What Is Standard Kitchen Counter Height?

Jump to Section

There are many factors that can influence what size countertop space will be best for your needs. Some people want to cook and others just want to eat on this makeshift table in their apartment or house with no dining room.

In this article, we will discuss what standard kitchen counter heights look like so that you can make an informed decision about what would work best for your lifestyle. You can also check out our pros and cons list for countertop edges and how much overhang for countertop?

If you want to explore kitchen renovation further, you can also get more information about how to laminate your kitchen counter but right now, let’s look at the standard kitchen counter height.

high countertop kitchen
Image Credit: Kitchen Infinity Photo

What is the ideal kitchen counter height?

The direct answer is that it really depends on what you are trying to do with it. If your goal is just for eating, then something like 36″ or so will work well as standing space. You can also opt for an island if you want more storage and prep area in your small kitchen.

You might need to measure what standard heights look like first before deciding what would be best because of health reasons such as lower back pain.

This could change what kind of counters you choose – from high tops all the way down to barstools on a raised surface that doesn't have seats. This would give people enough room to stand at them comfortably without having their knees knock into things too much.

If someone needs low-to-the-ground counters, then what is typically considered “standard” would work well. It will allow them to reach everything without having to bend over too much and it might not take up as much space in the kitchen area.

What's the average countertop height?

There are many factors that can influence what size countertop space will be best for your needs. Some want to eat on them, others want to socialize while others want to take it a step further and are interested in matching their countertops to the floor.

One thing that you should keep in mind with average standard kitchen counter heights measurements is that what is seen as the average height for what would be considered “standard” can vary based on what your needs are.

Ideal kitchen counter height

If you want a counter that will work well in an apartment or house with no dining room, then opting for something like 36″ to stand at might not be ideal because it won't allow enough space to use this area of your kitchen for any other purposes besides eating.

If someone has lower back pain and they need counters that are higher up so they aren't bending over too much, then 30-36 inches may feel more comfortable when standing there without having their knees knock into things while cooking. 

Should a kitchen island be the same height as a counter?

No, the height of an island should not be what you go for if it is out in the open.

If someone has a smaller kitchen and what they end up doing with it is an island that's 30″ tall then there will be no room to walk around this area because their counters are likely higher than what would average at 36″.

There always needs to be some kind of space between what a countertop surface height looks like and what an island or prep station width might measure as well.

Kitchen islands also need enough space so people can move around them easily when needed. If you want something similar but don't want to lose what little counter space you have, then what about a barstool that's raised? It might not be as big as an island but it still gives people enough room to stand on while they cook.

The average kitchen countertop height is between 24-36″. However, this isn't something that's a “one size fits all” type of situation, but it still gives people an idea of what would work best for what their needs are and what standard heights look like to be able to make the most informed decisions about what they want in this area of their kitchen. It's easy to see why there will always need to be some kind of space between what your counters measure as well.

Some people may not care if they have enough room when cooking or just eating around because these areas never get used often; others might find themselves using them more than expected and thus having issues with how much space they really do have available here.

As we mentioned, the kitchen counter height should be decided based on your specific needs.

highted countertop kitchen
Image Credit: Kitchen Infinity Photo

How deep are kitchen countertops?

The depth of what your kitchen countertop measurements are can vary depending on what kind of use you want to get out of it. If someone with kids wants something that will still be durable after a few years, then 18″ would work best because this is where the most wear and tear usually starts happening. 

For those who have lower back pain or need counters for their pets so they don't jump up onto them, then 36 inches could potentially feel better. 

What's great about having at least an inch here between what the surface states as being able to measure versus how high these items rise are that it makes it easier for what people need from what their kitchen is in terms of what type of height these items might measure.

Final thoughts on standard kitchen counter height

Kitchen counters need to be taller than what most people are used to so that when they're cooking or just preparing food, their knees can't hit anything as they move around the room. 

Kitchen islands also need more space for both these reasons but also because there needs to be enough room for other people who are in the kitchen with them too.

Keep these useful tips in mind while deciding on kitchen renovations that you might be about to get started with. 

Kristina Perrin

Kristina Perrin

Kristina is an expert DIY home remodeler and mom to three. When she's not cooking or experimenting with new recipes, you can find her working on new home improvement projects or writing about her favorite kitchen appliances or DIY projects on Kitchen Infinity blog.

Related Articles

Download Free Chart Now!

Your email will be used only to confirm your request and to provide free kitchen information. By submitting your info on this form, you are agreeing to be contacted regarding your service request by means of email. This is no obligation form and doesn’t require you to purchase any service.

norton_black
comodo_black