Ventilation Hood Size Guide and Dimensions for Your Kitchen

September 28, 2022April 5, 2023 by Thomas Vandepitte

A kitchen hood vent is an exhaust hood used to remove an area’s hazards or unwanted contaminants (i.e., heat, fumes, and dust). You should position the hood vent directly above the area where it will release the unwanted strong odors, such as above an oven used to boil a liquid requiring steam venting (skip straight to the ventilation hood size guide).

The defining characteristic of a powerful range hood is that it contains a cabinet hood to move cooking odors outside the environment in which the strong odor is generated in the cooking space.

Common type appliances vary more in appearance than range hood. There are eye-catching wall mount range hoods. The other type of range hood is the traditional under-cabinet model with a slim profile. Oh, and there’s the “blink, and you’ll miss it” built-in insert kitchen range hood, which fits right into cabinet space for an understated look.

Ventilation Hood Size Guide and Dimensions for Your Kitchen size-charts.com — _{Image Source: Whirlpool}

What’s the ideal Ventilation hood size?

The ideal range hood styles for your space should match the cooking surface’s width to ensure it effectively catches smoke and odors from the dishes cooking below for proper ventilation and powerful ventilation. The Kitchen or exhaust hood must also be installed on the correct height above the cooking surface, to avoid injuries or fire and optimizes the airflow capacity.
The hood vent is a barrier to people inhaling strong odors, thus acting as a toxic airflow reducer. Most ranges and vent hoods are available in different common dimensions. Luckily, we’ve assembled a comprehensive size chart that will tell you the correct size of the vent hood for your kitchen space.

Jump right into the Frequently Asked Questions

Ventilation Hood Dimensions Table of Content

What are the types of range hoods?
How to choose the right ventilation hood size?
How to measure your ventilation hood size
Frequently Asked Questions

What are the types of range hoods and their dimensions?

Range Hood Inserts

Range hood inserts are designed to be used in your custom hood. Hood inserts are usually hidden, built into highly customized cabinets above the cooktop or stovetop.

	Height		Width
Size	Inches	CM	Inches	CM
Small	24	60.96	30	76.2
Medium	42	106.68	36	91.44
Large	60	152.4	42	106.68

Island range hoods

Island range hoods are a beautiful centerpiece for any kitchen space. Unlike wall-mounted range hoods, we do not mount island hoods against a wall. Because of this, and all the additional air movement kitchen islands experience, they require more CFM to maximize their efficiency and filter as much unwanted air from your kitchen as possible.

	Height		Width
Size	Inches	CM	Inches	CM
Small	28	72	30	76.2
Medium	28	72	33	83.8
Large	28	72	36	91.4

Under-cabinet hoods

Under-cabinet range hoods are ideal for people who have cabinet storage or cupboards above their cooktop. There is extra cabinet storage and room for upgrading your kitchen ventilation fans if you switch out an over-the-range {OTR} microwave with a professional range hood.

	Height		Width
Size	Inches	CM	Inches	CM
Small	24	60.96	30	76.2
Medium	27	68.58	33	83.82
Large	30	76.2	36	91.44

Professional-grade hoods

Proline is one company that offers a professional grade hood, mostly for avid cooks. We know professional-grade hoods for their accuracy and efficiency hoods. For professional series, we recommend a hood when there is a need for a powerful fan with lots of control of keeping toxins and harsh smells out of the kitchen.

	Height		Width
Size	Inches	CM	Inches	CM
Small	24	60.96	12	30.48
Medium	24	60.96	24	60.96
Large	24	60.96	36	91.44

Wall-mounted hood

	Height		Width
Size	Inches	CM	Inches	CM
Small	9.875	25.1	24	60.96
Medium	9.875	25.1	30	76.2
Large	9.875	25.1	36	91.4

All mounted hoods are the most common type of stove hoods. These vent hood types are mounted securely against a wall in the kitchen. Ideally, mount your wall range hood about 28″-36” between the bottom of the hood and the stove cooking surface to capture the most cooking fumes and prolong your range hood’s life.

