen counter?

this is how we determine how high to hang our open shelf. the space between the countertop and upper cabinetry. is typically anywhere between 18 and 24 inches. because my husband is 6'4 and I'm 5'7 we hung ours a little on the higher side. we decided to hang our open shelf.

Is 8 inch overhang enough?

An 8-inch overhang is usually not enough for comfortable seating. While it might work in a pinch, most people will find it too shallow. With an 8-inch overhang, there is not enough legroom, and people's knees are likely to hit the cabinets underneath, making it uncomfortable to sit for any length of time.

What is a waterfall countertop?

Waterfall countertops are immediately identifiable and absolutely unforgettable. They look exactly as they sound: a large swath of stone covering a kitchen peninsula or island shape that suddenly ends with a seamless shift into a sharp 90-degree drop that then meets flush with the floor.

Does a 12 inch countertop overhang need support?

Tops on half wall can be installed using steel supports with overhang up to 12”. Overhang greater than 12” will require corbels or legs. Tabletop application requires the use of a full substrate which extends within 4” of the edge of the table top.

Previous article
Why do I have brown water coming from the faucet?
Next article
Can white people have type 4 hair?