4 minute readUpdated
1. The opening
Measure all three, at more than one point
- Width: measure at the top, middle and bottom of the opening. Cabinets are not always square.
- Height: from the floor to the underside of the upper cabinet, at both sides.
- Depth: from the back wall to the front edge of the counter, noting whether you want the fridge flush with the counter (counter-depth) or standing proud (standard-depth).
2. Clearances
A refrigerator needs air. Plan roughly one inch at the top and half an inch to an inch at the sides for ventilation, and a couple of inches at the back for the coils and the water line if there is one.
Subtract those clearances from your opening before you go shopping. The number you are looking for is the maximum appliance size, not the size of the hole.
3. The path in
This is the measurement people skip, and it is the one that sends trucks away full. Measure every doorway, hallway, stair turn and landing between the front door and the kitchen — width and height.
A standard interior door is around 30 to 32 inches. A full-size French door refrigerator is often 35 to 36 inches wide. The doors usually have to come off to get it through, which is normal and routine, but it needs to be known in advance rather than discovered in your hallway.
4. Door swing and handle clearance
Check that the refrigerator door can open far enough to pull the crisper drawers out — typically about 90 degrees — without hitting an adjacent wall, island or cabinet run.
If the fridge sits at the end of a run next to a wall, you may need a filler panel or a unit with a different hinge configuration. Handles add depth too: measure the appliance depth with the handle included, not just the cabinet.
Write it all down
Take the numbers with you, or text them to us before you drive out. We will check them against the unit you are interested in and tell you whether it fits — which is a much better conversation to have before you buy it than after.
Questions
How much clearance does a refrigerator need?
As a general rule, allow about one inch above, half an inch to an inch on each side, and a couple of inches behind for ventilation, coils and any water line. Check the specific model's requirements as well, since they vary. Subtract those clearances from your opening to find the largest appliance that will actually fit.
Will a refrigerator fit through a 30-inch door?
Many full-size refrigerators are 35 to 36 inches wide and will not pass through a 30-inch doorway with the doors on. Removing the refrigerator doors typically reduces the width enough to get through, and it is a routine part of delivery — but measure the path first so it is planned rather than improvised.