What size sink fits in a 36 inch cabinet?
A 36 inch sink base cabinet refers to the width of the cabinet from left to right. It does not refer to depth or height.
- Width: 36 inches
- Standard depth: about 24 inches
- Standard height: about 34.5 inches before countertop, with a countertop it’s 36″
The width is the key number for choosing a sink. With custom cabinets, width and height can be chosen in various increments.
This cabinet with 2 doors and one false front can be ordered with a width of 18″ to 48″. If the designer needed a 36″ cabinet width, then you would choose a 33″ sink.
Here are some of the sink base cabinets we recommend for function and style.
What size sink works?
Most professional plumbing and home renovation sources say that a 36 inch base cabinet typically fits a sink up to 33 inches wide.
This is consistent across nearly all manufacturer specs.
For more detailed measurements you can refer to BLANCO’s kitchen sink measurement guide.
Why not a full 36 inch sink?
Even though the cabinet measures 36 inches wide, the interior is narrower because of:
- cabinet sides
- mounting hardware
- room needed for clips or undermount brackets
- plumbing clearences
A sink needs clearance on the left and right sides, which is why the “minus 3 inches” rule exists.
Our Recommendation
For a 36 inch base cabinet, choose a sink:
Maximum 33 inches wide
Fits undermount or drop-in, depending on your preference
Check the product spec sheet for minimum cabinet size before ordering
