How to Measure for a Refrigerator
Five measurements that prevent an 8% return rate: cabinet opening, doorway clearance, hinge swing, ventilation gap, and connection point positions.
Refrigerators are returned more often than any other large appliance, 8-12% of online orders come back. Almost always because of a measurement that didn't happen. Five iPhone measurements before you click "order" prevent the entire problem.
Por que medir isto
- Confirm cabinet opening width × depth × height
- Verify the box fits through your front door + corridors
- Check hinge swing clearance for the model's door direction
- Match water/power connection points to the appliance's spec sheet
- Plan ventilation gap for thermal efficiency
O que você precisa
- iPhone with Ruler AR
- Length and Touch Mode (Touch is better for the back-of-cabinet depth)
- The model's spec PDF from the manufacturer's website
Passo a passo
- Cabinet opening (front). Stand facing the gap where the fridge will go. Tap left wall (or cabinet) to right wall for width. Then floor to top of opening for height. Use Touch Mode for higher precision.
- Cabinet opening (back). Tilt the phone into the gap. Tap the back-wall plumbing/electrical against the side wall to measure usable depth. This is where pipes and outlets eat space.
- Door / corridor clearance. Measure your front door clear width and the tightest corridor turn. Compare to the fridge's packed (shipping) dimensions, not just the unpacked size.
- Hinge swing clearance. Note which side the model's door hinges on. Stand at the cabinet, point at the side opposite the hinge, measure clearance to the nearest obstacle. Most fridges need 70-80 cm of swing space.
- Connection points. Photograph the water line and power outlet positions. Use Length mode to measure their height from the floor and distance from the side wall. Match against the spec sheet, pipes that don't reach add a plumber call.
Dicas
- Add 2.5 cm to each dimension for ventilation behind the fridge (compressors need airflow)
- For built-in (integrated) models the cabinet opening must match within 5 mm
- Doors usually need 90+ degrees of swing for shelves to come out, measure beyond just door clearance
Erros comuns
- Measuring fridge dimensions but forgetting the shipping box is bigger
- Not measuring the back depth, pipes behind the cabinet eat usable space
- Choosing wrong hinge side, fridges come in left-hinge or right-hinge models, swap costs extra
Perguntas frequentes
How much extra room does a fridge need for ventilation?
25-50 mm on top and back, 5 mm on the sides for free-standing models. Built-in models follow the manufacturer's specific spec.
Should I measure with the doors open or closed?
Closed for cabinet fit, but check open-door swing separately. The door projecting forward is what blocks neighbouring cabinets.
What if my opening is exactly the fridge's width?
Order the smaller model. "Exactly the fridge's width" gives you zero tolerance for wall imperfections or movement during install. Always have at least 1 cm of margin.