Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring Your Countertop for Remodeling

From Granite & Marble Specialties, here’s a step-by-step guide to properly measuring your kitchen or bathroom countertops for remodeling. Regardless of what material you're considering (granite, wood, marble, or quartz), you'll need to provide your material supplier and installer an accurate measurement in order to get the most accurate quote.

Tools you'll need before you begin:

- Paper
- Pencil or Pen
- Tape Measure (in inches)

First, create a rough sketch of your room's layout. You'll want to label all appliances, fixtures, or ledges that might get in the way once installation is performed. The shape of the room is important, as are the shapes of the countertops. The most common shapes are L-shapes, U-shapes, or galley style countertops. Be sure to label and measure the island as well.

Then, box out each section and number them for future reference. This will help your installer keep track of each piece of material they'll need to cut.

Second, when you actually measure your countertops, don't measure from the backsplash. It needs to be measured separately. Start from the wall and measure to the outer edge of your countertops. Get as close as you can to the nearest 1/8 inch. This will give you the measurement for the width. Do this for each section of your kitchen, as some older homes have irregularly-shaped or misshapen countertops.

To measure the length, start from the far edge and measure to the nearest other edge. If you're measuring at an L-shape, measure to the nearest seam or section of the countertop.

To measure the backsplash, measure from corner to corner. If you have a full backsplash, measure from the beginning of the counter to the underside of the cabinets. Standard 4-inch backsplashes should be measured from corner to corner.

Islands are a separate measurement entirely. Though it's the same method as before, you need to measure for the overhang in the seating area. If you have a curved island, find the center of the curve and make a square in your drawing. This will let the installer know where to form the curve.

Third, calculate the square footage based on your measurements. Multiply length by width for each piece, and then add those together for the total amount. Next, convert them to square feet. Take the total number of inches and divide by 144 (12x12=144).

Be sure to check your work and ensure your measurements are as accurate as possible. Though your sketch doesn't have to be perfect, being as detailed as possible will help avoid headaches until the installer comes and takes measurements themselves.

Check out the accompanying blog post for more detailed information and images!

[stevenquan]

I just love this guy! I honestly could just listen to him talk about anything.

[martincruiz]

You so much remind me of my favorite, middle school teacher who could take any concept, in any subject and present it in a fashion every student could grasp, May he Rest in Peace! Thank you.

[mikebravo]

the most straightforward explanation I've seen. Thank You Sir

[Navi]

Once you think boxes, you can't go wrong. Thank you, Sir!

[Joanna-pb]

This is an amazing video!!! I've been renovating my house for a few years and always have to figure this out the hard way. Thank you for this very thorough explanation! The visuals are so helpful!

[debbiemorrison]

I was so hesitant to have to do this and you made it super easy

[Tortula]

Thank you for this because they are trying to charge me extra for the overlap instead of substracting

[Angie-zvxj]

Thank you so much!!!! That was so informative and fantastic!

[mercedesgarcia]

👍..You are a great teacher...thank you so much..❤

[as.k]

Very, very helpful video. Thank you sir.

[kellyjackson]

Thank you so much; very helpful for budgeting purposes on our kitchen remodel.

[robertloper]

this video is amazing, being a young guy who just started estimating for the first time, this explanation is fantastic!!

[smokymountainlife]

Great video. Well illustrated. This was very helpful! Thanks so much!

[Classycmg]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I’m working at MARBLE & GRANITE store and my boss was driving me crazy with all those measurements and counting. SAVED MY LIFE!!! ♥️ one more subscribed!! ✨✨

[donaredcomet]

great video, thank you. very good info.

[Djessop]

Thank God for u. I was catching my tail to determine my square footage. Great n simple explanation.

[betsyboop]

Excellent explanation! Thank you very much!

[silviasanchez]

I think this is great help. I am a single women and carefully trying to figure out how to measure and order new granite counter. I was so happy to see this video and I just have one question. How do you count for a sink in the counter. I have a 10 foot straight counter. Thanks for making this video.

[viviennewallaceculp]

You make a great teacher. What about measuring linear feet on something like a fence. I need to see an example, please.

[kennethpace]

Great video, thanks! You kinda remind me of John Candy.