How to Measure for Your
New Countertops
How to Measure for Your New Countertops – www.lesmith.com
Materials Needed When Measuring for
a New Countertop
Calculator
Paper
Pen/Pencil
Tape measure
Measuring Existing Countertops
•
Draw out the layout of your countertops.
Be sure to indicate appliance locations.
•
Measure the length of your countertops
along the wall with your tape measure.
You should never measure the inside
edge. The back wall dimension is
important for us to accurately price and
build your countertops. Along with the
length of your countertops, be sure to
indicate depth and width.
How to Measure for Your New Countertops – www.lesmith.com
When replacing an existing countertop, you
should also determine if your countertop is:




Post form
180
Self edge
Bevel edge
If you have a post form countertop, follow the
instructions below:
1. Measure the dimensions of the existing countertop



Measure the entire length of each section of the countertop along the
back wall.
Measure each additional piece of countertop to the nearest 1/8”.
If your countertop goes into a window opening, indicate this on your
drawing and measure the depth of the window and all measurements
surrounding it.
How to Measure for Your New Countertops – www.lesmith.com
For island bars and tops:
 For islands ,measure both the length and width.
 For bar tops, measure the width and total length from the wall to the
end of the bar top.
2. Measure The Angle
Where two walls meet, you can justify if the angle is actually 90°. Measure
three feet on the wall from the corner and four feet on the other side. Mark
both measurements with a pencil. Measure the distance between the two
points. A perfect 90° wall corner will indicate five feet (60”). If your
measurement is greater than 60 ¼” or less than 59 ¾”, indicate this on your
measurements.
How to Measure for Your New Countertops – www.lesmith.com
If you’re getting new cabinets or have a self edge countertop,
follow the instructions below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Measure the total length of each cabinet segment along the back wall.
You must indicate if and where your stove, sink, and other appliances
will be placed.
Measure the depth of each piece of your cabinet. Make sure to give the
exterior dimension.
Confirm if any angles are a true 90°. Measure the distance between the
two wall points. It should measure about five feet, or 60”.
Illustrate the location of walls and appliances. This is very important,
because if your countertop goes behind your stove or is part of your
stove, you should indicate the stove in your measurements.
How to Measure for Your New Countertops – www.lesmith.com
Finishing Touches:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To provide for clearance of cabinet doors, indicate the type of
cabinetry and countertop form. Also be sure to indicate whether
your countertops will need to be built up.
The exposed ends of the countertops must always be finished.
If you have a bar top, indicate how the bar top ends are to be
shaped.
Note the type of edge you would like for the majority of your
countertops. Your choices are:
 Post Form
 Modern Front
 Euro
 180
 Self Edge
 Gold Cup
 Venetian
 Tuscan
 Bevel Edge
 Wood Edge
To see photos of each type of edge, visit
http://www.lesmith.com/laminate/
How to Measure for Your New Countertops – www.lesmith.com
Tips & Tricks
Vanity Tops
 Measure the length and depth of the cabinet the same way as
for a new kitchen cabinet.
 Determine the finishing of the ends and be sure to note the
location of any walls
Standard Post Form Countertop Depths
Kitchen Countertops: 25 3/8”
Vanities: 22 3/8”
Backsplash Height
4” is standard for Post Form, Modern Front, Self-Edge and Bevel Edge
3” is standard for 180, Euro, Tuscan and Venetian
Reference these styles at www.lesmith.com in the laminate products section
Be sure to indicate on your measure drawing
whether measurements are cabinet or top size.
How to Measure for Your New Countertops – www.lesmith.com