When you have many mouths to feed (or just several very hungry family members), not having enough refrigerator storage is a major inconvenience. For reference, each adult needs approximately 4 to 6 cubic feet of refrigerator space. That said, industry experts assess that a typical family of four needs at least 20 cubic feet of capacity to house a healthy amount of groceries. These factors and more are what you need to consider before choosing your refrigerator size.
Refrigerator Sizes by Capacity The rule of thumb is that each adult in your home needs 4 to 6 cubic feet of refrigerator space. Depending on the size of your household, you’ll need: 1 to 2 people: 4–13 cubic feet. 3 to 4 people: 14–24 cubic feet.
Standard Refrigerator Sizes by Type
Along with accounting for refrigerator capacity, it is important to account for refrigerator dimensions as they pertain to your kitchen space.
Here are standard refrigerator sizes across our four most popular configurations:
- Width: From 29-1/2 to 36 inches
- Height: From 67 to 70-1/8 inches
- Depth: From 29-3/8 to 34-5/8 inches
Best Refrigerator for 1 to 2 People
Top-freezer refrigerators and bottom-freezer refrigerators entail a larger fridge compartment with a smaller freezer, making it the perfect style refrigerator for families of 1 to 2 people. These refrigerator types remain popular not only for their tried-and-true configurations but also by virtue of its affordability; however, it should be noted that top- and bottom-freezer refrigerators do not offer as much storage space as French-door or side-by-side refrigerators, which is why they are mostly recommended for smaller families or households of one.
➥ Product Suggestion: The affordably priced Whirlpool 12.7 Cu. Ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator (WRB543CMJZ) helps you make the most of every inch, thanks to the adjustable hide-away shelf, Drink Loft™ overhead storage, and flexible sliding bins that keep items organized and easy to access. In terms of nice-to-have features, this bottom-freezer refrigerator offers an Auto Hibernate mode that ensures your appliance operates efficiently while you’re away, and a Fast Drink freezer option that chills drinks fast and then reminds you after 30 minutes so you can grab your cooled beverage.
The need for a small refrigerator doesnt limit you in terms of options! There are plenty of stylish and efficient refrigerator options available for small spaces or small households. Check out some of our favorite options!
How big is a 20 cubic foot refrigerator?
FAQ
Is 22 cu ft fridge big enough?
Is 20 cubic feet a good size fridge?
What is a normal size fridge cubic feet?
What is the average large fridge size?
How many cubic feet can a refrigerator go?
Refrigerator capacity is measured in cubic feet. Refrigerators for home use may be less than 10 cubic feet for a compact-sized model. On the high end, some French door refrigerators can go up to 34 cubic feet. Any refrigerator for sale will be advertised as having a certain cubic-foot capacity.
How much refrigerator space do you need for a family?
The total refrigerator capacity size you need is 4 to 6 cubic feet per person. For a family of 2, you will need between 8 and 12 cubic feet of refrigerator space. For a family of 4, you will need between 16 and 24 cubic feet of refrigerator space. For a family of 6, you will need over 30 cubic feet of fridge capacity.
What is the average size of a refrigerator?
Although the average size of a refrigerator varies depending on the type of fridge (bottom freezer, top freezer, French door or side-by-side), standard refrigerator dimensions range from 28¾ to 39¾ inches wide, 61¾ to 71¼ inches tall and 28¾ to 34⅝ inches deep, with depth extending to 45 inches with the refrigerator door fully ajar.
How many cubic feet is a side by side refrigerator?
For example, a 22 cubic foot side by side refrigerator might have 14.5 cubic feet of space in the fresh food section and 7.5 cubic feet of space in the freezer section. How many cubic feet of capacity do you need for your household? This depends a lot on your shopping and cooking habits.