Looking for a New Fridge? How to Find the Right Refrigerator Size

Try not to get overwhelmed by the many choices in styles, brands and features. There’s no perfect fridge, it’s all about what works for your budget, lifestyle and living space. It’s easy to get distracted by the look or refrigerator finish, but don’t forget to start by narrowing down your choices based on these essential questions.

• Will this fridge size fit into my kitchen space?
• Is there enough room for proper ventilation based on your refrigerator measurements?
• Can the refrigerator be brought into my house? Think about the entire pathway into the house including stairs and doorways. Remember that many models feature removeable doors which can help.

If you’re interested in the sleek look that a counter-depth refrigerator provides, keep in mind that it does impact the refrigerator dimensions. A standard-depth refrigerator will extend six inches past the front of the counter into your kitchen space. While it might not seem like much, it makes a difference if you have a kitchen island or if you’re already used to a counter-depth design style.

Replacing a refrigerator would be so much easier if every model was one standard size. But depending on your needs you could wind up with more or less fridge space than you want. Since the size and design of each kitchen is so different, refrigerator styles come in a range of sizes to meet those needs. Here are some of the average refrigerator sizes you can expect based on the refrigerator style:

French Door Refrigerators: Fridge sizes can vary from 29-36 inches wide by 68-70 inches tall and 29-35 inches deep.

Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators: Fridge sizes can vary from 29-33 inches wide by 67-70 inches tall and 33 inches deep.

Side-by-Side Refrigerators: Fridge sizes can vary from 32-40 inches wide by 65-72 inches tall and 29-32 inches deep.

Top-Freezer Refrigerators: Fridge sizes can vary from 28-33 inches wide by 61-67 inches tall and 28-35 inches deep.

Once you’ve chosen the right spot for your new fridge, you need to measure to make sure the model you want will fit. Before you begin, grab a tape measure and your phone to record the refrigerator measurements. If you want to use paper and a pencil, snap a picture of the measurements with your phone so you’ll always have them with you, just in case the paper gets misplaced or left at home.

Start by measuring the width of the space, but make sure you measure in three places. Up high by the upper cabinets, mid-level by the counter and at the ground level. Old houses, and wood in general, change over time. Expanding and contracting leads to different measurements and changes in surfaces. Then measure from floor to ceiling or the bottom of the cabinet that sits above the refrigerator. Consider the door hinges on top of the fridge and make sure they have clearance. Then measure the depth of the space, from the back wall forward, you want to make sure the length in relation to the countertop feels right and that the doors have enough clearance to open.

It never hurts to measure your existing fridge width, height and depth to give a reference point if you know you need a larger regrigerator size or want to downsize.

To ensure proper functioning, it’s important to plan for extra space around the fridge for ventilation. Make sure you have 1/8 to ¼-inch of space between the sides of refrigerator and the counter or wall. Keep one inch of space clear above the top of fridge and at least two inches between the back of the fridge and the wall for clearance for the electrical outlet and water connections, but you may need more for water and an ice dispenser’s supply lines. Although we mentioned it before, make sure there’s plenty of clearance for the doors to open and close easily.

There are general rules when it comes to how many cubic feet you need based on how many people are in your household. Use these numbers as general guidelines: two people typically need between 4-13 cubic feet, while a family of five people or more would want a fridge with at least 25-cubic feet.

Beyond that, think about whether you buy more fresh or frozen food. It helps inform how much space you need in your refrigerator and freezer. Depending on your needs it’s smart to think about buying a mini fridge for beverages only or a separate freezer for frozen foods.