How much space do you need behind an oven?

Author: Kiera Hodkiewicz  |  Last update: Sunday, February 15, 2026

Guidelines recommend 15” of space on either one or both sides of an oven, or if the oven is in a tall cabinet and this is not possible, to have 15” of landing space no more than 48” in front of the oven as long as it does not open into the main walkway. Below is an application of this guideline in a wall oven space.

How much space do you need behind a built-in oven?

At least 5mm of space on either side. 35mm of space should be provided at the back of the unit. If the top of the oven is flush with the worktop, this is fine. There may be up to 20mm of ventilation space provided here, but generally, your built in oven is okay to be completely flush at the top.

How much clearance do you need around an oven?

So how much clearance does a wall oven need? The answer to this question is concise and sweet. As a rule of thumb, a wall oven requires around 3 inches of room in between your cabinet walls. This gap will enable you to install virtually any standard oven housing unit.

How close can an oven be to the wall?

Without a backguard, a stove or range should typically be installed at least 6 inches away from a combustible back wall surface, like drywall. With a backguard, the range can usually be installed with zero wall clearance.

How much clearance do you need for a wall oven?

An open wall oven door will add about 20 to 24 inches in depth. Plan for a 42 to 48 inch door clearance in front of your wall oven in order to comfortably maneuver around the space while cooking.

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How much space is needed behind an oven?

Guidelines recommend 15” of space on either one or both sides of an oven, or if the oven is in a tall cabinet and this is not possible, to have 15” of landing space no more than 48” in front of the oven as long as it does not open into the main walkway. Below is an application of this guideline in a wall oven space.

What is the clearance between stove and wall?

The following are general minimum clearances for ranges: 1 ½ inches to nearest adjacent sidewall above the cooktop on both sides. 30 inches between the cooktop and a cabinet. 0 inches for sides below the cooktop.

Do you need space around an oven?

600mm of vertical clearance to a combustible surface, and 200mm of horizontal distance to a vertical surface. If these measurements can't be met, the surface in question must be protected with a fire resistant material in accordance with AG/601. 600mm to a rangehood. 750mm to an exhaust fan.

How much space for a wall oven?

Take into account whether or not your kitchen has enough space for a wall oven. Standard kitchen ranges are typically around 30" wide, but a wall oven of the same size needs a 33" wide cabinet. It's possible to get smaller wall ovens, but this could also impact your ability to cook larger dishes.

Can you put an oven against a wall?

Fortunately, the outer part of the oven generates heat from about 190 to 200 Fahrenheit, which is quite low compared to the inside of the oven. However, when planning the installation of a wall oven, you have to make sure that the wall coverings, counters, and cabinets around the oven can withstand this temperature.

How much oven space do I need?

The capacity differs slightly from a range to a wall oven—the capacity of a range is around 5 cubic feet while a standard wall oven tends to be slightly smaller —around 3 cubic feet. If you have a smaller household and you typically cook for just one or two, then an oven of 3 cubic feet will more than suffice.

What is the clearance code for an oven?

Household cooking appliances shall have a vertical clearance above the cooking top of not less than 30 inches (760 mm) to combustible material and metal cabinets.

How much space do I need around my stove?

A minimum clearance of 36 inches from the top of the stove to the ceiling or any combustible materials above it. Hearth Requirements: The hearth should extend at least 18 inches in front of the loading door and 8 inches on each side of the stove.

Does a built-in oven need ventilation?

Your oven will require ventilation space around it to allow heat to escape. However, in most instances, this won't be something you need to think about as standard oven housings already account for ventilation. These will usually allow for a 5mm gap on either side and 35mm at the back.

How far does a stove need to be from a side wall?

Ranges. Electric Ranges require 0" side wall clearance above the counter height but up to 6" is recommended to avoid possible heat damage to surrounding surfaces.

What is the spacing for an oven?

It's recommended to have at least 40 inches of space in front of your oven and 48-60 inches between your stove and other appliances so the door can open completely with plenty of room, especially if you have a kitchen island.

How much space do you need on either side of an oven?

Guidelines recommend 15” of space on either one or both sides of an oven, or if the oven is in a tall cabinet and this is not possible, to have 15” of landing space no more than 48” in front of the oven as long as it does not open into the main walkway. Below is an application of this guideline in a wall oven space.

Do wall ovens require venting?

One of the most important precautions to take when adding an oven to your home is to make sure you have the proper ventilation. Ventilation is necessary for an oven to function properly, even if it's built into the wall.

Does a wall oven have to be in a cabinet?

Does a wall oven have to be in a cabinet? You will need a cabinet or a built-in wall in order to install a wall oven, since it requires room for the cooking cavity and electronic parts of the oven.

How much clearance for an oven?

Space in front of the range: It is a good idea to allow at least 40 inches of space in front of a range and 48-60 inches between the range and other appliances to ensure the door can open fully and you still have room around it to move, particularly if you have a kitchen island.

What is the standard gap between oven and cabinet?

Many installers may recommend a distance of 3-6 inches of space being the minimum. However, we always recommend increasing that to around nine inches of open space. The key here is to make this decision with the safety of the occupants in mind.

How much clearance do you need around a stove?

A minimum clearance 'work zone' of 40” (102 cm) should be provided in front of a kitchen stove, with a larger 48”-60” (122-152 cm) clearance provided between other kitchen appliances.

How close can a stove be to a brick wall?

If no wall protection is used, the common radiant-type stove or heater must be spaced out at least 36 inches from the wall. This distance may be reduced considerably if asbestos millboard and/or 28 gage sheet metal is used for wall protection.

Do you need a wall behind a stove?

You need a backsplash behind the stove to protect from grease and cooking splatter that could damage the surface behind the stove. The backsplash should be made of durable, nonabsorbent, and easy to clean material that will not discolor easily.

What is the minimum distance between cooktop and wall oven?

Answer: An Electric, Induction, or Gas Cooktop can be installed above a wall oven, noting the following: 1/4" clearance is required between all cooktops and wall ovens. Clearance is measured from the bottom of the cooktop burner box.

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