Skip to main content
MM logo white 1
MM logo red
Image description is not available
Image description is not available

Measuring niche dimensions for a built-in dishwasher: how do you do it?

Bram8 MARCH 2026
A modern kitchen features a dishwasher filled with dishes and glassware, next to gray cabinets. A fruit bowl sits on a white counter.

When you’re choosing a new built-in dishwasher, it’s essential to know the niche dimensions. That way, your new dishwasher will fit seamlessly into your kitchen. In this article, we explain step by step how to measure the dimensions correctly. We also discuss the type of door system and share handy tips for choosing the right dishwasher for an IKEA kitchen.

What are the niche dimensions of a built-in dishwasher?

A beige dishwasher door is open, revealing a rack full of white dishes. On the grey counter, there are plates and silverware.

The niche for a built-in dishwasher is the space under your worktop where the dishwasher will be installed. The size of this space is called the niche dimensions. The niche dimensions determine which dishwasher will fit in your kitchen and whether you might need extra adjustments, such as adding feet to get the dishwasher to the right height. The niche dimensions for a built-in dishwasher consist of 3 measurements:

  1. Niche height
  2. Niche depth
  3. Niche width

All about the dimensions of built-in appliances
White dishwasher next to an open cabinet with a height arrow.

Measure the niche height

The niche height is often the most important measurement when choosing a built-in dishwasher. This measurement determines whether the dishwasher will fit, or whether you’ll need to add feet later. Here’s how to measure the niche height:

  1. Use a tape measure.
  2. Measure from the floor of the niche, which is usually lower than your laminate or tiled floor.
  3. Measure from the floor to the top of the niche.
  4. Write down the niche height in centimetres.

View the best dishwashers
A diagram shows a dishwasher next to a kitchen island with a red arrow indicating a measurement.

Measure the niche depth

The niche depth is the distance from the front to the back of the niche. To measure the depth, follow these steps:

  1. Place the tape measure against the back of the niche.
  2. Keep the tape measure tight and measure straight to the front of the niche.
  3. Write down the measured niche depth.

Diagram of a dishwasher beside a cabinet with a red arrow indicating width of the space.

Measure the niche width

The width of the niche is important for choosing a dishwasher that fits. Most built-in dishwashers are 60 cm wide, but there are also smaller 45 cm models. Measure the niche width as follows:

  1. Stretch the tape measure from one side of the niche to the other.
  2. Make sure the tape measure is tight and level.
  3. Write down the niche width.

Which door system does your built-in dishwasher have?

Diagram shows kitchen units: a dishwasher with arrow indicating height adjustment, and a cabinet.

There are 2 types of door systems for built-in dishwashers: the door-on-door system and the sliding door system. With the door-on-door system, you attach the dishwasher door directly to the kitchen front panel. This system is suitable if the plinth between the floor and the dishwasher is at least 9 cm high. The sliding door system works with a rail system, where the dishwasher door moves along when you open the cabinet panel. This system fits in any kitchen. When replacing a dishwasher, it’s useful to choose one with the same door system.

Door system for your built-in dishwasher

Built-in dishwasher in an IKEA kitchen: what should you look out for?

A hand opens a beige Miele dishwasher below a white countertop. A grey bowl with fruit sits on the counter.

IKEA kitchens have standard niche cabinets with fixed dimensions. So always double-check whether the dishwasher you’ve chosen will fit in your IKEA kitchen by using the dishwasher product drawings (such as for a Whirlpool built-in dishwasher or Siemens built-in dishwasher) and by measuring your kitchen dimensions accurately. Only fully built-in dishwashers fit in an IKEA kitchen, with the control panel on the inside.

Our installation service for your dishwasher

A stainless steel dishwasher stands open, its racks visible. A tool lies on the open door. Behind, cabinets and a kettle are seen.

Make things easy for yourself by using our installation service. Our experts will install the built-in dishwasher for you and take away your old appliance. You can select this service when ordering your dishwasher, but please note that it does not apply to Marketplace appliances.

More about our services

Our advice for measuring niche dimensions for a built-in dishwasher

An open, dark-grey dishwasher is built into dark-grey kitchen cabinets under a light countertop.

It’s crucial to measure the niche dimensions properly, so you can be sure which dishwasher will and won’t fit in your kitchen. Measure the niche height, niche depth and niche width carefully. Dishwashers that are lower than the niche height can still be fitted properly into the niche using feet. Also, don’t forget to check the door system, so you can be sure your dishwasher will function correctly. Learn how to do this for your built-in fridge, built-in oven, built-in hob and built-in freezer.

Choose the dishwasher that suits you

These articles might be interesting for you