The 600 mm grid: German kitchen dimensions explained
German kitchens are planned on a grid. Knowing it helps you read our drawings and understand where bespoke planning starts.
| Element | Typical size | In inches |
|---|---|---|
| Base cabinet width | 300 to 1200 mm | 11 ¾ to 47 ¼″ |
| Common module | 600 mm | 23 ⅝″ |
| Base cabinet depth | 560 to 600 mm | 22 to 23 ⅝″ |
| Worktop depth | 600 to 650 mm | 23 ⅝ to 25 ⅝″ |
| Worktop height | 860 to 960 mm | 33 ⅞ to 37 ¾″ |
| Plinth height | 100 to 150 mm | 4 to 5 ⅞″ |
| Carcass board | 19 mm | ¾″ |
These are starting points, not limits. In a bespoke kitchen we set the worktop height for the people who cook, often 900 to 950 mm for tall clients, and we make cabinets in any width the wall needs, so filler strips disappear.
Why the grid still matters
Built-in appliances are made for the 600 mm module, and so are sinks and many fittings. Keeping to the grid where appliances sit, and departing from it where the room asks, gives you the best of both.