How to Measure Stove Tops

Measuring for the appropriate stove top is straightforward.

When remodeling your existing home or trying to pick out appliances for a new home, you will need to be able to measure your appliances. The sizes of the appliances are needed by the cabinet shop who will build new cabinets, or by the salesperson at the appliance store selling you new appliances to fit into your existing cabinets. The do-it-yourself handyman can measure a stovetop with just a tape measure.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Place a tape measure at the far left side of the stove top. Pull it straight across the stove top to the opposite side. Read the tape measure; this is the width of the stove top. Most stoves tops are 30, 36 or 42 inches wide. Make sure that the tape measure stays flat as you take the measurement. If you have a burner in the way move the tape so that the burner is not interfering with your measurement.

2. Place the tape measure at the far back of the stove top. Pull the tape measure toward you and read the depth of the stove top.

3. Place a straight edge across the top of the stove at the highest point. Measure the distance from the top of the countertop to the bottom of the straight edge. This is the height of the stove top. The rough opening for the stove top will be smaller than the stove top. The stove top will overhang the rough opening by 1/4 to 1/2 inch depending on the make of the appliance.