Are Hob Sizes Standard? A Complete Guide to Hob Dimensions and Cut-Outs
Hob widths follow common conventions — 60cm is the UK standard for most four-zone hobs — but cut-out dimensions are not universal. Even two 60cm hobs from different manufacturers can require different-sized worktop cut-outs, typically in the range of 540–560mm wide. Always measure the required cut-out from the installation manual, not just the external hob width.
What does ‘standard hob size’ actually mean?
When people ask whether hob sizes are standard, they are usually asking one of two different questions. The first is whether there is a common width that most hobs follow, making it straightforward to replace one model with another. The answer there is broadly yes: the majority of four-zone hobs sold in the UK are 60cm wide, and kitchens are typically designed with this in mind.
The second question — and the more important one — is whether you can simply buy a hob of the same stated width and expect it to drop into your existing worktop cut-out. The answer here is no. Overall widthThe full edge-to-edge measurement of the hob’s glass or top surface. This is the figure usually used in product listings and marketing. and cut-out sizeThe hole in the worktop that the hob is designed to sit in. This is always smaller than the overall width, as the hob’s frame or lip overlaps the worktop edge to seal and support it. are two different measurements. A 60cm hob does not require a 600mm cut-out. The cut-out is always smaller than the outer dimension, and it varies between models — sometimes by as much as 20–30mm in either direction.
This is the most common source of confusion when replacing a hob, and it is the reason the installation manual should be the first document you consult, not the product listing.
Common hob widths in the UK
While cut-out dimensions vary, the outer widths of built-in hobs in the UK follow four main conventions. Each is designed to align with standard kitchen unit widths.
Domino hobs with one or two zones. Used in compact kitchens or as a secondary cooking surface alongside a main hob.
The UK standard. Four zones. Fits over a standard 600mm kitchen base unit. Suitable for most households.
Four or five zones with more generous zone spacing. Suits medium to large kitchens with a wider worktop run.
Five or six zones. Professional-style layouts. Requires a wide worktop and typically a 900mm base unit beneath.
Depth (front to back) is broadly consistent across these widths: most built-in hobs are 50–52cm deep, requiring a cut-out depth of around 450–490mm. Height above the worktop is typically 4–6cm for ceramic and induction models, though gas hobs with cast-iron pan supports can sit slightly higher.
Hob cut-out dimensions: what size hole do you need?
The table below gives typical cut-out dimensions for each standard hob width. These are general guidelines — the actual figures for your specific model will be in its installation manual, and those are the measurements you must use.
| Hob width | Typical cut-out width | Typical cut-out depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30cm (domino) | 268–280mm | ~480mm | Two zones; often paired side-by-side in a 60cm space |
| 60cm | 540–560mm | 480–490mm | Most common size; some models specify as narrow as 530mm |
| 70cm | 640–660mm | 480–490mm | Less common; check carefully as 70cm and 77cm are different |
| 75–77cm | 710–730mm | 480–490mm | Often labelled as 75cm or 77cm depending on brand |
| 90cm | 820–860mm | 480–500mm | Wide variation between manufacturers; always verify |
The figures above are typical ranges. Different manufacturers — and different models within the same brand — specify different cut-out dimensions even for the same stated outer width. A 60cm hob from one manufacturer may require a 540mm cut-out while another requires 558mm. Cutting your worktop to the wrong size is an expensive mistake that cannot be undone.
Before cutting any worktop, download or request the installation manual for your specific model and use those exact measurements.
Overall hob dimensions vs cut-out size: understanding the difference
This distinction is worth spelling out clearly because it trips up a significant number of buyers, particularly those replacing a hob themselves.
The overall width is the full edge-to-edge measurement of the hob’s top surface — the figure most prominently displayed on product listings. A 60cm hob measures 600mm across. But the hob is not designed to sit in a 600mm hole. It is designed to overlap the worktop edges, with the frame or glass lip resting on the surface on all four sides while the body of the unit hangs into the cut-out below. The cut-out only needs to be large enough for the body of the hob to pass through and the fixing clips to reach the underside of the worktop.
