Before purchasing a new fridge, of course, you’ll need to make sure it fits in your home and has enough interior space to meet your household’s needs. Since both can vary widely across styles and models, it’s worth investigating the dimensions of your potential new fridge to ensure you’re making the right choice.

In this fridge capacity guide, we break down everything you need to know—from how to choose a refrigerator size that fits your space to tips for measuring your kitchen for the right fit.

Refrigerator Size Guide: Exterior Dimensions and Interior Capacity

When comparing refrigerator sizes, it’s easy to get confused by the numbers. A fridge with a massive bottom freezer might seem appealing on the showroom floor, but could fall short on the inner space you need for weekly groceries. To get the full picture when shopping for a new refrigerator, you need to evaluate both the exterior and interior.

Exterior Dimensions: Refrigerator Width, Height, and Depth

These three exterior measurements tell you whether a fridge will physically fit into your kitchen cutout and slide past your cabinets:

• Width: The measurement from left to right across the front of the fridge. Side-by-side models typically have the widest face among freestanding refrigerators, ranging from 33 to 36 inches.
• Height: Measured from the floor to the top of the fridge cabinet or top door hinge. Plan to leave at least one inch of vertical space above the unit for ventilation.
• Depth: The measurement from the back of the fridge to the front of the door or handle. Standard refrigerators are usually around 30 to 36 inches deep and, depending on your counters, may protrude by up to 10 inches. Leave at least 1 inch of space behind the fridge for airflow.

Interior Capacity: Volume in Cubic Feet

Interior capacity tells you how much food your fridge can hold and is measured in cubic feet. But keep in mind that the total includes both the refrigerator and freezer compartments. A 20-cubic-foot fridge, for example, might have 14 cubic feet for fresh food and 6 cubic feet for frozen food.

When comparing models, look at both the total capacity and how that space is divided. If you buy more fresh food, you may want more refrigerator space. If your freezer is always packed, a larger freezer compartment may be more useful.

What Is the Standard Size of a Refrigerator?

While the average cubic feet of a refrigerator can vary quite a bit depending on the style and model you choose. In general, the four most common refrigerator styles fall within these approximate widths:

• Top-freezer refrigerator: 24–33 inches wide
• Bottom-freezer refrigerator: 24–33 inches wide
• Side-by-side refrigerator: 30–36 inches wide
• French-door refrigerator: 29–36 inches wide

Across styles, standard refrigerators generally range from about 24 to 40 inches wide, 61 to 72 inches tall, and 28 to 37 inches deep. These are helpful starting points, but always check the dimensions of the specific model you’re considering before you buy.

Need More Room for Groceries? Shop Rent-A-Center

With a wide range of models and flexible payment options, Rent-A-Center makes it easy to fit large appliance upgrades into your monthly budget. Whether you need more everyday fridge space or extra room for frozen foods, find a rent-to-own option that fits your home and household at Rent-A-Center today!

Refrigerators | Freezers | Appliances

How Many Cubic Feet Do You Need in a Refrigerator?

To figure out your ideal interior fridge capacity, a good rule of thumb is to allow 4 to 6 cubic feet of capacity per adult in your home, plus extra room for party platters or holiday hosting. Here are a few other factors to consider:

Household Size

• For ​​1 to 2 People: A compact or standard top-freezer unit with 12 to 16 cubic feet offers plenty of room without taking over smaller kitchens.
• 3 to 4 People: Look for a mid-sized model offering 18 to 25 cubic feet of total capacity.
• 5+ People or Growing Families: You’ll want a spacious side-by-side refrigerator or French-door refrigerator with 25+ cubic feet of usable storage.

Grocery & Cooking Habits

Do you cook fresh dinners most nights, or do you rely on quick frozen meals? If you stock up on fresh veggies, lots of cold beverages, and wide deli trays, the wider shelves in a French-door unit might be best. If you keep tons of frozen dinners ready to go, a bottom-freezer refrigerator offers plenty of accessible freezer space, or a side-by-side layout offers stacked freezer shelves for easy organization.

Bulk Shopping & Frozen Food Storage

Buying in bulk at wholesale clubs is a smart way to save money on food, but it requires some serious fridge real estate! If you store things like large drink cases or massive tubs of yogurt, lean toward the higher cubic footage (25+ cu. ft.) of a side-by-side or French-door fridge.

If your kitchen fridge space is limited but you love buying frozen food in bulk, consider a dedicated deep freezer in your garage or basement to free up space in the fridge. Rent-A-Center offers a variety of rent-to-own freezers to fit your needs.

How to Measure the Space for Your Fridge Before You Buy

There’s nothing more frustrating than getting a brand-new appliance delivered, only to realize it doesn’t fit through your front door. Before deciding on a fridge, review our guide on measuring furniture and appliances and follow this step-by-step checklist to measure the space correctly:

1. Measure Width. Measure the width of your cabinet cutout at three points: top, middle, and bottom. Use the narrowest measurement to ensure a smooth fit.
2. Measure Height and Depth. Measure from the floor to the bottom of any upper cabinets at both the front and back of the space. Then, measure from the back wall to the front edge of your counters.
3. Leave Room for Ventilation. Refrigerators need air circulation so they don’t overheat or run up your electric bill. Leave at least 1 inch of space above, 1/2 inch on the sides, and 1 to 2 inches behind the unit for proper airflow. Since fridges run 24/7, be sure to understand your refrigerator’s energy label to see how efficient it is and help keep energy bills low.
4. Check Door Swings and Clearance. Avoid fridge doors opening and hitting island countertops or adjacent walls. Pay attention to how far the door swings open and leave about 2 inches of side clearance for hinge operation.
5. Map Out the Delivery Path. Measure every doorway, hallway, stairwell, and any other entry point along the route from the delivery truck to your kitchen to avoid headaches on delivery day and ensure your new fridge fits as intended.

Find the Perfect Fridge to Fit Your Kitchen at Rent-A-Center

The right refrigerator should have more than enough room for the groceries and favorites your household reaches for every week. Your local Rent-A-Center offers rent-to-own refrigerators in a range of sizes, capacities, and styles, so you can find a model that fits your kitchen and your household.