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Measure your counter in three numbers

Three numbers from a tape measure tell you whether a machine fits your counter: the free width, the depth to the wall, and the room up to the cabinet. Take them once, and you know before you buy, not on delivery day. Each kind of machine then has one more thing to check by hand.

See which setups fit your counter

  1. 1

    Free width, side to side

    Measure the open counter from side to side, at the spot where the machine will stand: from the wall, the next appliance or the end of the counter on one side, to the same on the other.

    Tip: take the narrowest point, because a tap base or a tile edge cuts into the space. Use inches or centimetres, whichever your tape shows, and keep all three numbers in the same unit (1 in is 2.54 cm).

  2. 2

    Depth, front edge to wall

    Measure from the front edge of the counter straight back to the wall or the backsplash. If a ledge, an outlet or a tile lip sticks out from the wall, measure to that, because the back of the machine has to clear it.

    Tip: measure where the machine will stand, and write down the shortest distance you find.

  3. 3

    Room above, counter to cabinet

    Measure straight up from the counter top to the underside of the cabinet above.

    Tip: use the lowest point over the spot where the machine will stand. Trim, a light bar or a door that hangs below the cabinet counts as the underside.

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Espresso machines

Of the 16 espresso machines on the site:

Each size shows its source and date. A machine has to be smaller than your counter on all three numbers, and then leave room for the check below.

Check by hand: the room above the machine. Subtract the machine's height from your third number. On several machines the tank lifts out upward, so that gap has to take the tank as you lift it. Where a machine fills in place from the top, the gap also has to take your water jug tipped to pour. Where a product page gives the gap between the drip tray and the spout, compare it with your tallest cup.

Makers also say where the machine must not go. Gaggia's US manual for the Classic Pro: "The machine shall not be placed in a cabinet when in use." gaggia.com · 1 November

Breville's manual for the Barista Express Impress: "Do not operate the appliance in an enclosed space, or inside a cupboard." assets.breville.com · 1 November

The safety warnings De'Longhi lists for the Stilosa ask for at least 3 cm (about 1.2 in) from the side and rear walls, and at least 15 cm (about 6 in) above the machine. library.delonghigroup.com · 1 November

Grinders

Of the 12 grinders on the site:

Each size shows its source and date. Check the height first against the space under your cabinet.

Check by hand, on a grinder with a hopper on top: subtract the grinder's height from your third number. What is left has to take the lifted lid and a bag of beans tipped to pour.

Kettles

Of the 3 kettles on the site:

Each size shows its source and date.

Check by hand: the lid. Subtract the kettle's height from your third number. What is left is the room you have to open the lid.

Brewers

Brewers here means pour-over brewers, drip machines and cold-brew makers. Of the 4 on the site:

Each size shows its source and date.

Check by hand: the room above. Subtract the brewer's height from your third number, and keep enough of what is left to open a lid or reach the top.

Your counter

Type the three numbers you just took.

Your counter is kept in this browser only. No account, nothing sent to Setistry, nothing shared; clear your browser and it is gone.

The tool judges whole setups, a machine, a grinder and a scale together, against your counter.

Each product page also has its own fit check for that one product, and it starts from the counter you entered here.