Kitchen Cabinet Calculator
Estimate base cabinets, wall cabinets, tall units, filler allowance and cabinet-box cost from available kitchen wall length.
Default project preview
10 cabinets
Net available run
15 ft
Base cabinets
4
Wall cabinets
5
Tall cabinets
1
Calculator
Build the material order
Your order will appear here
Enter the project details and calculate a rounded material estimate.
Input and output guide
What each value means
The labels and units below are part of this calculator’s visible methodology. Replace every default with measurements or product data from the actual project.
Available cabinet wall run
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 18 ft.
Appliance and doorway width
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 3 ft. Minimum: 0.
Base-cabinet coverage
Enter this project assumption in %. The current imperial default is 60 %. Minimum: 0. Maximum: 100.
Wall-cabinet coverage
Enter this project assumption in %. The current imperial default is 80 %. Minimum: 0. Maximum: 100.
Average cabinet width
Enter this project assumption in in. The current imperial default is 30 in.
Tall pantry cabinets
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 1. Minimum: 0.
Filler and adjustment allowance
Enter this project assumption in %. The current imperial default is 5 %. Minimum: 0. Maximum: 30.
Average base-cabinet price
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 450. Minimum: 0.
Average wall-cabinet price
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 350. Minimum: 0.
Average tall-cabinet price
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 900. Minimum: 0.
How to read the outputs
Net available run
after appliances and doorways. Default preview: 15 ft.
Base cabinets
8.6 ft planned run. Default preview: 4.
Wall cabinets
11.4 ft planned run. Default preview: 5.
Tall cabinets
pantry or oven units. Default preview: 1.
Average module
planning width. Default preview: 30 in.
Cabinet-box cost
average unit prices. Default preview: $4,450.00.
Methodology
Transparent calculation
BuildMeter converts every input to a consistent internal unit, applies the selected allowance, and rounds products up to whole purchasable units.
Net run = wall run − appliance and doorway width. Base and wall runs apply their coverage percentages and filler allowance. Cabinet count = round up (planned run ÷ average module width).
Reviewed project guidance
How to use this estimate in a real project
Last reviewed: August 19, 2026
Translate available kitchen wall run into approximate base, wall and tall cabinet modules after appliance/doorway deductions, coverage percentages and filler allowance.
Calculation steps
- 1Measure usable wall run between fixed boundaries.
- 2Subtract appliances and openings that interrupt cabinet boxes.
- 3Apply the base, wall and tall-unit coverage assumptions to the net run.
- 4Add filler allowance, then divide each planned run by its average module width and round to whole boxes.
Worked numerical example
Start with the measured cabinet wall run, subtract refrigerator/range/doorway widths, then allocate the remaining run between base, wall and tall units. The calculator rounds each planned run by the entered average module width, so a small leftover can create one additional cabinet box.
Purchasing and rounding
Cabinet modules are not interchangeable linear footage. Confirm actual box widths, corner cabinets, fillers, panels, appliance clearances and finished ends from the final layout before ordering.
Interpret the result
The result is an early module count and box-cost scenario. It cannot resolve corner geometry, sink bases, drawer stacks or exact manufacturer SKU combinations.
Page-specific assumptions
- Layout can be approximated as linear wall run.
- Average module widths represent the chosen cabinet line.
- Appliance and doorway deductions are measured accurately.
Common mistakes
- Counting appliance openings as cabinet run.
- Ignoring corner-cabinet geometry.
- Ordering from average module count without a final elevation/layout.
Primary and technical references
BuildMeter provides planning estimates, not engineering, architectural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, permit or code approval. Review the methodology and verify final decisions with product documentation and qualified professionals.
BuildMeter Guides
Understand the measurements and assumptions
Use these visible reference guides before changing project inputs or planning allowances.
FAQ
Kitchen Cabinet Calculator questions
Why use an average cabinet width?+
This provides an early box-count estimate before the final cabinet schedule assigns exact module sizes.
Are corner cabinets included?+
Not separately. Corners require a detailed layout and may consume more run length than a standard module.
Does the cost include countertops and installation?+
No. It estimates cabinet boxes using the entered average prices.