Refrigerator Sizes: A Guide to Measuring Fridge Dimensions | Maytag (2024)

FAQs

How do you guide a refrigerator size? ›

Yes, a 35.75" refrigerator should fit in a 36" space, as long as you also take into account extra space needed for air circulation and operating the refrigerator's doors. The depth of the refrigerator is important as well; most refrigerators are 24-36 inches deep.

To measure the depth, start at the wall (not the backsplash) and measure to the edge of your countertop. Your counter-depth measurement should be about 24-25 inches. This dimension is equivalent to the depth of the refrigerator box, excluding the refrigerator doors and handles.

Refrigerators need some space around them for proper ventilation to avoid overheating. Although the specific amount of space can vary between manufacturers, most models will need at least a ⅛-inch space on either side of the fridge, 1 inch above it, and 2 inches between the wall and the back of the fridge.

When the door is open, is there enough space on the hinge side for the door to open without hitting your walls? If there's not about 2-inches of space on the hinge side, then you'll have to keep in mind that the refrigerator will need to be pulled out about 2-inches to make up for this.

Always keep raw and cooked food seperate

It's important to keep raw and cooked foods apart, ideally with the former in the coldest bottom drawer of the fridge and the latter on the top shelf. Remember to keep each in sealed packaging or containers too.

Side Clearance – Plan for between one-half inch to one inch of clearance on both sides of the unit. Rear Clearance – Allow between one to two inches of space at the rear of the refrigerator for proper airflow.

Here's how the numbers line up: Small Refrigerators: Offer 11–13 cubic feet of space, ideal for 1 to 2 people. Medium Refrigerators: Offer 18–22 cubic feet, ideal for a family of 3 or 4. Large Refrigerators: Offer 22–28 cubic feet, ideal for a large family of 5 or more, or for active home chefs.

Yes, a 36″ refrigerator is not really a full 36″ wide; 36″ is “nominal”; depending on manufacturer they actually measure from 35–1/2″ to 35–3/4″ wide. Generally there is 0″ side clearance required for ventilation - side clearance is required only for ease of installation.

Large refrigerator sizes are typically 36 inches wide, more than 70 inches tall, and 33 to 35 inches deep. Capacity can range anywhere from 22 - 28 cu. ft. to accommodate more space for your family's storage needs.

Are most refrigerators 36 inches wide? ›

Standard dimensions for a side-by-side fridge are 30 to 36 inches in width and 65 and 69 inches in height. For French door refrigerators, typical fridge dimensions range from 30 to 36 inches in width and 67 to 70 inches in height.

A standard counter-depth refrigerator generally ranges from about 24–30 inches in depth not including handles as compared to 30–36 inches for a standard size refrigerator.

A counter depth refrigerator is shallower than other types of fridges (between 25-30 inches), and typically matches the depth of your cabinets and countertops. While a standard depth fridge (also known as a full-sized fridge) has a larger capacity and will jut out a few inches from your other appliances.

How far should a refrigerator stick out from cabinets? A standard refrigerator typically sticks out six or so inches from cabinets.

Here's how the numbers line up: Small Refrigerators: Offer 11–13 cubic feet of space, ideal for 1 to 2 people. Medium Refrigerators: Offer 18–22 cubic feet, ideal for a family of 3 or 4. Large Refrigerators: Offer 22–28 cubic feet, ideal for a large family of 5 or more, or for active home chefs.

Refrigerator capacity ranges

With full-size refrigerators ranging from 10 to 32 cu. ft., this means that a family of four probably won't want anything much less than 20 cubic feet, and might prefer something even roomier.