Measuring for a refrigerator, and why one inch matters
Measuring for a refrigerator decides what fits: a 30 by 67 inch opening takes 728 certified full-size models; one inch less height leaves 362. Measure carefully, then enter your figures and gap.
Example for a 30 × 67 inch opening — change any figure to see your own result
Certified models that fit
281
of 2,700 certified full-size refrigerators, every width up to yours
| Every width that fits | 281 in all: 103 are 28 inch, 172 are narrower, 6 are wider than 28.5 in |
| Typical capacity (the middle model) | 11.6 cubic feet |
| Typical energy use | 310 kWh a year |
| Typical running cost at the U.S. average price | $56 a year |
| Lowest use at about 28 inches wide | 204 kWh (ELEMENT EUF14CE**, 28 in wide) |
kWh (kilowatt-hour) is the unit on your power bill. The ENERGY STAR list gives no depth for refrigerators: check the depth, door swing and hinge clearance on the model’s own sheet.
| Model | Width × height | Capacity | kWh a year | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood's WFF180B (4 versions, same size and use) | 29 in × 66 in | 18.2 cu ft | 366 | $66 |
| Frigidaire FFHT1820V* | 28 in × 65.90 in | 18.0 cu ft | 368 | $67 |
| Frigidaire FFHT1820V*, ice maker | 28 in × 65.90 in | 18.0 cu ft | 452 | $82 |
| LG LT18S1100* (4 versions, same size and use) | 27.50 in × 65 in | 17.5 cu ft | 344 | $62 |
| LG LT18S1200*, ice maker | 27.50 in × 65 in | 17.5 cu ft | 440 | $80 |
Compiled by Radif Partners · How the figures are built
To measure for a refrigerator, take three dimensions of the opening and three of the way in. In the kitchen: the width at the narrowest point, the height from the floor to the underside of the cabinet above, and the depth from the wall to the front edge of the counter. On the delivery path: the narrowest door, the tightest turn and any stair or elevator. Small errors cost a lot of choice. On the ENERGY STAR list of November 12, 2026, a 30 by 67 inch opening takes 728 full-size certified models. Half an inch less width leaves 486. One inch less height leaves 362, while one inch more allows 840. The installation guide of each model asks for a gap at the sides, top and back for air and for the doors. With one inch taken off both width and height, the same opening takes 281 models. The tool above lets you enter that gap as an optional field. The list gives no refrigerator depth, so depth is a check you make on the model sheet.
Measuring for a refrigerator, step by step
Use a metal tape and write the figures to the eighth of an inch. A refrigerator listed at 29.75 inches fits a 30 inch opening; at 30.1 inches it does not.
Width. Measure from wall to wall or cabinet side to cabinet side at three heights: near the floor, at counter height and near the top. Keep the smallest. Baseboards, trim and a counter that overhangs into the space are the usual culprits.
Height. Measure from the floor to the underside of the cabinet or soffit above, at the front and at the back. If you are installing new flooring, measure from the new floor level.
Depth. Measure from the wall behind the refrigerator to the front edge of the countertop, then to the front of the cabinet doors beside it. Note where the outlet and the water valve sit: a plug or a valve behind the refrigerator takes depth too.
Door swing. If a side of the refrigerator is against a wall, the door must open past 90 degrees for the drawers to slide out. Measure from the opening to the wall, then compare with the clearance on the model sheet.
The way in: doors, halls and stairs
Most failed deliveries fail before the kitchen. Measure every door on the path, with the door open, from the stop to the frame; measure the width of halls and any turn; on stairs, measure the headroom. Compare with the depth of the refrigerator without doors and its height, because it travels upright on a dolly. Removing a door from its hinges usually gains an inch or two.
Try your measurements with a gap
Example for a 30 × 67 inch opening — change any figure to see your own result
Certified models that fit
281
of 2,700 certified full-size refrigerators, every width up to yours
| Every width that fits | 281 in all: 103 are 28 inch, 172 are narrower, 6 are wider than 28.5 in |
| Typical capacity (the middle model) | 11.6 cubic feet |
| Typical energy use | 310 kWh a year |
| Typical running cost at the U.S. average price | $56 a year |
How one inch changes the choice
The table shows what an inch does on the certified list. Every line is a count of real full-size models that fit at most that width and height.
| Opening | Models that fit |
|---|---|
| 29 × 66 inches | 281 |
| 29.5 × 67 inches | 486 |
| 30 × 66 inches | 362 |
| 30 × 67 inches | 728 |
| 30 × 68 inches | 840 |
| 33 × 68 inches | 994 |
| 36 × 70 inches | 1,653 |
Height is the most sensitive figure for 30 inch openings, because many models are built between 66 and 68 inches. If your cabinet above can be raised or removed, the gain is often larger than any change in width. When you have your numbers, the width pages list the models of each class: 30 inch, 33 inch and 36 inch, and the counter-depth page for a shallow fit.