Stack functionally.
Linear feet of upper and base cabinets for any kitchen. Budget and cabinet count by kitchen size and layout.
How we calculated this
Kitchen cabinets are measured in linear feet — the combined length of all base and upper cabinet sections. Base cabinets (on the floor, 24" deep, 34.5" tall before countertop) run along most walls. Upper cabinets (mounted on the wall, 12" deep, typically 30-42" tall) cover 70-75% of the same wall length because sinks, stoves, and windows interrupt the run.
Layout determines total perimeter. Single-wall: one run of 10-15 ft typically. Galley: two parallel walls, 8-12 ft each. L-shape: two walls meeting at a corner. U-shape: three walls. L + island: L-shape plus an island (typically 6-8 ft of base cabinets, no uppers). Your layout + wall lengths tells the calculator everything.
Appliance deduction: each major appliance (stove, sink, dishwasher) replaces about 3 feet of base cabinet. A kitchen with stove, sink, and dishwasher loses 9 linear feet of base cabinetry. Single-wall layouts have 6 ft deducted (usually no dishwasher or smaller kitchen).
Cabinet count uses 24-inch average width. Real cabinets range from 12" (single door) to 36-48" (wide double-door or drawer banks) — the 24-inch average produces a realistic estimate for typical kitchens. Tight kitchens with many small cabinets have more units; spacious kitchens with fewer-but-larger cabinets have fewer.
Price estimates (installed, 2025-2026 US) by grade: stock cabinets (IKEA Sektion, Home Depot Hampton Bay) $80-180/ft — pre-assembled or flat-pack, limited sizes, basic finishes, quick install. Mid-range semi-custom (Kraftmaid, Thomasville, Diamond) $180-400/ft — most Americans' choice, 8-10 week lead time, lots of options. Custom cabinetry $400-800/ft — made-to-spec, any size or style, 12-20 week lead time.
Not captured: countertop (see countertop calculator), backsplash (see backsplash calculator), appliances themselves, hardware upgrades (pulls/knobs average $5-20 each, 20-40 per kitchen), crown molding and trim, lighting. Total kitchen remodel budget (materials + labor + permits) typically 2-3× the cabinet cost alone.
Cabinets are measured in linear feet, but priced by the grade
Kitchen cabinet costs range from $100 to $1,500 per linear foot depending on whether you buy stock, semi-custom, or full custom. That 15× spread makes cabinets the single most variable cost in any kitchen remodel. A 20 LF L-shaped kitchen costs $2,000 to $6,000 in stock cabinets or $10,000 to $30,000 in custom. Same layout, same linear footage, wildly different price. The calculator above estimates cabinet count by layout type. The grade decision is yours.
How we calculated these numbers▾
Linear foot estimates from NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) standard layout dimensions. Cabinet pricing from stock (Home Depot, IKEA, Cabinets To Go), semi-custom (KraftMaid, Diamond), and custom fabricator pricing in 2026.
Stock | Semi-custom | Custom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead time | In stock / 1-2 weeks | 4-8 weeks | 8-16 weeks |
| Size options | 3" increments only | 1" increments | Any size |
| Finish options | Limited (5-10) | Moderate (20-50) | Unlimited |
| Quality | Particle board boxes | Plywood boxes typical | Plywood or hardwood |
For most kitchens, semi-custom cabinets are the sweet spot: plywood construction with size flexibility, at 40-60% of custom pricing.
For countertop sizing on top of your cabinets, use the countertop calculator.
Sources
- NKBA — Kitchen Planning Guidelines — Industry standards for kitchen layout and cabinet sizing
- HomeAdvisor — Cabinet Cost Guide — Reference for installed cost by cabinet grade
Frequently asked
How many linear feet of cabinets do I need for a 10×12 kitchen?
Depends on layout. Galley (cabinets on two opposite walls): 20 linear ft base + 15 upper = 35 total. L-shape: 20 base + 14 upper = 34. U-shape with 3 walls: 28 base + 20 upper = 48. The calculator above handles any layout and wall dimensions.
What's the difference between stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets?
Stock: pre-made in standard sizes (3-inch increments), limited door styles and colors, cheapest. Semi-custom: pre-made but with more size options, dozens of finishes, door style choices, mid-range price. Custom: made to your exact specifications, any size, any finish, any style, most expensive and longest lead time.
Should I buy assembled or flat-pack (RTA) cabinets?
Flat-pack (ready-to-assemble) cabinets save 20-30% but require 2-4 hours per cabinet to assemble. IKEA Sektion is the most common flat-pack; very good quality for the price but requires patience. Pre-assembled cabinets cost more but arrive ready to install. For most DIYers: pre-assembled is worth the extra cost.
How do I measure my kitchen for cabinets?
Measure each wall's length (floor to wall intersections). For an L-shape, measure both legs. For U, all three. Note locations of doors, windows, electrical, plumbing. Measure floor-to-ceiling to pick upper cabinet height (30" short, 36" standard, 42" tall to ceiling). The calculator uses linear feet; you convert measurements to individual cabinet sizes in final design.
Do I need an island?
An island adds counter space and storage but requires 42-48 inches of clearance on all sides (more for walk-through). Minimum kitchen for an island: 12×10 ft. Smaller kitchens with islands feel cramped. Alternative: a peninsula (attached to one wall) uses less floor space. Budget $1,500-5,000 for a basic island, much more for fully finished.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost?
Budget: $15,000-25,000 (stock cabinets, laminate counters, DIY paint, keep existing layout). Mid-range: $30,000-60,000 (semi-custom, quartz, some layout changes). High-end: $60,000-150,000+ (custom, premium appliances, full layout reconfiguration). Cabinets alone are 30-40% of total budget. Countertops 10-15%. Appliances 10-20%. Labor 15-25%.
What about cabinet hardware?
Pulls and knobs typically $5-20 each for basic, $20-50 for premium. A typical kitchen uses 30-50 pieces. Budget $200-1,500 just for hardware. Soft-close hinges are often upgrade-only on stock cabinets (add $50-100 per cabinet). Semi-custom and custom usually include soft-close as standard.
Can I reuse existing cabinets?
Options: refinishing (sand and stain or paint existing, $1,500-4,000 for a typical kitchen), refacing (replace doors and drawer fronts, keep the boxes, $5,000-15,000), or full replacement. Reusing makes sense if cabinets are solid wood in good structural condition — particleboard or MDF boxes 15+ years old are usually not worth refinishing.
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