Will a Microwave Fit Under My Cabinet?

Short answer: usually yes, and the ones that fail do so for a reason that is not height.

The counter-to-cabinet gap in most kitchens runs somewhere around 16 to 18 inches. Countertop microwaves tend to be 10 to 14 inches tall. On paper almost everything fits. In practice the two things that kill it are depth once the door is open and rear clearance for the vent.

Step 1: measure your actual gap

Tape measure on the counter, straight up to the underside of the upper cabinet. Measure at the lowest point — under-cabinet lighting, trim, or a shelf lip will all reduce it, and none of that shows up in a kitchen photo.

Write that number down. Everything below is compared against it.

Step 2: subtract the top clearance

This is the step people skip.

Most microwaves vent heat, and the manual specifies a gap above the unit. The required amount varies by model — check the installation section of the manual for the specific unit, not the marketing copy.

Your usable height is:

counter-to-cabinet gap  −  required top clearance  =  tallest microwave you can buy

If your gap is 17 inches and the model asks for 3 inches above, you are shopping for something 14 inches tall or less. Not 17.

Step 3: check depth with the door open

A microwave's listed depth is the box. It does not include:

• The handle, which can add an inch or more
• The door swing, which needs roughly the width of the door to open
• The plug, which can take two to three inches behind the unit unless you use a right-angle plug

If the microwave sits in a corner, the door may hit the adjacent wall before it opens fully. Check this before buying, not after — stand where the microwave will go and swing your arm through the arc the door will take.

Step 4: rear clearance

Same logic as top clearance. Many models ask for a gap behind for airflow. That comes out of your counter depth.

A unit listed at 15 inches deep that wants 2 inches behind it needs 17 inches of counter. The listing will say 15.

The sizes, roughly

Countertop microwaves cluster into three groups. These are general ranges to orient you, not specifications — always check the actual model.

Small (around 0.5 to 0.7 cubic feet). Typically 10 to 12 inches tall and 16 to 18 inches wide. Fits almost any gap. Usually lower wattage, so cooking times run longer. A dinner plate may not rotate freely — check the turntable diameter against a plate you actually own.

Mid (around 0.9 to 1.2 cubic feet). Typically 12 to 14 inches tall, 19 to 21 inches wide. The common choice. Fits most kitchens, handles a dinner plate.

Large (1.4 cubic feet and up). Often 14 inches or more tall and over 22 inches wide. Height is rarely the problem here. Width and depth usually are.

The turntable measurement nobody checks

Interior capacity in cubic feet tells you volume, not whether your dishes fit. The number that matters is turntable diameter.

Measure the largest plate or container you reheat regularly. If the turntable is smaller than that, the plate will catch on the cavity wall and stop rotating, which causes uneven heating. This is a frequent complaint about compact models and it is entirely predictable before purchase.

Over-the-range is a different question

Everything above is about countertop microwaves. Over-the-range units mount in place of a range hood and have their own requirements — minimum height above the cooking surface, venting configuration, and cabinet support. Those are installation decisions and often local-code decisions. Consult the installation manual and, where relevant, a qualified installer.

Quick checklist

Before you buy, you should know:

• Counter-to-cabinet gap at its lowest point
• Top clearance the model requires
• Rear clearance the model requires
• Usable counter depth, minus the plug
• Whether the door can swing fully open where it will sit
• Turntable diameter vs. your largest plate
• Where the cord exits and whether it reaches your outlet

If all seven check out, it fits. If you skip the clearance ones, you are guessing on the two measurements most likely to fail.

How we source these numbers

CompactSpecs records dimensions and clearance figures as published by manufacturers in product documentation. We do not test units ourselves, and we do not estimate numbers manufacturers have not stated.

The manual for your specific model is always the authority, particularly for installation, ventilation and anything touching electrical requirements.