A standard built-in dishwasher is about 24 in wide (61 cm), 24 in deep and 34 to 35 in tall (86 to 89 cm). It slides into an opening between cabinets that is 24 in wide, 24 in deep and about 34 in high under the counter. The machine itself is a little narrower than its name: Bosch's 24 in models are 23 9/16 in wide. Compact dishwashers are 18 in wide.
Dishwasher fit checker
Measure the opening: its width between the cabinets, its height from the floor to the underside of the counter, and its depth from the wall. The checker compares it with the cut-out sizes in Bosch and KitchenAid documents.
Standard dishwasher sizes
| Type | Width | Depth | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard built-in | 24 in | 24 in | about 35 in | Fits most kitchens |
| Compact built-in | 18 in | 24 in | about 35 in | Apartments, small kitchens |
| Oversized built-in | 30 to 42 in | 24 in | about 35 in | Wider than the standard opening |
| Portable | about 24 in | about 27 in | about 37 in | On wheels; no opening needed |
Source: Whirlpool, "How to Measure for Standard Dishwasher Sizes". Whirlpool notes that a dishwasher is named for the opening it fits, so a "24 in" model may be closer to 23½ in wide.
Is a 24 in dishwasher really 24 in?
No, it is a little less, so it can slide in. Actual sizes from maker documents:
| Model | Machine (H × W × D) | Opening needed (H × W × D) |
|---|---|---|
| Bosch SHX4AEF5N, 24 in | 33⅞ × 23 9/16 × 22 9/16 in | 33⅞ × 24 × 24 in |
| KitchenAid KDTE104D series, 24 in | 23⅞ in wide | 34 × 24 × 24 in |
| Bosch SGE53U55UC, 24 in low-height | 32 1/16 × 23 9/16 × 22 9/16 in | 32⅛ × 24 × 24 in |
| Bosch SPE68U55UC, 18 in ADA | 32 1/16 × 17⅝ × 22 9/16 in | 32⅛ × 17¾ × 24 in |
Sources: Bosch spec sheets for the SHX4AEF5N, SGE53U55UC and SPE68U55UC; KitchenAid planning guide W10579129, which gives 33½ in as the lowest height with the wheels removed. Bosch says to check the installation instructions before making a cut-out.
Dishwasher opening size
The opening, sometimes called the rough opening or cut-out, is 24 in wide, 24 in deep and at least 34 in high from the floor to the underside of the counter (KitchenAid). Standard base cabinets under a 36 in counter leave 34½ in, which is what KitchenAid lists for a cabinet with a 4 in toe kick, and Whirlpool says most dishwashers need an opening 34½ to 36 in tall. Adjustable feet take up the difference.
Two things change the height: a new floor laid into the opening, which lowers it, and a thicker counter, which can lower the underside. Measure after both are in, or plan for them. See standard counter height and standard cabinet depth.
Will a dishwasher fit under a 34 in counter?
Not a standard one. A 34 in high counter, the height used for accessible kitchens, leaves about 32½ in under a 1½ in top, short of the 34 in a standard dishwasher needs. Low-height models fit: Bosch's 24 in SGE53U55UC and 18 in SPE68U55UC need 32⅛ in.
Space around a dishwasher
- In front: at least 27 in clear to load and unload (Whirlpool).
- In a corner: at least 2 in between the side of the open door and a wall or cabinet (Whirlpool).
- Near the sink: within 36 in of the cleanup sink, with at least 21 in of standing room between the dishwasher and counters or appliances at a right angle to it (NKBA).
- Accessible kitchens: clear floor space beside the open door, which must not block it or the sink's (ADA 804.6.3).
How to measure for a dishwasher
- Width: between the cabinets at the narrowest point, front and back.
- Height: from the floor of the opening to the underside of the counter, at the front.
- Depth: from the wall to the front edge of the cabinets.
- Compare the three numbers with the cut-out size on the spec sheet of the model you want.
Check the model's own sheet. Opening sizes vary a little by brand and model; the installation instructions for the dishwasher you buy have the final numbers.
Connecting the water, drain and power is a job for a licensed plumber and electrician; ask your local building department whether it needs a permit. Dishwasher installation cost covers what the work costs. For cleaning and care once it is in, see how to clean a dishwasher on ByTheManual.
Questions people ask
What are the standard dimensions of a dishwasher?
About 24 in wide, 24 in deep and 34 to 35 in tall, for an opening 24 in wide, 24 in deep and about 34 in high.
Is a 24 inch dishwasher really 24 inches?
No. It is a bit narrower so it can slide in: 23 9/16 in for Bosch's 24 in models and 23⅞ in for KitchenAid's.
What is the standard dishwasher size in cm?
About 61 cm wide, 61 cm deep and 86 to 89 cm tall, for an opening 61 cm wide, 61 cm deep and about 86 cm high under the counter.
How big is a dishwasher opening?
24 in wide, 24 in deep and at least 34 in high for a standard model; 17¾ to 18 in wide for a compact one.
What size is an apartment dishwasher?
Usually 18 in wide, the compact size, with the same 24 in depth. Portable models on wheels are about 24 in wide and 27 in deep.
How do you measure for a dishwasher?
Measure the opening three ways: the width between the cabinets at the narrowest point, the height from the floor to the underside of the counter at the front, and the depth from the wall to the front of the cabinets. Then compare them with the cut-out size on the spec sheet of the model you want.
Will a dishwasher fit under a 34 inch counter?
Only a low-height model. Bosch's low-height and ADA models need 32⅛ in, which fits under a 34 in counter with a 1½ in top.
How much space do you need behind a dishwasher?
Bosch's 24 in models are 22 9/16 in deep in a 24 in deep opening, about 1½ in less. The water, drain and power usually come in through a 2½ in hole in the side cabinet wall, which Bosch's sheets show on the left or right. A licensed plumber and electrician should make those connections.
Sources
- Whirlpool, How to Measure for Standard Dishwasher Sizes
- Bosch spec sheets: SHX4AEF5N, SGE53U55UC, SPE68U55UC
- KitchenAid, undercounter dishwasher planning guide W10579129
- National Kitchen & Bath Association, Kitchen Planning Guidelines with Access Standards: the dishwasher's distance from the sink and the standing space beside it. This is NKBA's older free edition; the paid 5th edition (June 2026) was not checked.
- U.S. Access Board, 2010 ADA Standards: 804.6.3
Checked 10 October 2026; NKBA and ADA numbers checked again 19 October 2026. Metric values are converted from inches. The 32½ in under a 34 in counter is our arithmetic.