How to choose the right ventilation hood size?

Before shopping for a new or replacement kitchen hood vent, note the size, shape, and mounting style. The new hood should be at least as wide as the range or cooktop if not three inches wider on each side. 30 and 36 inches are the most popular widths. Install a hood 20 to 24 inches away from an electric cooktop and 24 to 30 inches away from a gas cooktop for best results. For the proper installation height, always read the specifications.

Under Cabinet Range Ventilation Hood Size in your kitchen design

Learn more about how to choose the right size ventilation hood (video)

_{Vent Hood Buying Guide: What You Need To Know by Abt Electronics}

How to measure your ventilation hood size

STEP 1: Measure the width of your cooking surface

By starting from one side of the cooktop and running the measuring tape straight across to the opposite side of the cooktop, you can determine the width of your cooking surface. To acquire the most precise measurement, make sure the tape is parallel to the front edge of the cooktop.

STEP 2: Measure the width of the area between the cabinets

Secure the measuring tape on one side of the cabinet cavity above the stove, then extend the tape straight across to the opposite side, keeping it parallel to the cooktop surface.

STEP 3: Measure the height of the space above the cooking surface

Secure the measuring tape at the base of the cabinets or the ceiling above the stovetop, then extend the tape straight down until it reaches the cooktop surface. Keep in mind that the distance between the bottom of the range hood and the cooktop surface should be between 24 and 36 inches once installed.

STEP 4: Measure the depth of the cooking surface

Secure one end of the measuring tape at the back end of the cooktop, excluding the control panel and trim, then stretch the measuring tape to the outside border of the stove surface to determine the depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size vent is required for a range hood?

A range hood’s minimum duct size is 4″, which is excellent for range hoods with a CFM of 400 or less. The larger the duct you require, the greater the cubic feet per minute. The minimum duct size for 600 CFM is 6.”

What size hood do I need for a 30-inch range?

A 36-inch hood, for example, is suitable for a 30-inch range. Then deduct 2-inch for 34-inch. So, for a 30-inch range, a 34-inch or larger hood insert is ideal. Choose an insert two sizes larger than your range for outdoor use.

What size hood do I need for a 36-inch range?

It is always ideal to know the exact size of your vent hood before purchase. If you have a 36-inch cooktop, purchase a 42-inch interior hood and a 48-inch outdoor hood.

Should a range hood be wider than the range?

The new hood should be at least as wide as the range or cooktop if not three inches wider on each side. 30 and 36 inches are the most popular widths. Install a hood 20 to 24 inches away from an electric cooktop and 24 to 30 inches away from a gas cooktop for best results.

How many inches above the stove should the ventilation hood be?

The distance between the bottom of the hood and the cooking surface should be between 20″ and 24″ in most installations. Unless otherwise specified, this distance should be between 24″ and 30″ when using a gas range.

Conclusion

Delicious aromas may be an enticing part of good cooking, but moisture, grease, odors, and heat from stove-top food preparation will damage the surrounding areas.

Steam from cooking condenses on windows and walls, and carbon monoxide from gas-range combustion can build up. Mechanical ventilation from a range hood or vent removes stale, odorous steamy air through ducts and eliminates or lessens these problems.

Choose from basic ductless wall-mount units or more-versatile systems with multiple lights, timers, and easy-clean surfaces. Some slim hood designs hide under over-stove cabinets, then slide out for use; others serve as shelves for microwaves with venting fans beneath. Elaborate vent systems integrate a wall-mount microwave conveniently set over the range.

Because a vent functions by capturing air and steam, its hood or canopy should be as wide as the range top. Decorative hoods or canopies dress up a range or cooktop hood in stainless steel, tile, or paneling that matches the cabinetry. Hoods can be semi-custom or custom.

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Picture in this pot is by Sven Brandsma on Unsplash