This means the cut-out for a 60cm hob is typically around 540–560mm wide: roughly 40–60mm narrower than the outer dimension. The depth cut-out follows the same logic, with the hob typically requiring around 480–490mm of hole depth against a physical depth of 510–520mm.
When replacing a hob, the existing cut-out dimensions in your worktop are the key measurement. If your old hob had a 556 × 486mm cut-out, you need a new hob that specifies the same or a similar cut-out — not simply one that is also 60cm wide.
How to measure for a replacement hob
Taking the right measurements before buying ensures the new hob will fit without requiring any worktop modification. The process takes around ten minutes with a tape measure.
Measure the existing cut-out, not the hob itself
With the hob removed, measure the width and depth of the hole in the worktop. This is the most important measurement. Write it down precisely — to the nearest millimetre if possible.
Measure the usable worktop space around the cut-out
Check how much worktop surface remains on each side and at the front and back of the cut-out. This tells you whether a slightly larger hob (with a larger cut-out) is feasible without encroaching on adjoining units or appliances.
Check the depth below the cut-out
Measure the clear space from the underside of the worktop to any shelf, drawer, or appliance below. The hob body typically hangs 40–60mm below the worktop surface. Integrated ovens and deep drawers can reduce this clearance. Some induction hobs also require additional ventilation space beneath them — check the technical specification.
Note the existing connection type
Gas hobs require a gas supply connection and appropriate pipework. Electric and induction hobs require an electrical connection — either a standard 13A socket for plug-in models, or a hardwired connection for built-in models. Ensure the new hob’s connection type matches what is available, or factor in the cost of professional adaptation.
Compare your cut-out measurements to the new hob’s installation manual
Find the required cut-out dimensions in the installation manual of the hob you intend to buy — not the product listing page. Confirm that your existing cut-out is within the specified range. If the new hob requires a slightly larger cut-out, assess whether the available worktop space allows for widening.
Can you fit a different-size hob in an existing cut-out?
Whether you can fit a hob with a different cut-out size into an existing opening depends on which direction the mismatch goes.
New cut-out is larger than existing
If the replacement hob requires a larger cut-out than the hole already in your worktop, the cut-out needs to be enlarged. This is straightforward for a carpenter or competent DIYer on most worktop materials: the hole is simply cut larger using a jigsaw. The key checks are that there is enough surrounding worktop material to accommodate the larger hole without compromising structural integrity, and that no support bracing or fixings underneath would be cut through. Laminate, timber, and solid surface worktops can all be widened relatively easily. Stone and composite worktops require specialist cutting tools and are best handled by a professional.
New cut-out is smaller than existing
This is the trickier scenario. If the replacement hob’s required cut-out is smaller than the existing hole, the hob’s frame will not overlap the worktop sufficiently to seal and support the appliance correctly. The gap left around the edges allows moisture to penetrate the worktop and looks unfinished. Solutions include fitting a trim plate or infill strip around the perimeter of the hob (available as accessories for some models), having a joiner fabricate a suitable filler piece, or choosing a different hob model whose cut-out more closely matches the existing opening. A like-for-like replacement — same brand and model series — often solves this problem entirely.
Do induction, gas, and ceramic hobs have different dimensions?
All three types follow the same standard outer widths (60cm, 90cm, and so on), so the overall size categories are consistent. The differences are in the detail of individual model specifications rather than between hob types as a category.
Induction hobs tend to have the most variation in required cut-out sizes because many models incorporate cooling fans and require additional clearance below the worktop for ventilation. Some induction hobs specify a minimum gap between the underside of the hob and any surface below — this is worth checking carefully if the unit beneath your worktop contains drawers or a compact oven.
