Measuring for a Kitchen Sink Before You Order

A sink that arrives and does not fit is one of the more expensive mistakes in a kitchen, because the sink is rarely the only thing that has to change. Five measurements prevent it.

1. Internal cabinet width

Measure inside the base unit, between the side panels, not the external width and not the opening in the worktop.

As a general rule the sink’s overall width needs to be at least three inches less than the internal cabinet width, to leave room for the mounting clips and the worktop cut-out edge.

A 30-inch base unit therefore takes roughly a 27-inch sink. This catches people out constantly.

2. Front-to-back depth

Measure from the front edge of the worktop to the wall, then subtract the space taken by the tap and any backsplash upstand. What remains is the depth available for the sink.

Standard worktops are 25 inches deep and most sinks need 20 to 22 inches of that.

3. Bowl depth versus what is underneath

A deep bowl is desirable and it eats the cupboard beneath. Measure from the underside of the worktop down to the top of anything fixed below — a waste pipe, a shelf, a water filter.

A 10-inch bowl with a waste trap under it needs roughly 14 inches of clear height.

4. Waste position

Existing waste pipework may not line up with a new sink’s outlet, particularly if you are moving from a double bowl to a single or from a centre waste to an offset one.

A flexible waste kit solves most cases; some need the pipework moving, which is a plumber’s job. Work this out before ordering, not on the day.

5. Tap hole configuration

Sinks come with none, one, two or three tap holes. A sink with no holes needs a worktop-mounted tap. A sink with one hole will not take a two-hole tap.

If you are keeping the existing tap, count its holes before choosing a sink.

What is in the box

This is where the job stops halfway. Some sinks ship with the faucet, the strainer, the waste kit and the clips; others are the basin alone. Our listings state it explicitly.

Also check whether the template for the worktop cut-out is included. Cutting a worktop by eye is not a recoverable error.

Undermount, drop-in or freestanding

Drop-in sits in a cut-out with a visible rim and is the simplest to fit. Undermount is fixed beneath and requires a solid worktop material and, usually, a professional.

A freestanding utility sink solves the problem entirely by not involving a worktop, which is why they suit garages, laundry rooms and workshops.

Our range is in Sinks and Kitchen Fittings. Send us the cabinet measurements and we will tell you what fits.

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Browse the full range in the shop, read the frequently asked questions, or contact us — Homemaker Plus, Belton, MO.