How to Size My Refrigerator

Knowing the size of your old refrigerator helps in purchasing a new one.

When shopping for a new refrigerator, make sure you know the interior and exterior measurements of your old refrigerator, as well as the dimensions of the space the old unit occupied, to avoid bringing home a new fridge that won't fit in.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Measure the exterior size of your refrigerator. Use a tape measure to measure the height, the width and the depth of your current refrigerator.

2. Measure the interior size of your refrigerator. Measure the interior height, length and width of the refrigerator in inches and multiply those three numbers. Measure the freezer side of your refrigerator and multiply those numbers. Add together the cubic inch measurements and divide by 1,728 cubic inches (a cubic foot measurement in inches). For example, say the interior of the fresh food side of the refrigerator measures 24 inches deep by 16 inches wide by 59 inches high -- these numbers multiplied together equal 22,656 cubic inches. Measuring the freezer in the same manner gives a measurement of 11,880 cubic inches. Add together the fresh and freezer sides' cubic-inch measurements; in the example the measurement equals 34,536 cubic inches. Divide this number by 1,728 and the cubic foot size of the refrigerator is 19.98 cubic feet.

3. Measure the area that your old refrigerator occupies. Measure the height, width and depth of the area in which you have to place a refrigerator.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Finding a Fridge
• Lowes: Refrigerator Buying Guide
• Home Depot: Refrigerators