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Kitchen layout planner

Enter the three work-triangle legs, the aisle width, how many people cook, and the space behind any seating.

A kitchen layout planner checks your plan against the NKBA kitchen planning guidelines. The work triangle between sink, cooktop and refrigerator should total no more than 26 ft, with each leg 4 to 9 ft. A work aisle should be 42 in for one cook and 48 in for more than one.

These are design recommendations, not code.

Check your kitchen layout

Triangle legs in feet, clearances in inches. Nothing is stored or emailed.

0 if there is no seating.

— Work triangle
— Work aisle
— Seating clearance

What this assumed —

NKBA recommendations, not building code.

The NKBA figures the kitchen layout planner checks

The kitchen layout planner checks four NKBA recommendations. They are design guidance, not building code.

GuidelineRecommendedHow it is measured
3. Work triangleTotal no more than 26 ft; each leg 4 to 9 ftCenter-front of the sink, cooking surface and refrigerator. No leg crosses an island by more than 12 in.
6. Work aisle42 in for one cook; 48 in for more than oneBetween counter fronts, tall cabinets and appliances
7. Walkway36 inA path with no work counter
8. Seating32 in with no traffic behind; 36 in to edge past; 44 in to walk pastCounter or table edge to the wall or obstruction behind

NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines, excerpt published by the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Each guideline adds: “State or local codes may apply.”

Worked example

An island kitchen for two cooks

Triangle

Sink to cooktop 6 ft, cooktop to refrigerator 7 ft, refrigerator to sink 10 ft: 23 ft in total, within 26 ft. But the 10 ft leg is over 9 ft.

Aisle and seating

A 44 in aisle meets the one-cook figure but is 4 in short of 48 in for two cooks. Stools with people walking behind need 44 in.

Counter space beside the sink and cooktop

NKBA also recommends landing space beside each work center. Guideline 11 asks for 24 in on one side of the sink and 18 in on the other. Guideline 17 asks for 12 in on one side of a cooking surface and 15 in on the other.

The planner does not check these. Mark them on your drawing. See kitchen work triangle for how the three centers relate.

Kitchen work that does need a permit

Moving a sink, range or wall is regulated work. Plumbing, gas, electrical and structural changes usually need a permit, and a load-bearing wall may need an engineer. Have a licensed pro and your building department confirm. See permits and approvals.

What the kitchen layout planner leaves out

The kitchen layout planner checks distances, not a design. Storage, appliance door swings and accessibility need a full plan. See kitchen remodeling and kitchen island installation.

To price the room, use the kitchen remodel cost calculator, or plan your remodel with us.

Questions this calculator answers

What is the kitchen work triangle rule?
NKBA Guideline 3: the three legs between sink, cooking surface and refrigerator total no more than 26 ft, and each leg is 4 to 9 ft.
How wide should a kitchen aisle be?
NKBA recommends at least 42 in for one cook and 48 in for more than one, measured between counters, tall cabinets and appliances.
How much space do you need behind bar stools?
NKBA recommends 32 in with no traffic behind, 36 in for someone to edge past, and 44 in to walk past.
Are NKBA guidelines building code?
No. They are recommendations from the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Your building code governs plumbing, gas, electrical and structure.

Sources and methodology

Figures dated October 22, 2026. Last reviewed .

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