Most countertop microwaves measure 16–20 inches deep, while over-the-range models typically run 15–18 inches deep with the door closed.
A countertop microwave that fits your old unit’s spot can still fail on depth alone, measured from the front of the door to the back panel with the door shut. Depth shifts by type: compact models sit around 12–16 inches, over-the-range units near 15–18 inches, and built-in models stretch to 20–25 inches. The sections below break down each category, then show how to measure the space you actually have.
Average Microwave Depth by Type
Countertop microwaves are the deepest common category, and there is no single universal standard depth. The ranges below come from Maytag’s and KitchenAid’s published size guides.
- Countertop: 12–20 inches deep
- Compact countertop: 12–16 inches deep
- Over-the-range: 15–18 inches deep
- Low-profile over-the-range: about 12¾ inches deep
- Built-in: 20–25 inches deep
Larger models overall often land in a 12¾–25 inch depth band, paired with 10–22 inches of height and 24–30 inches of width. Depth decides whether a unit fits under an upper cabinet or slides into an existing cutout, so treat the other two as secondary until depth is settled.
Real Model Depths You Can Compare Against
Published spec sheets are the most reliable depth source because they measure front to back, door closed. Four current models show how much the range spreads.
| Model | Published Depth | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| GE JVM3160RFSS | 15.5625 in | 1.6 cu ft |
| GE JES1072SHSS | 12.750 in | 0.7 cu ft |
| LG LMV1764ST | 15.688 in | 1.7 cu ft |
| GE JVM7195SKSS | 15.562 in | 1.9 cu ft |
| Low-profile over-the-range (typical) | about 12.75 in | Varies by model |
| Standard over-the-range (typical) | 15–18 in | Varies by model |
| Built-in (typical) | 20–25 in | Varies by model |
The three over-the-range GE and LG units cluster within about a tenth of an inch of each other — 15.56 to 15.69 inches — good news when replacing one over-the-range microwave with another. Compact countertop units are the outliers, running shallower because their whole cabinet is smaller.
How To Measure Depth (and the Clearance People Forget)
Measure from the front face of the closed door to the rearmost point of the cabinet, and write the number down before you shop. Whirlpool’s buying guide recommends checking height, width, and depth together so the unit fits the opening you have.
Depth is only half the job. The door needs room to swing, and that open-door span is far larger than the closed footprint. Three clearance rules decide whether the install works:
- Keep at least 30 inches between the cooktop and the bottom of an over-the-range microwave after installation.
Built-in depth requirements vary by model, so the installation drawing that ships with the unit is authoritative — not a generic blog range. If you are shopping for a shallow cabinet profile, this roundup of the best 15 inch deep microwave options narrows the field to models that fit tight spaces.
Why Depth Is the Spec That Breaks Installs
Depth fails installs more often than height or width because people measure the cabinet opening and stop there. Maytag’s sizing guide makes the point directly: measure the available space and confirm all three dimensions before buying.
A microwave that is 15.5625 inches deep can still be wrong if your upper cabinets leave only 14 inches of usable space, or if a sidewall blocks the door from opening past 90 degrees. The three GE and LG over-the-range models above share nearly identical width — 29.875 inches — so width almost never varies in that category. Depth does. That is why the same 30-inch-wide slot can accept a shallow low-profile unit and reject a standard one.
For countertop shoppers, measure your counter depth and subtract a few inches for cord clearance and airflow at the back. A 16-inch-deep unit on a 15-inch counter overhangs the edge, which is a stability problem, not just cosmetic.
Check exact dimensions for any current model on the manufacturer’s official product page — KitchenAid’s microwave dimension guide explains how each measurement is taken so you compare like with like.
FAQs
Is 15 inches deep enough for a microwave to fit under cabinets?
Usually yes, but check clearance behind and above the unit. An over-the-range model around 15.56 inches deep, like the GE JVM3160RFSS, fits most standard cabinet runs. Confirm you still have at least 30 inches between the cooktop and the microwave bottom after installation, and 6 inches near a left sidewall for the door to swing.
Do all over-the-range microwaves have the same depth?
No, though they cluster tightly. The GE JVM3160RFSS, GE JVM7195SKSS, and LG LMV1764ST all publish depths between 15.56 and 15.69 inches. Low-profile over-the-range models are shallower at roughly 12¾ inches, which matters if your cabinets sit lower than standard height above the cooktop.
Should I measure microwave depth with the door open or closed?
Closed, from the front of the door to the back of the cabinet. That is the number competing with your cabinet depth. But open-door clearance also has to fit the room — over-the-range units commonly need 42–45 inches of swing space, so a sidewall or fridge beside the unit can block the door even when the closed depth fits fine.
References & Sources
- Maytag. “Microwave Sizes: A Guide to Common Dimensions” Source for depth ranges by microwave type and the measure-before-buying guidance.
- KitchenAid. “Microwave Sizes: How to Measure a Microwave” Explains how depth measurements are taken, door closed, front to back.
- Whirlpool. “Microwave Buying Guide: How to Choose in 3 Steps” Supports the height-width-depth confirmation step before purchase.