Question & answer

How Deep Should a Kitchen Sink Be?

There's no single right depth. The sinks on this site run from about 6-1/2 inches for budget drop-ins to 10 inches for big single bowls. For most kitchens, 8 to 10 inches is where our picks sit. Check it against your own height.

by the editorial teamupdated November 3, 20262 min read

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The short answer

The sinks on this site run from about 6-1/2 inches for budget drop-ins to 10 inches for big single bowls, and most of our main picks are 8-1/2 to 10 inches deep. Deeper holds big pots and reduces splash, though the drain sits lower and you reach further. We found no single standard, so stand at your counter and measure down to see what suits you.

On this page

We found no standard that settles this for a home kitchen. Here's what's on offer.

What's on the market

Depth	Example	Suits
About 6-1/2 in	Elkay Dayton, per listing	Budget swaps and light use
6-3/4 in	Ruvati RVM4136	Bar and prep sinks
8-1/2 in	Ruvati RVM4350	Two-bowl sinks
9 in	Delta Lorelai 33	A drop-in with room for pots
10 in	KRAUS KHU100-32, Ruvati RVH8300	Big pots and single bowls

The "suits" column is our reading of the sinks, not a maker's rule.

A quick way to decide

Stand at your counter with a tape measure. Measure down 8 inches from the counter top, and then 10. Your hands do the washing at that level, so see which feels right, and think about your biggest pot.

Then look below. A deeper bowl leaves less room under the sink for pipes, storage and any disposal.

What else to weigh

Bowl count. Two bowls often come with less depth than one, as single or double shows. Cabinet. Yale Appliance says a deeper bowl can win back capacity in a smaller cabinet, which what size fits explains. Also see 33 in 36 for the common pairing.

If you know you want depth, deep sinks compares the picks. The KRAUS KHU100-32^* is where we'd start at 10 inches.

Asked before buying

Is 8 inches deep enough for a kitchen sink?

It can be. The Ruvati RVM4350's two bowls are 8-1/2 inches deep, and that's a mainstream double. It's less room for a tall stockpot than a 10-inch bowl offers. If you wash large pots by hand often, go deeper. If not, it's fine.

Are there rules for accessible sinks?

Yes, accessibility standards can set limits, but we couldn't read the rule itself, so we don't quote a figure here. If you're building for accessibility, check the current standard or ask an accessibility specialist before choosing a depth.