Microwave base cabinets come 24 or 30 inches wide. At Lily Ann Cabinets both are 34-1/2 inches tall and 24 inches deep, with one drawer under the microwave space, so they line up with the other base cabinets. The 30-inch cabinet has a 27-inch-wide opening; plan for 17 inches of height. Most countertop microwaves are 18 to 24 inches wide and 10 to 14 inches tall, so most fit the 30-inch size; check your model's clearance first.
- Two widths: 24 and 30 inches. Lily Ann's are 34-1/2" tall and 24" deep with one drawer, 36" tall once a 1-1/2" countertop is on.
- The opening: 27" wide on the 30-inch cabinet. Plan for 17" tall; a few listings say 20".
- Most microwaves fit the 30-inch: countertop models run 18–24" wide and 10–14" tall (Midea).
- Measure with clearance: Midea says most models need 3" on the sides and back, so a 27" opening fits up to about a 21"-wide microwave.
- 24-inch microwave in a 24-inch cabinet? Not a countertop one. Microwave drawers are the exception: they follow their own cutout sizes.
- Lily Ann Cabinets sells microwave base cabinets in 17 colors, 12 in both sizes, plus door kits to close the opening later (stock checked September 24, 2026).
A microwave base cabinet gets the microwave off your counter and tucks it under it instead. It's one of the simplest ways to free up counter space, and it keeps the microwave at a height most people can reach without lifting anything hot down from above their head.
This guide covers the sizes that matter before you order one: the cabinet's width, height and depth, the size of the opening the microwave sits in, how to measure your microwave, the difference between a 24-inch and a 30-inch cabinet, and which microwaves fit. For ideas on where else a microwave can go, see our microwave cabinet ideas. If you're still deciding between a built-in and a countertop model, start with built-in vs. freestanding microwave cabinets.
What Is a Microwave Base Cabinet?
A microwave base cabinet is a lower kitchen cabinet with an open space at the top for a microwave and a drawer underneath. It is the same height and depth as the base cabinets beside it, so the countertop runs straight over it. The microwave sits just below the counter, at about waist height.
Most are 24 or 30 inches wide. There are no doors over the microwave space, so the microwave's front stays visible and its door opens normally. The drawer below is handy for microwave-safe dishes, lids and wraps.
Microwave Base Cabinet Dimensions
At Lily Ann Cabinets, every microwave base cabinet is 34-1/2 inches tall and 24 inches deep, the same as its other base cabinets, and comes 24 or 30 inches wide with one drawer. The 30-inch cabinet lists a 27-inch-wide opening for the microwave. Add a standard 1-1/2-inch countertop and the finished height is 36 inches.
| Size | Width | Height (no countertop) | Depth | Microwave opening | Drawer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24-inch (MB24) | 24" | 34-1/2" | 24" | Not listed on the product pages. Narrower than 24" (see below) | 1 |
| 30-inch (MB30) | 30" | 34-1/2" | 24" | 27" wide. Most listings say 17" tall; a few say 20" | 1 |
Sizes read from the live Lily Ann product pages on September 24, 2026.
A note on the opening height. Most Lily Ann 30-inch listings, and the drawing above, give the opening as 27 inches wide by 17 inches tall. A few listings say 20 inches tall, and some list both numbers on the same page. Until that is cleared up, plan for 17 inches. A microwave that fits 17 inches will also fit a taller opening, but not the other way around. If your microwave is taller than 17 inches, ask Lily Ann to confirm the opening before you order.
The 24-inch cabinet's product pages don't list its opening. Because the cabinet's sides and front frame take up part of its 24-inch width, the opening has to be narrower than 24 inches. Check with Lily Ann if your microwave is close to that width.
For how these sizes fit with the rest of your kitchen, see our kitchen cabinet dimensions guide and our guide to standard kitchen counter height.
24-Inch vs. 30-Inch Microwave Base Cabinet
Choose the 30-inch cabinet for most countertop microwaves, because its 27-inch-wide opening fits most common sizes once you allow for clearance. Choose the 24-inch cabinet when space in your cabinet run is tight and your microwave is small. If you are buying a microwave drawer, match the cabinet to the drawer: 24-inch drawers go in 24-inch cabinets and 30-inch drawers in 30-inch cabinets.
| Â | 24-inch | 30-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Tight spaces, compact microwaves | Most countertop microwaves, a wider built-in look |
| Opening width | Less than 24" (not listed) | 27" |
| Takes from your cabinet run | 24" | 30" |
| Microwave drawer that matches | 24-inch drawer | 30-inch drawer |
| Lily Ann colors in stock (Sept 24, 2026) | 12 lines | 17 lines |
A typical countertop microwave is 18 to 24 inches wide and 10 to 14 inches tall, according to appliance maker Midea's sizing guide. That puts most of them well inside a 27-inch by 17-inch opening. Larger models are the ones to measure carefully.
