Calculate worktop length for your kitchen layout
Planning a new kitchen requires accurate worktop measurements to avoid costly mistakes. Kitchen worktops are typically sold by the linear metre in the UK, and the total length depends on your kitchen layout: a simple straight run needs just one measurement, but L-shaped and U-shaped kitchens involve corners where worktop sections overlap, and galley kitchens need two parallel runs measured separately. Standard UK kitchen worktops are 600mm deep, though 900mm and 1200mm options are available for islands and peninsula units. Laminate worktops from manufacturers like Howdens, Wickes, and B&Q typically come in 3-metre or 4-metre lengths, so you need to plan your cuts and joints carefully to minimise waste. Each joint needs a connecting bolt, colour-matched sealant, and often an edging strip to create a clean, waterproof finish. This calculator handles all four common UK kitchen layouts. For L-shaped and U-shaped kitchens, it automatically deducts the corner overlap where two worktop sections meet at a right angle. It also accounts for the small amount of extra material needed at each joint for trimming and fitting, and provides an estimated cost based on a typical mid-range laminate worktop price of 60 GBP per linear metre.
To calculate your kitchen worktop requirements: 1. Select your kitchen layout. Straight is a single run along one wall. L-shape has two runs meeting at a corner. U-shape has three runs forming a U. Galley has two parallel runs on opposite walls. 2. Enter Run A (the main run) in metres. Measure from wall to wall including any end panels. 3. For L-shape and U-shape layouts, enter Run B. For U-shape, also enter Run C. For galley kitchens, Run B is the opposite wall. 4. The worktop depth defaults to 600mm (0.6m), which is standard for UK kitchens. Adjust in advanced options if you are using a deeper worktop. 5. Enter the number of joints if you know how many separate worktop sections you will use. The calculator adds 100mm per joint for trimming allowance. 6. Review the total length, area, number of edging strips needed, and estimated cost.
The worktop length calculation varies by layout: Straight: total length = Run A. For a 3m straight run: total = 3m. L-shape: total length = Run A + Run B - worktop depth. The depth is deducted once because the two sections overlap at the corner. For runs of 3m and 2m with 600mm depth: 3 + 2 - 0.6 = 4.4m. U-shape: total length = Run A + Run B + Run C - (2 x worktop depth). Two corners mean two overlaps are deducted. For runs of 3m, 2m, and 2m: 3 + 2 + 2 - (2 x 0.6) = 5.8m. Galley: total length = Run A + Run B. No overlap since the runs are on opposite walls. For runs of 3m and 2.5m: 3 + 2.5 = 5.5m. Each joint adds 100mm (0.1m) for trimming and fitting allowance. Worktop area = total length x depth. For our L-shape example: 4.4 x 0.6 = 2.64 m2. Estimated cost = total length x price per metre. At 60 GBP per metre: 4.4 x 60 = 264 GBP for the worktop material alone.
This calculator provides material estimates only. Professional installation typically costs 20-40 GBP per metre in addition to the worktop cost. For solid stone, quartz, or solid surface worktops (Corian, Dekton), prices start at 200 GBP per metre and the supplier usually templates and installs the worktop. Laminate and solid wood worktops can be cut to size by a competent DIYer with a circular saw and router for the joints. Always check that your base units are level before fitting worktops, and leave a 3mm expansion gap where worktops meet walls.