Cabinet Calculator
Work out roughly how many cabinet units a kitchen layout needs from its wall runs and an average cabinet width. Add your own price for a full cost estimate — nothing here uses a stale national average.
How this calculator works
Each wall run is divided by the average cabinet width to get a rough count of cabinets for that run, rounded up since a run can't use a fraction of a cabinet — then every run's count is added together:
cabinets_per_run = ceil(run_length_ft × 12 / avg_cabinet_width_in) total_cabinets = sum across runs
This is a planning-stage estimate, not a cabinet layout — actual kitchens mix cabinet widths, add fillers at corners and appliance gaps, and adjust for sinks and cooktops, all of which a real design session accounts for.
Worked example
An L-shaped kitchen with a 12 ft run and an 8 ft run, 30 in average cabinet width:
- 12 ft run: ceil(12 × 12 ÷ 30) = 5 cabinets.
- 8 ft run: ceil(8 × 12 ÷ 30) = 4 cabinets.
- Total: 5 + 4 = 9 cabinets.
At $350 per cabinet, that's 9 × $350 = $3,150. Priced instead at $175 per linear foot across the full 20 ft of wall run, that's 20 × $175 = $3,500 — the two pricing methods won't match exactly, since per-unit pricing depends on the specific mix of cabinet sizes actually ordered.
Base vs wall cabinet basics
| Type | Typical depth | Typical height |
|---|---|---|
| Base cabinets | 24 in | ~34.5 in (+ counter) |
| Wall cabinets | 12 in | 30 / 36 / 42 in |
Measuring your kitchen
- Wall runs — measure each continuous run of cabinets along a wall, in feet.
- Breaks — split a run wherever it's interrupted by a doorway, window seat, or full-height appliance.
- Average width — narrow layouts with lots of corner or filler pieces will need more than this estimate suggests; wide, simple runs will need fewer.
How much do kitchen cabinets cost?
Rather than quoting a national average that's stale the day it's published, this calculator prices the job from what you actually enter. Choose Per linear ft for a quick blended quote, or Per cabinet unit if you have an actual per-unit price from a supplier. The estimate doesn't include countertops, hardware, or installation labor.
Frequently asked questions
How are kitchen cabinets typically priced — per linear ft or per unit?
Both are common. Contractors and showrooms often quote a blended price per linear foot for quick budgeting; custom and semi-custom makers more often price per individual unit, since each size has its own cost.
Standard base vs wall cabinet depths and heights.
Base cabinets are typically 24 inches deep and about 34.5 inches tall. Wall cabinets are typically 12 inches deep, in heights commonly around 30, 36 or 42 inches depending on ceiling height.
How much countertop overhang should I allow beyond the cabinet face?
About 1 to 1.5 inches is standard and needs no extra support. Larger overhangs, like island seating, typically need corbels or other support once they extend much past 6 to 12 inches.
What's the standard height for upper cabinets above the counter?
18 inches is the common default gap between countertop and the bottom of the upper cabinets. Some kitchens go lower, around 15 to 16 inches, for easier reach, or higher for a more open feel.