Countertop Microwave Dimensions: Under Cabinets
Bodies run 17 to 24 inches wide and 10 to 14 inches tall, but the deciding measurement is the gap under your wall cabinets minus the 3 inches of vent clearance the top needs. Against a typical 18 inches of under-cabinet height every class fits — until a shelf, a backsplash rail or a range hood takes some of it.
How big is a countertop microwave?#
Countertop microwaves span a compact 17-to-19-inch body up to a large family unit 23 to 24 inches wide, and almost none of them are stopped by width. What stops them is the vent gap: about 3 inches has to stay open above, behind and to the sides, so a 14-inch-tall body needs a good deal more than 14 inches of clearance under the wall cabinet. The table below gives the three classes; the one after it reads your own counter back as a verdict.
Countertop microwave dimensions by configuration#
| Configuration | Width (in) | Height (in) | Depth (in) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact countertop | 17–19 | 10–11 | 13–15 | dorms, offices, and reheating |
| Mid-size countertop | 20–22 | 12–13 | 15–18 | everyday family cooking |
| Large family countertop | 23–24 | 13–14 | 18–20 | big plates and casserole dishes |
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Your counter, measured, and the class that sits on it#
Measure from the countertop to the underside of the wall cabinet, then the clear counter depth and the free width beside the spot. Find your tightest number below.
| What you measured | Class it takes | The clearance that decides it |
|---|---|---|
| Under-cabinet height under 14 in | Compact only (10–11 in tall) | The 3 in of vent space above comes off the gap before the body does |
| Under-cabinet height 15–17 in | Compact or mid-size (12–13 in tall) | A large family unit is 13–14 in tall and leaves nothing for the vent gap in this band |
| The full 18 in of under-cabinet height | Any class, large family included (13–14 in tall) | This is the typical kitchen figure — measure it anyway, because a backsplash shelf or rail eats it silently |
| Clear counter depth under 18 in | Compact (13–15 in) or mid-size (15–18 in) | A large family unit is 18–20 in deep and overhangs the counter edge, where the door leverages it forward |
| Less than 16 in of free counter beside the spot | The body fits; the door does not open | The door needs 16 to 20 in of swing width, so a corner or a wall inside that distance blocks it |
Three capacity classes are counted above — compact, mid-size and large family — and the spans are body sizes from manufacturer sheets, not a survey of what is on shelves this month. The vent gap is the one figure specified per model rather than per class: 3 in is the common requirement, and a model can ask for more.
Installation clearances for a countertop microwave#
- Vent clearance: 3 in in of open space around a countertop microwave on the top, back, and sides for airflow.
- Under-cabinet height: 18 in in of vertical space under the wall cabinets so a countertop microwave fits with its vent gap.
- Door swing: 16–20 in in of counter width a countertop microwave door needs to swing fully open.
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Will your countertop microwave fit? Clearances and door swing#
A countertop microwave mostly just needs a stable surface, but two clearances matter: leave about 3 inches around the vents so it can shed heat, and confirm the height fits under any wall cabinet — most units are 10 to 14 inches tall against a typical 18 inches of under-cabinet clearance. The door swings 16 to 20 inches out, so keep the front and one side clear for it to open. Measure the counter depth against the 13-to-20-inch body plus the door, and check the width — up to 24 inches for a large family model — does not crowd the backsplash or a corner.
Countertop microwave sizes by type: compact countertop, mid-size countertop, large family countertop#
The three countertop sizes trade counter space for capacity. A compact countertop microwave, 17 to 19 inches wide and 10 to 11 inches tall at 13 to 15 inches deep, is the smallest, ideal for a dorm, office, or tight galley where every inch counts. A mid-size, 20 to 22 inches wide and 12 to 13 inches tall, is the everyday family choice that reheats a dinner plate with room to spare. A large family countertop, 23 to 24 inches wide and 13 to 14 inches tall at 18 to 20 inches deep, holds a big casserole dish but claims a real chunk of counter. All three need about 3 inches of vent clearance.
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