How to Measure Your Microwave for a Base Cabinet
Measure the microwave's width, height and depth at the widest points, including the handle and feet. Then add the clearance its manual asks for on the sides, top and back, and compare the total with the cabinet opening. Also check that the manual allows the microwave to be used inside a cabinet at all.
- Width: measure side to side at the widest point, including any handle.
- Height: measure from the bottom of the feet to the top of the case.
- Depth: measure from the back of the case to the front of the handle or door. Lily Ann base cabinets are 24 inches deep, and Midea puts most countertop microwaves at 14 to 20 inches deep, so depth is rarely the problem. Leave room at the back for the plug.
- Clearance: look up the spacing your microwave's manual asks for. Midea's guide says most models need at least 3 inches on the sides and back. With 3 inches on each side, a 27-inch-wide opening fits a microwave up to about 21 inches wide.
- Cabinet use: some countertop microwaves are not meant to be closed in. Check the manual, or look for a matching trim kit, which is made for built-in use.
- Power: plan where the outlet will be before the cabinet goes in, so you can reach the plug. An electrician can tell you what your local code needs.
Our step-by-step guide on how to measure kitchen cabinets shows how to measure the space in your kitchen itself.
What Fits in a Microwave Base Cabinet, and What Doesn't
| Microwave type | Fits a microwave base cabinet? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Countertop microwave | Yes, if it fits the opening | Width, height and depth plus the manual's clearances |
| Built-in microwave with a trim kit | Often | The trim kit's cutout size. Trim kits come in set widths; see our built-in guide |
| Microwave drawer | Needs a cabinet built for its cutout | The drawer's own cutout size and front clearance (below) |
| Over-the-range microwave | No | These mount above the range and vent the cooktop |
A quick note on microwave drawers
A microwave drawer slides out like a drawer instead of opening with a side door. It is installed differently from a countertop microwave, so follow the drawer's own cutout sizes. Sharp's drawer guide, for example, says its 24-inch drawer goes in a 24-inch-wide base cabinet and its 30-inch drawer in a 30-inch cabinet. It gives a cutout about 14-13/16 inches tall and at least 23-1/2 inches deep, and says to leave about 41 inches of open floor in front so the drawer can open all the way.
Lily Ann sells the Forno Capoliveri 24-inch and 30-inch microwave drawers. Check the drawer's installation guide before you choose a cabinet, and ask Lily Ann which cabinet to pair it with.
Pros and Cons of a Microwave Base Cabinet
Pros
- Frees the counter and the wall. No microwave on the counter, and no wall cabinet given up to hold it.
- No lifting hot food down from above your head, which suits shorter adults and older kids.
- Keeps sight lines clean, which is why it's popular in islands and open-concept kitchens.
- The drawer below adds storage right where you use it.
Cons
- You have to bend down to use it, which can be hard for some people.
- It's within reach of small children. If that's a concern, use the microwave's child lock.
- The cabinet takes 24 or 30 inches of base-cabinet space that could otherwise be drawers.
For where a microwave base cabinet works best in your layout, including islands, peninsulas and next to the pantry, see our microwave placement ideas and our guide to kitchen zones.
Lily Ann Microwave Base Cabinets: Colors and Sizes
Lily Ann Cabinets sells microwave base cabinets in 24- and 30-inch widths, ready to assemble, in the same colors as its kitchen cabinet lines. On September 24, 2026, 12 lines had both sizes in stock and 5 more had the 30-inch size.
