Kitchen sinks come in a myriad of sizes. A standard kitchen sink measures 22 x 30 inches. A small sink measures eights inches, while larger units go over 60 inches long.
That said, the right sink size for you will depend on how much cabinet space you have in your overall kitchen size and what purpose your sink will serve.
In this guide, we’ll get deeper into everything you need to know about kitchen sink sizes to help you quickly find the perfect sink size for your kitchen.
What is the standard kitchen sink size?
The standard sink for your kitchen measures 22 by30 inches. This size can apply to either a single bowl or a double sink design. While the front-to-back dimensions tend to remain the same (i.e. 22 inches) due to the size of most cabinets and countertops, the width of different sink types can vary dramatically.
Single bowls can feature larger width dimensions of up to 33 inches while double bowl models can measure up to 48 inches. If you go for triple bowl sinks, you can easily find units with a width of up to 60 inches!
Don’t forget you can also find narrow trough sinks which are mainly intended to make food preparations easy for you. These sinks usually measure 8 to 14 inches front-to-back and can stretch up to 50 inches or more in width.
How deep is the standard kitchen sink?
The depth for a standard kitchen sink falls between 8 and 10 inches. While some homeowners would prefer the deeper 10-inch sink due to their ability to make soaking pans and pots easier, these sinks might not be comfortable for shorter family members.
A shallow sink (8-inch deep), on the other hand, makes reaching and prep work much easier. Most prep sinks usually fall in the shallow end of the depth spectrum and you’ll find them installed alongside standard sinks for cleaning veggies and washing dishes.
When deciding on the right sink depth for you, it’s worth keeping in mind that undermount sinks sit approx. 2 inches lower than the drop-in sinks. Needless to say, this can make your sink bottom a bit difficult to reach.
How do I know what size sink to buy?
Before you can even focus on other kitchen features, you should focus on getting the right size. And while still at it, it’s important to note the perfect size for a kitchen sink ultimately boils down to the space you have in your kitchen and cabinet as well as what purpose you intend your sink to serve.
Don’t forget that even an average size sink might look too large of a size for a small kitchen. If you have a small kitchen area—smaller than 15o sq. ft. or 10 by 15ft.—you’d want to keep off the large units and go for models below the standard sink size.
If you have a larger kitchen, over 150 sq. ft., you can comfortably g for the larger sinks. You might even consider double and triple bowl designs which are designed with larger families in mind.
Measuring the available cabinet space
Before picking any sink, you should always measure the space available where you plan to set the new sink.
If you plan to place your new sink in the existing space, you just need to take the exact measurements and look for a sink that matches these measurements.
However, if you’re upgrading your kitchen sink, you’ll have the freedom to customize your cabinet space and get the sink size you prefer.
The average kitchen cabinet measures 36 to 42 inches high, 25-1/4 to 26 inches wide, and up to 24 inches deep. A standard 22 by 30-inch sink will comfortably fit in this space.
If your cabinet dimensions are more significant than this, it can easily let in a larger unit.
To find the right sink size for your specific kitchen cabinets, measure the cabinet’s depth, height, and width, then subtract two to three inches from each measurement.
Different styles of kitchen sink to consider
The installation style of a given sink is also a critical consideration when selecting the right sink size for your kitchen.
The three most popular installation styles for kitchen sinks include:
1. Top-mount sinks
Top mount or drop-in sinks are the most effortless style of sinks to install. They’re meant for installation from the top and don’t require any professional to set them up.
Installing these sinks is an easy DIY task.
If you want to upgrade to a larger model, you need to do minimal remodeling on the new sink cutout hole to accommodate a more oversized sink than the current one. If you’re replacing the existing sink with a new sink of the same size, it’s even easier! You don’t need to do any remodeling—grab the new sink and drop it right inside the existing hole.
However, some homeowners tend to avoid top mount sinks because they have a visible rim that can easily trap food debris and gunk if not watertight sealed. This rim also takes up countertop space.
A great alternative that eliminates this problem is the undermount sink discussed below.
2. Under-mount sinks
These sinks are designed to mount to your kitchen countertop’s underside and are held in place using brackets, clips, or adhesive.
This installation method completely hides the sink rim, making cleaning up around the sink easier while providing an overall streamlined and sleek appearance.
These sinks are best suited for granite, quartz, and stone countertops.
3. Farmhouse/apron sink
Apron sinks have their front edge extending beyond your countertop edge (hence the name “Apron”).
They featured a design popular with rustic kitchens and resembled old-fashioned farmhouse sinks that initially served as basins mounted on kitchen tables or the top of freestanding counters.
Due to their unique design, where they tend to protrude from the counter, sizing these sinks can get a bit tricky.
Unlike in the case of other sinks, you’ll need to determine how far your sink should come out.
The standard kitchen countertop measures 25 inches wide, making placement critical for determining your farmhouse sink size.
You want to avoid your sink jetting out too much or limiting the back counter space. Your kitchen dimensions should also come into play when calculating the protrusion and placement.
The sink depth determines the apron length, so you should be ready to get an apron as long as 10 inches.
You can get a farmhouse sink measuring anything from 20 inches (perfect for a small kitchen) to 60 inches (ideal for larger families). They also come in single, double, and triple bowl designs.
Final verdict
It can be disappointing to get a great-looking sink that you feel will meet your needs, only to get disappointed when you discover it won’t fit in the available kitchen space.
Before you go for a new kitchen sink, we advise you to obtain measurements of the amount of cabinet space available. It will enable you to pick a sink that perfectly fits the open space. If you’re remodeling your kitchen, you can customize your cabinets to accommodate a more oversized sink of your choice.
Remember that the size of your kitchen should also play a role in the size of the sink you choose.