Guides / Dishwashers
Standard dishwasher size
Sizes from Bosch and GE install sheets. Most brands are close, but the sheet for your model has the final say.
Short answer
A standard dishwasher goes in an opening 24 in wide and 24 in deep. It needs 33⅞ to 35 in from the floor to the underside of the counter. The unit itself is 23 9/16 to 23⅞ in wide, so it slides in with a little room on the sides.
The three sizes
| Size | Opening width | Opening height | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 24 in | 24 in | 33⅞ to 35 in | 24 in |
| Short tub (ADA) | 24 in | 32½ to 34 in | 24 in |
| Compact 18 in | 18 in | 33⅞ to 35 in | 24 in |
Height is the finished floor to the underside of the counter. The legs adjust inside that range and no further.
Almost every kitchen is built for the 24 in size. Base cabinets are 24 in deep and the counter top sits at 36 in. Take off a 1½ in top and you've got about 34½ in under it. That lands right in the standard range.
How to measure the opening
Width is cabinet side to cabinet side. Check it at the top and the bottom, since cabinets aren't always plumb. Height is the finished floor up to the underside of the counter, at the front edge. Depth is the front of the cabinets back to the wall.
Measure each one in two spots and go with the smaller number.
What a few openings get you
Here's what the calculator says for some common openings.
| Opening (W × H × D) | Standard | Short tub |
|---|---|---|
| 24 × 34½ × 24 in | Fits | Gap on top |
| 23¾ × 34½ × 24 in | Tight | Tight |
| 24 × 33 × 24 in | ⅞ in too tall | Fits |
| 24 × 36 × 24 in | Gap on top | Gap on top |
| 24 × 34½ × 23¾ in | Shallow | Gap on top |
| 24 × 34½ × 23 in | 1 in too deep | 1 in too deep |
Tight means only the narrowest units go in. Gap on top means the legs can't reach, so you shim it or live with a gap. Under 24 in deep, the door sits proud and the hoses get pinched. Under 23½ in, it won't go in.
Short tub (ADA) dishwashers
If you've got less than 33⅞ in of height, a standard tub won't go in. Short tub models drop to about 32½ in. They're often sold as ADA models, built to fit under a 34 in accessible counter. There are fewer to pick from.
A new floor is the usual reason an opening comes up short. Tile laid around the old dishwasher eats about ½ in of height and can trap it in place. Run the new floor under the dishwasher spot.
18 in compact dishwashers
A compact needs an opening 18 in wide. The units start at 17⅝ in. Height and depth are the same as a standard. If you put one in a 24 in hole, fill the leftover width with a filler strip or a narrow cabinet.
Same goes for any opening more than ¾ in wider than the cutout. Add a filler so the side brackets have something to screw into.
Corners and the sink
Next to a corner, leave 2 in to the side wall. That way the door clears the drawers and handles on the other run. Keep the dishwasher within 36 in of the sink edge. That's the NKBA guideline, and it keeps drips off the floor.
Before you buy
Most dishwashers ship without the water line, the 90 degree fitting or the power cord. Get the hookup kit before install day, and read the install sheet for your model.