| Cabinet line | 24-inch | 30-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado White Shaker | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Craftsman White Shaker | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Craftsman Off-White Shaker | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Shaker Off-White | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Off-White Slim Shaker | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Craftsman Black Shaker | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Craftsman Natural Shaker | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Craftsman Lily Green Shaker | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Craftsman Mocha Shaker | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Mocha Shaker | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Mocha Slim Shaker | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Navy Blue Shaker | 24" (MB24) | 30" (MB30) |
| Grey Shaker Elite | Not listed | 30" (MB30) |
| York Driftwood Grey | Not listed | 30" (MB30) |
| York Linen | Not listed | 30" (MB30) |
| Charleston Linen | Not listed | 30" (MB30) |
| Key Largo White | Not listed | 30" (MB30) |
Stock checked September 24, 2026. Out of stock and marked Final Sale that day: the 30-inch Charleston Cherry, Charleston Saddle, York Saddle, White Shaker Elite, Shaker Espresso, York Chocolate and Shaker Cinnamon cabinets, and the 33-inch Shaker Cinnamon and York Chocolate cabinets. The 30-inch Bristol Linen cabinet was in stock but marked Final Sale.
You can browse more options on Lily Ann's microwave cabinets page.
Changing your mind later
If you ever move the microwave, Lily Ann sells door kits that close the upper opening with two doors, turning the cabinet into regular storage. For example, see the Craftsman White Shaker 24" and 30" door kits. Lily Ann also offers a convert a drawer base cabinet to a microwave base cabinet service for painted cabinet lines.
Installing a Microwave Base Cabinet
A microwave base cabinet installs like any other base cabinet: set it level with the cabinets beside it, fasten it to the wall and to its neighbors, and put the countertop over it. Plan the outlet first so the plug is easy to reach once the microwave is in place. Lily Ann's cabinets come ready to assemble, and some ZIP codes can get them assembled; check on the product page. Our guide on how to install RTA cabinets walks through the steps.
The Short Version
Microwave base cabinets are 24 or 30 inches wide, and at Lily Ann they are 34-1/2 inches tall and 24 inches deep with one drawer. The 30-inch size fits most countertop microwaves in its 27-inch-wide opening. Plan for a 17-inch-tall opening, measure your microwave with its clearances, and check the manual allows cabinet use. Microwave drawers follow their own cutout sizes. When you're ready, pick the cabinet in the same color as the rest of your kitchen cabinets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Microwave base cabinets usually come 24 or 30 inches wide. At Lily Ann Cabinets both sizes are 34-1/2 inches tall and 24 inches deep, the same as its other base cabinets, with one drawer below the microwave space. The 30-inch cabinet lists a 27-inch-wide opening.
A 24-inch-wide countertop microwave will not fit inside a 24-inch-wide cabinet, because the cabinet's sides and front frame take up part of the width. Microwave drawers are different: 24-inch drawers are made to go in 24-inch base cabinets, following the drawer's cutout sizes. For a countertop microwave, a 30-inch cabinet with a 27-inch opening is the safer choice.
Yes, as long as the microwave is allowed to be used in an enclosed space and has the air clearance its manual asks for. Midea's sizing guide says most models need at least 3 inches on the sides and back. Built-in microwaves and microwaves with a matching trim kit are made for cabinet installs.
No. Only microwaves whose manual allows it should go in or under a cabinet, and each needs the clearance its maker asks for. Over-the-range microwaves mount above a range, not in a base cabinet. Microwave drawers are made for base cabinets but follow their own cutout sizes.
The easiest way is to buy a microwave base cabinet made for it, with the opening and drawer already built in. If you already have a drawer base cabinet, Lily Ann offers a service that converts a drawer base into a microwave base cabinet for its painted cabinet lines. If you build your own, size the opening to your microwave plus the clearances in its manual.
Microwave drawers come in 24- and 30-inch widths. Sharp's guide lists its models at about 23-7/8 and 29-7/8 inches wide, about 15-7/8 inches tall and about 23 inches deep when closed. The drawer also needs about 41 inches of open space in front to open all the way.
Mostly. They are made in two standard widths, 24 and 30 inches, and models of the same width are close in size. The exact cutout still varies by brand and model, so always use the installation guide for the drawer you buy.
You need a base cabinet with an opening cut to the drawer's size. Sharp's guide calls for a base cabinet at least 24 inches deep, matched to the drawer's width, with a cutout about 14-13/16 inches tall, and an outlet behind or below the unit. Check which cabinet to use with your cabinet maker before you order.
Avoid spots where you would have to lift hot food from above your head, places without the air clearance the manual asks for, and corners where the door can't open fully. A base cabinet avoids the first problem, but it is within reach of small children, so use the child lock if that matters in your home. Our microwave placement ideas cover more spots to avoid.
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