Kitchen island size, and the room around it.
An island is sized by the aisles around it and the people at it. Every number here is from the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s planning guidelines.
The short answer
Keep 42 in (1067 mm) between the island and the counters where one person cooks, 48 in (1219 mm) where two do, and 36 in (914 mm) on sides people only walk past. Give each stool 24 in (610 mm) of edge and the knee space its height needs. Those are NKBA Guidelines 6, 7 and 9; the island’s own size is whatever is left.
Seats along the island
| Seating edge | Stools at 24 in each |
|---|---|
| 48 in 122 cm | 2 |
| 60 in 152 cm | 2 |
| 72 in 183 cm | 3 |
| 84 in 213 cm | 3 |
| 96 in 244 cm | 4 |
| 108 in 274 cm | 4 |
Knee space by counter height
- 30 in · 762 mm (table height)24 in wide × 18 in deep (610 × 457 mm) per diner.
- 36 in · 914 mm (counter height)24 in wide × 15 in deep (610 × 381 mm) per diner.
- 42 in · 1067 mm (bar height)24 in wide × 12 in deep (610 × 305 mm) per diner.
If the island works hard
Sink on the island: plan a continuous 36 × 24 in (914 × 610 mm) prep area right next to it (Guideline 12). Cooktop on the island: at least 12 in (305 mm) of counter on one side and 15 in (381 mm) on the other, and 9 in (229 mm) behind it when the counter behind is the same height (Guideline 17). Work triangle: no leg between sink, cooktop and fridge should cut through the island by more than 12 in (305 mm) (Guideline 3).
A worked example: the flat on our home page
Its island is 1.80 m (71 in) long, 0.95 m (37 in) deep and 0.92 m (36 in) high, a counter-height island, so its stools need 15 in (381 mm) of knee space. Between the island and the kitchen run there is 1.10 m (43 in): enough for one cook (42 in), not for two (48 in). The plan draws 3 stools 0.55 m (22 in) apart; at 24 in (610 mm) each, a 71 in island seats 2, so one stool is a squeeze by the guideline.
Check it at real size
In Floor Plan to Home the island stands in your recreated kitchen at its real size, with the aisles and stools where they will be. See also the furniture clearances guide and the dining table guide.
Islands, answered.
How much space between an island and the counter?
At least 42 in (1067 mm) where one person cooks and 48 in (1219 mm) where two or more do (NKBA Guideline 6). Where people only walk through, 36 in (914 mm) (Guideline 7).
How many stools fit at an island?
One per 24 in (610 mm) of seating edge (NKBA Guideline 9): 2 at 48–71 in, 3 at 72–95 in, 4 at 96 in.
How much overhang for island seating?
Knee space 15 in (381 mm) deep at a 36 in (914 mm) counter, 12 in (305 mm) at a 42 in (1067 mm) bar, 18 in (457 mm) at a 30 in (762 mm) table height (NKBA Guideline 9).
Can a cooktop go on an island?
Yes, with at least 12 in (305 mm) of counter on one side and 15 in (381 mm) on the other, and 9 in (229 mm) behind it if the counter is the same height (NKBA Guideline 17).
- Kitchen Planning Guidelines with Access Standards (National Kitchen & Bath Association) — Guidelines 3, 6, 7, 9, 12 and 17
Checked 2026-10-31. Guidelines change and local building codes always come first; measure your own room and furniture before you buy.