How High Should You Install Your Cooker Hood Above the Hob?

Quick answer: A cooker hood is typically installed around 65–75cm above an electric or induction hob and 75–80cm above a gas hob. Always follow the exact guidance in your hob and hood manuals, as manufacturer instructions take priority.

Getting the right cooker hood installation height matters more than many people realise. Mount it too low and it may become a safety issue. Mount it too high and it can struggle to remove steam, grease, smoke, and odours effectively.

If you are planning a new kitchen or replacing an old extractor, understanding the correct hood height above the hob will help you get the best performance from your appliance.

Recommended installation heights

The ideal distance between your cooker hood and hob depends on the type of cooking surface below.

Hob type	Typical installation height	Why it differs
Electric hob	65–75cm above the hob surface	Allows efficient extraction while maintaining safe clearance
Induction hob	65–75cm above the hob surface	Usually similar to electric because there is no open flame
Gas hob	75–80cm above the hob surface	Extra clearance is needed because of the open flame and higher direct heat

Important: General ranges are helpful, but the manufacturer’s instructions for both the hob and the hood should always come first.

Why the correct height matters

Your cooker hood needs to sit at the right distance to create effective airflow. If it is badly positioned, even a powerful model can underperform.

Too low It may feel intrusive while cooking, risk heat damage, and in some cases create a fire hazard.

Too high Steam and grease can spread before they are captured, reducing extraction efficiency.

The correct position helps your hood catch vapours at source, keeping your kitchen cleaner and more comfortable during everyday cooking.

What affects the best cooker hood position?

Although the hob type is the main factor, there are a few other things to consider when choosing the final mounting height:

Hood design: chimney, angled, canopy, and integrated models can each have slightly different fitting guidance.
Extraction power: a more powerful hood may still need to be within the recommended height range to work properly.
Pan size and cooking style: heavy frying, boiling, or wok cooking creates more steam and grease.
User height and headroom: the hood should not feel awkward or get in the way while cooking.
Cabinet layout: surrounding units and alignment can affect where the hood sits visually and practically.

Practical installation tips

Tip: If your manual gives a height range rather than one exact figure, aiming for the middle of that range is often a sensible choice.

Measure from the hob surface, not from the worktop or splashback.
Use a spirit level before fixing the hood in place.
Make sure the hood is centred over the cooking area for the best extraction coverage.
Check there is enough space for filters, ducting, and any chimney section before final installation.
If you have a gas hob, be especially careful to follow the minimum safe clearance.

If you are still choosing appliances, you can browse our cooker hoods and matching hobs to create a practical, coordinated cooking setup.

Final thoughts

The best height for a cooker hood above the hob depends mainly on whether you have gas, electric, or induction. In most cases, you will be looking at around 65–75cm for electric or induction and 75–80cm for gas, but the final answer should always come from your appliance manuals.

Get the height right and your hood will work more efficiently, look better in your kitchen, and help keep cooking fumes under control.