How to Measure for Under Cabinet Range Hood? | Get The Fit Right

Measure the width of your cooktop and the distance from the stove top up to the bottom of the cabinet to find the right under-cabinet range hood size.

For the full breakdown, see our best 36 Inch Under Cabinet Range Hood guide.

Getting the measurements right for an under-cabinet range hood is what separates an easy afternoon install from a frustrating return. The two numbers that matter most are the cooktop width and the vertical clearance from the cooking surface to the cabinet bottom. Nail these down, and you’ll know which hood size fits both your stove and your space.

What Size Range Hood Do You Need for Your Cooktop?

The hood should be roughly the same width as your cooktop. Whirlpool’s guidance points to this directly, noting that for a 30-inch cooktop, you’ll want a 30-inch hood, and a 36-inch cooktop calls for a 36-inch unit. Under-cabinet vent hoods typically run from 20 to 60 inches wide, with 30-inch and 36-inch models being the most common.

A hood that’s narrower than the cooktop won’t capture smoke and steam from the edge burners, so err on the side of matching the width exactly. If you’re between sizes, go wider rather than narrower. For a look at what’s available in the most popular size, check out our roundup of the best 36 inch under cabinet range hood options.

How High Above the Stove Should a Range Hood Be?

Most installation manuals recommend mounting the bottom of the hood 27 to 30 inches above the cooking surface, with 24 inches as the common safety minimum. Some under-cabinet guides allow a wider span of 24 to 30 inches, while at least one manual lists 18 to 28 inches as acceptable but caps the maximum at 28 inches for best performance.

Here’s the catch: mounting the hood too high kills its ability to capture grease and smoke before it spreads through the kitchen. The manuals repeatedly warn against exceeding the stated maximum installation height. Since the exact range varies by model, treat the range printed in your hood’s own manual as the final word.

How to Measure the Cabinet Opening and Clearance

The under-cabinet space itself matters just as much as the hood’s size. Start by measuring the distance from the cooktop surface straight up to the bottom of the cabinet. If that number falls outside the hood’s recommended range, a ducted or recirculating configuration might change what fits.

Next, confirm the cabinet opening itself. Official manuals state that the cabinet opening dimensions shown in their diagrams must be used, and for a 30-inch hood configuration, that typically means a minimum cabinet width of 30 inches. The hood should sit centered beneath the cabinet and flush with its front edge. Measure the depth of the cabinet box too, since the hood needs to fit inside that footprint.

One detail that gets overlooked: recessed cabinet bottoms. Some manuals specify 4-inch-wide wood filler strips to give the hood a flat mounting surface when the cabinet bottom is recessed. Ignoring this can leave the hood unsupported.

Marking and Preparing the Mounting Spot

Once the measurements check out, the prep work follows a clear sequence. Measure the distance between the cooktop and the bottom of the planned hood location, verify the width match, and check the ceiling height plus duct and cord routing before drilling anything.

• Mark the mounting holes: Hold the hood in place and mark the hole locations under the cabinet.
• Drill pilot holes: Drill at the marked spots to keep the screws from splitting the wood.
• Cut the openings: Cut separate openings for the vent pipe and the power cord where required, planning these cutouts before finalizing the mounting holes.
• Secure the hood: Attach the hood with the screws, centered and flush with the cabinet front.

The common failure here is skipping the vent and power-cord planning. Cutting those openings after the hood is mounted forces awkward, incorrect cutouts. Plan the duct route and electrical access first. For recessed bottoms, install the filler strips before marking the mounting holes.

Since these measurements vary from one model to the next, the installation manual that ships with your specific hood governs over any general advice. Ducted and recirculating units can also require different clearances, so check the manual for your configuration before committing to a mounting height.