What are the standard kitchen unit sizes in the UK?

Standard UK kitchen base and wall units come in widths of 300mm, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, 800mm, and 1000mm. The standard height for a base unit is 720mm (plus 150mm for adjustable legs), and the depth is typically 560mm to 600mm.

What is a 'Service Void'?

Most UK kitchen units feature a 'service void'—a gap of about 40mm to 75mm at the back of the cabinet. This allows pipes, gas lines, and electrical cables to run along the wall behind the units without interfering with the drawers or shelves.

Why do I need end panels?

Kitchen unit carcases are usually made of plain white or grey chipboard. End panels are decorative boards that match your door finish. You need them whenever the side of a unit is exposed (e.g., at the end of a run or next to a freestanding appliance).

How do I handle a gap that is too small for a unit?

If you have a gap under 300mm, you typically use a 'filler piece' or 'pilaster'. This is a piece of matching material cut to size to bridge the gap between the last unit and the wall, ensuring a seamless finish.

What are the standard kitchen unit sizes in the UK?

Standard UK kitchen base and wall units come in widths of 300mm, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, 800mm, and 1000mm. The standard height for a base unit is 720mm (plus 150mm for adjustable legs), and the depth is typically 560mm to 600mm.

What is a 'Service Void'?

Most UK kitchen units feature a 'service void'—a gap of about 40mm to 75mm at the back of the cabinet. This allows pipes, gas lines, and electrical cables to run along the wall behind the units without interfering with the drawers or shelves.

Why do I need end panels?

Kitchen unit carcases are usually made of plain white or grey chipboard. End panels are decorative boards that match your door finish. You need them whenever the side of a unit is exposed (e.g., at the end of a run or next to a freestanding appliance).

How do I handle a gap that is too small for a unit?

If you have a gap under 300mm, you typically use a 'filler piece' or 'pilaster'. This is a piece of matching material cut to size to bridge the gap between the last unit and the wall, ensuring a seamless finish.

Kitchen Cabinet Calculator

Plan your kitchen layout with standard UK unit sizes.

Total Run Length (mm)

Target Unit Width (mm)

End Panels

Unit Estimation

Planning Tip: In the UK, standard base units are usually 600mm deep. When planning your run, always start from a corner or an appliance (like a dishwasher) and work outwards. If you have a gap under 150mm, you'll need a matching **filler piece** to complete the run.

Kitchen Geometry: The UK Planning Guide

Standardised Modular Design

Modern UK kitchens are built on a modular system. Whether you buy from a high-street retailer or a bespoke trade supplier, the widths remain consistent to ensure compatibility with standard appliances like ovens and dishwashers.

Our **kitchen cabinet calculator** helps you translate your wall measurements into a list of physical units, including the necessary decorative panels that are often forgotten during the initial planning stage.

Standard Unit Widths

Single Unit (Small)300mm / 400mm

Standard Unit500mm / 600mm

Double Unit800mm / 1000mm

Corner Solutions

Planning a corner is the most technical part of a kitchen layout. A 'blind corner' unit (1000mm wide) requires a 400mm door and a 600mm hidden void, while an 'L-shaped' corner unit usually measures 900mm x 900mm.

Always leave a small 'corner post' or filler (approx 50mm) in the corner to ensure that handles on adjacent units don't clash when doors are opened.

Adjustable Legs

UK base units sit on adjustable plastic legs (usually 150mm high). This allows you to level the cabinets perfectly on an uneven floor before the plinth (kickboard) is clipped onto the legs to hide them.

Integrated Appliances

Integrated dishwashers and fridges don't sit inside a cabinet; they sit in a 600mm gap between units, with a decorative door attached directly to the appliance's front.

Pro Tip: The 1.5mm Rule

When calculating your run, always leave a 1.5mm to 3mm gap between each unit for 'wiggle room'. If you calculate a run exactly to the millimetre, you may find that slight wall wonkiness or thick end panels make the final unit impossible to fit.

Kitchen Planning FAQ

Project Disclaimer

This calculator is an estimation tool for preliminary planning. Kitchen design is complex and must account for exact appliance specs and gas/water regulations. Always have a professional installer verify your plan before ordering.