Kitchen Layout Calculator

Plan your kitchen layout, check clearances and work triangle, and get an instant summary of cabinets and appliances.

1. Room size & units

ft
ft

Tip: Start with the wall-to-wall dimensions of your kitchen. You can approximate if you don’t have exact measurements yet.

2. Add cabinets & appliances

Select a tool, then click and drag on the grid to place it. Drag corners to resize. Click an item to edit or delete.

Kitchen layout canvas

Floor plan (top view)
Scale: 1 square ≈ 1 ft

3. Layout checks

Work triangle

Distance between sink, cooktop and fridge.

Total triangle length
–
Each leg
–

Add sink, cooktop and fridge to evaluate.

Aisle & island clearances

Recommended minimum walking and working space.

Narrowest aisle
–
Island clearance (if any)
–

Place cabinets and island to evaluate.

4. Cabinet & appliance summary

Item Count Typical size

Use this as a quick take-off to discuss with your kitchen designer or contractor.

How this kitchen layout calculator works

This tool is a lightweight kitchen planner focused on dimensions, clearances and ergonomics rather than photorealistic 3D. It lets you sketch a top‑view floor plan, place key elements, and automatically checks:

  • Overall room size and scale
  • Distances between sink, cooktop and refrigerator (the work triangle)
  • Minimum aisle widths and island clearances
  • Counts of base, wall and tall cabinets plus major appliances

Recommended kitchen dimensions & clearances

Common North American guidelines (NKBA and similar) suggest:

  • Work triangle total length: 13–26 ft (4.0–8.0 m)
  • Each triangle leg: 4–9 ft (1.2–2.7 m)
  • Walkway / aisle (one cook): ≥ 36 in (0.9 m)
  • Work aisle (two cooks or behind island): ≥ 42–48 in (1.1–1.2 m)
  • Island clearance: ideally ≥ 42 in (1.1 m) on working sides

The calculator compares your layout to these ranges and labels them as: Good, Borderline, or Too tight.

Work triangle calculation

Once you place a sink, cooktop and fridge, the tool measures the triangle between their centers. Distances are computed using the standard Euclidean formula:

For two points \(A(x_1, y_1)\) and \(B(x_2, y_2)\):

\[ d(A,B) = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} \]

The total work triangle length is:

\[ L_\text{triangle} = d(\text{sink}, \text{cooktop}) + d(\text{cooktop}, \text{fridge}) + d(\text{fridge}, \text{sink}) \]

Aisle width estimation

Aisle widths are approximated by scanning the layout for the minimum distance between facing cabinet or island edges. If the narrowest gap is below 36 in (0.9 m), the tool flags it as too tight.

Practical tips for common kitchen layouts

L‑shaped kitchen

  • Place the sink and cooktop on adjacent walls, with the fridge at the end of one leg.
  • Keep at least 15 in (38 cm) of counter on each side of the cooktop.

U‑shaped kitchen

  • Avoid placing tall pantry cabinets directly opposite each other in the tightest part of the U.
  • Check that the opening of the U is at least 48 in (1.2 m) wide if you expect two people cooking.

Galley kitchen

  • Put the sink and cooktop on opposite runs to avoid crowding.
  • Try to keep the aisle at 42 in (1.1 m) or more if doors open into it.

Limitations & next steps

This calculator is for preliminary planning only. It does not account for:

  • Structural walls, plumbing or electrical constraints
  • Exact door swings and window heights
  • Manufacturer‑specific cabinet modules

Always verify measurements on site and review your final plan with a qualified kitchen designer, architect or contractor before ordering cabinetry or starting construction.

FAQ

What is a good size for a kitchen island?

A common minimum is about 4 ft (1.2 m) long and 2 ft (0.6 m) deep, with at least 42 in (1.1 m) of clearance on working sides. Larger rooms can accommodate wider or longer islands, but clearances are usually more important than island size.

Can this tool replace a professional kitchen designer?

No. It’s designed to help you explore options and check basic ergonomics, but it doesn’t replace professional code checks, appliance specifications, or detailed construction drawings.

How accurate are the dimensions?

As long as you enter accurate room measurements and keep the scale unchanged, distances are accurate to within a few centimeters or an inch. For final cabinetry orders, always double‑check with a tape measure and manufacturer specs.