What Height Should My Kitchen Worktop Be?

It’s a question I get asked all the time. The honest answer is that it will vary slightly depending on the style of kitchen cabinets you have and the thickness of the worktop that you choose.

However, there is a standard worktop height that you can use as a guide.

In this post, I will explain what the standard worktop height is, the reasons behind it, and why it can matter so much.

What Is The Standard Kitchen Worktop Height?

The standard kitchen worktop height is 910mm from the floor to the top of the worktop.

This kitchen worktop height is made up of the following standard kitchen dimensions:

• 150mm plinth (kickboard)
• 720mm base cabinet
• 40mm worktop
• TOTAL: 910mm

The height may vary slightly depending on the thickness of worktop that you choose. Thinner 20mm worktops are becoming more popular in modern kitchens, which would mean that the worktop height would be 890mm.

The worktop height may also vary depending on the type of kitchen cabinet and style of kitchen you choose. More contemporary kitchens may have a lower plinth and taller cabinets, which may or may not add up to the same height as a standard, more traditional sized kitchen.

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Why Does The Height Of Your Kitchen Worktop Matter?

You may not give it much thought, but the height of your kitchen worktop can have a big impact on your day-to-day kitchen usage.

Not everyone in the world is the same height. So, if you’re taller (like me), having a slightly higher worktop can be much more comfortable and practical.

It can also help prevent health issues, such as back pain. Having to bend down just that small amount every time you are at your worktop could lead to problems down the road.

The opposite can cause its own problems. If you’re on the shorter side (like my girlfriend), you may prefer a slightly lower worktop. That way, working in the kitchen is more comfortable.

My girlfriend, for example, is a keen baker who usually has to put the bowl in the sink when mixing thoroughly. The lower height of the sink basin means she can more comfortably do her mixing without shoulder, back, or neck pain.

As you can read, our worktop is not the right height for my girlfriend. This is one of the reasons finding the right worktop height is so important – so you can keep the batter out of the sink!

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How To Work Out The Correct Kitchen Worktop Height For You

There’s no exact science, but one of the best and simplest ways to work out the correct worktop height for you is to match it to the ball of your wrist bone.

If you stand upright with your hands by your side, the ball of your wrist should sit in line with the worktop. This is a good kitchen worktop level according to your height and ergonomics.

If there are people of varying heights that use the kitchen, consider working out the average height as a comfortable compromise.

For example – as I’m quite tall, my ideal worktop height would be 950mm. However, as my girlfriend is a lot shorter (her words), hers would be 870mm. An average of the two works out at 910mm. In our case, this is a good middle ground – and as it turns out, the standard worktop height.

Naturally, my girlfriend would like the worktop a bit lower, but I would then need to crouch to use it. Compromise is key.

However, the style of kitchen you have will determine if you are able to alter the height of your worktop. And, if so, to what degree you can make changes.

It comes down to plinth height, cabinet height and worktop height. If you have a choice over these, then this is how you can alter the worktop height to help suit your needs.

What Is The Standard Kitchen Worktop Depth?

The standard kitchen worktop depth is between 600 – 650mm.

The depth will vary depending on the depth of the base cabinets and how much you want the worktop to overhang at the front of the cabinet.

Typically there is a 20-30mm worktop overhang at the front of cabinets. Some modern kitchen designs may have a smaller overhang of between 5-10mm, creating a sleek, streamlined look.

It can be nice to have a slightly deeper worktop. A nice depth is around 650mm, as this gives you more prep space and strikes a nice balance between space for your wall cabinets while keeping sockets/plugs in reach.

To achieve this, you can pull the base cabinets off the wall slightly, creating a void at the back. This can also be used for any pipework.

What Is The Standard Kitchen Worktop Thickness?

There is a huge range of kitchen worktop materials on the market, with each having multiple thickness options.

This is how choosing a particular material and thickness allows you to alter your kitchen worktop height to suit your needs.

Standard worktop thickness guide:

• Quartz – 20mm / 30mm occasionally 12mm
• Granite – 30mm / 40mm
• Timber – 40mm
• Laminate – 40mm
• Acrylic – 20-100mm

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What Is The Standard Height For A Dining Table?

The standard height for a dining table worktop is 760mm.

Some kitchen designs include a table height seating area. This often comes off of an island, adding a fantastic dining feature to a kitchen.

The height for a kitchen table is a little different to that of your worktops. Therefore, you will need to create a section of worktop that drops down from the rest of your kitchen run, ideally to the height of 760mm.

You can then add normal dining room chairs underneath this section to create an in-kitchen eating area, perfect for the whole family.

What Is The Ideal Worktop Height For Bar Stools?

Having bar stool seating in your kitchen is becoming increasingly popular. It helps to create a more relaxed social environment around the kitchen.

Barstool seating is easier to accommodate than table height seating, as your worktop height is suitable for this style of dining. There are a few ways to create a bar stool seating area in your kitchen using different heights of the worktop.

The most common way is to use the same height as your existing worktop and just create an overhang to fit stools underneath for seating.

This worktop height will usually be between 890mm and 930mm. In this instance, you should choose seats that are between 580mm and 720mm tall.

You could also create a raised breakfast bar area by lifting a section on supports. These worktops are usually between 1,040mm and 1,090mm high and should be paired with seats between 740mm and 820mm tall.

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Final Thoughts…

As you can see, there isn’t a one size fits all kitchen worktop height. However, there is a standard guide height range. And it’s a standard range for a reason, as it caters to and acts as a good average for most of the population.

However, the height of your kitchen worktop can be altered using factors such as the plinth, cabinet and worktop style. Ultimately, it’s about comfort, compromise and creating the perfect kitchen for your family.

If you would like to learn more about the different types of kitchen worktop available, as well as the pros, cons and costs, then check out my post What Is The Best Kitchen Worktop For Your Budget.

If you’re in the process of getting a new kitchen, then you should definitely have a read of my post 11 Accessories You’ll Want For Your Kitchen Renovation.

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