A standard UK kitchen worktop is 600mm deep, 38mm thick and sits about 900 to 910mm from the floor. Laminate worktops come in 3m and 4.1m lengths, and breakfast bars from 665mm to 900mm deep. Those numbers suit most kitchens, but slim 20mm tops, island seating and taller cooks all change the maths. This guide gives you every standard size in one place, with tables you can check against your own plan.
Key takeaways- Standard height: about 900 to 910mm, built from a 150mm plinth, 720mm unit and 38 to 40mm top.
- Standard depth: 600mm, giving a 10mm overhang on 600mm units.
- Lengths: order the next size up from your longest run.
- Breakfast bars: 900mm deep leaves about 300mm of knee space.
Standard kitchen worktop height in the UK
There is no legal standard, but most UK kitchens finish at about 900mm. EGGER’s product team notes there’s no fixed legal standard for worktop height in the UK, and the most common height is around 900mm.
The figure comes from three parts stacked together. Kitchinsider breaks it down as a 150mm plinth, a 720mm base cabinet and a 40mm worktop, for 910mm in total.
| Worktop | Thickness | Height on 720mm unit and 150mm plinth |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate postformed or square edge | 38mm | About 908mm |
| Slim laminate square edge | 22mm | About 892mm |
| Slim laminate square edge | 20mm | About 890mm |
| Compact laminate | 12mm | About 882mm |
Standard kitchen worktop depth
The standard worktop depth is 600mm. Base unit carcases are about 560 to 570mm deep, plus a door of around 20mm, so a 600mm top leaves a small overhang at the front.
Wickes works with standard 600mm deep units and a 10mm front overhang. Deeper tops of 620mm, 640mm and 650mm give more overhang or cover deeper units.
| Depth | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 600mm | Standard run on 600mm units |
| 620mm | Slim 22mm square edge ranges, or a bigger overhang |
| 640mm | Duropal 20mm square edge, deeper units |
| 650mm | Compact 12mm laminate |
| 665 to 670mm | Narrow breakfast bar or peninsula |
| 900mm | Breakfast bar or island with seating |
| 950mm | Compact laminate breakfast bar |
Worktop lengths: how much to order
Laminate worktops come in two main lengths: 3m (some ranges 3.05m) and 4.1m. Order the next length up from each run, and join lengths for runs longer than 4.1m.
| Your run | Order | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2.9m | 1 x 3m | Leaves room to trim both ends |
| 2.9m to 4m | 1 x 4.1m | One length, no joint |
| 4m to 6m | 1 x 4.1m + 1 x 3m | One joint, placed away from the sink |
| L-shape, 3m + 2.5m | 1 x 3m + 1 x 3m | The corner overlap uses about 600mm of one length |
| L-shape, 4m + 3m | 1 x 4.1m + 1 x 4.1m | Allow for the mitre or strip overlap |
J“Always add the corner overlap. On an L-shape, one worktop runs through the corner, so the other is 600mm shorter than the wall. People forget that, and it decides whether you need a 3m or a 4.1m.”James, founder, Laminate Worktops
Worktop thickness: 38mm, 22mm or 20mm?
38mm is the UK standard and suits every kitchen. 20 and 22mm square edge tops give a slimmer, more modern line and suit handleless doors.
- 38mm postformed: rounded front edge, classic look, the widest colour choice.
- 38mm square edge: crisp edge with a matching edging strip.
- 22mm square edge: slim profile in Kronospan Finesse colours.
- 20mm square edge: slim Duropal tops, 640mm deep.
- 12mm compact: solid all the way through, so it takes an undermount sink.
See every thickness side by side on our laminate worktops page, or browse the marble effect range.
Breakfast bar sizes and knee space
A breakfast bar needs about 300mm of overhang for your knees. On 600mm units, a 900mm deep top gives exactly that.
DIY Kitchens gives the same figure, suggesting an overhang of around 300mm to get your legs under a worktop. For overhangs over 300mm, add support legs or brackets.
Upstand and splashback sizes
| Item | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Upstand (Kronospan Finesse) | 4100 x 100 x 20mm | Matches the worktop decor |
| Upstand (Duropal) | 4100 x 120 x 19mm | Matches the worktop decor |
| Splashback (Kronospan Finesse) | 4100 x 640 x 10mm | Some decors double-sided |
| Splashback (Duropal) | 4100 x 640mm | Full height behind hob or sink |
Measure from the worktop to the underside of the extractor or wall unit before choosing a splashback height. Most kitchens need 450 to 600mm.
Quick reference: all standard sizes
| Measurement | Standard | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop height | 900 to 910mm | About 880 to 950mm |
| Base unit height | 720mm | 720 to 870mm with legs |
| Plinth | 150mm | 100 to 200mm |
| Worktop depth | 600mm | 600 to 650mm |
| Breakfast bar depth | 900mm | 665 to 950mm |
| Worktop length | 3m and 4.1m | 3m, 3.05m, 4.1m |
| Worktop thickness | 38mm | 12 to 38mm |
Final thoughts
Plan around 600mm deep, about 910mm high and the next length up. Then decide on thickness for looks and a 900mm bar if you want seating. If a size you need isn’t priced online, add it to a quote and we’ll price it for you.
Found your size?Every worktop page shows the sizes in stock with prices, plus matching breakfast bars, upstands and splashbacks.Shop by size