Gas hobs generally require similar cut-out dimensions to ceramic models of the same width, but the burner layout means the physical depth of the hob can be slightly greater. The more significant difference with gas is the connection: a gas hob requires a Gas Safe registered engineerA legally required qualification for anyone who installs, services, or works on gas appliances in the UK. It is illegal to connect a gas hob to a gas supply unless you hold current Gas Safe registration. for installation, regardless of whether the cut-out itself is straightforward.
Ceramic hobs typically have the most consistent cut-out dimensions within the same width category, as they have fewer ventilation or burner-layout variables than induction or gas. That said, the same rule applies: always verify with the installation manual before cutting.
For a broader comparison of hob types and their practical differences, the CATA hob guides cover induction, ceramic, and gas in detail.
Installation requirements: what you need to know
In the UK, it is illegal to connect a gas hob to a gas supply unless the work is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This applies to new installations and like-for-like replacements. You can check an engineer’s registration at gassaferegister.co.uk.
For electric and induction hobs, a qualified electrician is strongly recommended for hardwired connections. While connecting a plug-in 13A hob to a standard socket does not legally require an electrician, hardwired hobs draw significant current and the connection should be made to a circuit that is correctly rated and protected. An incorrectly wired connection is a fire risk.
Beyond the connection itself, worktop cutting for a new or enlarged cut-out is DIY-achievable on most materials with the right tools, but professional installation is advisable if you are working with stone, composite, or solid timber worktops, or if the existing cabinetry makes access awkward. The cost of professional fitting is substantially less than the cost of a worktop that has been cut incorrectly.
Frequently asked questions
The cut-out for a 60cm hob is typically between 540mm and 560mm wide, and around 480–490mm deep. However, the exact dimensions vary between models — some manufacturers specify as little as 530mm in width. The only reliable source for the correct figure is the installation manual for your specific hob. Do not cut the worktop based on the stated outer width of 600mm.
Possibly, but you need to check the cut-out dimensions before buying. Measure your existing worktop cut-out precisely, then compare it against the installation manual of the new hob. If the new hob’s required cut-out is the same or slightly smaller than your existing hole, it should fit without modification. If it is larger, the worktop will need to be widened. Replacing with the same brand and model series often results in a direct fit, as manufacturers tend to maintain cut-out consistency within a range.
No. The cut-out is always smaller than the outer dimensions. The hob’s frame or glass lip overlaps the worktop edge to support and seal the appliance. For a 60cm hob, the outer width is 600mm but the required cut-out width is typically 540–560mm — around 40–60mm narrower. Similarly, the cut-out depth is typically 480–490mm for a hob with a physical depth of around 510–520mm.
Both types follow the same standard outer widths, and cut-out dimensions are broadly similar. The main practical difference with induction hobs is that many require additional ventilation clearance below the worktop for the cooling fan. Gas hobs have similar cut-out dimensions to ceramic models of the same width but require more attention to the connection: a Gas Safe registered engineer must carry out the gas supply connection regardless of whether the cut-out is straightforward.
If the new hob’s required cut-out is smaller than the existing opening, the hob’s overlapping frame will not fully cover the gap. This leaves an exposed edge around the hob that allows moisture into the worktop and looks unfinished. Options include fitting a proprietary trim kit if one is available for the model, having a joiner fabricate an infill strip to reduce the opening size, or choosing a different hob model with a cut-out that more closely matches the existing hole.
For gas hobs, yes — a Gas Safe registered engineer is legally required to make the gas supply connection. For electric and induction hobs, a qualified electrician is strongly recommended for hardwired connections, though not a legal requirement in the same way. Worktop cutting for a like-for-like replacement is DIY-achievable on laminate, timber, and most composite materials with a jigsaw. Stone and solid surface worktops should be cut by a professional.
A domino hob is a compact 30cm-wide hob, typically with one or two cooking zones. They are designed to be used individually in small spaces or installed side by side — two 30cm hobs in a 60cm space — to create a customised cooking configuration, such as a two-zone induction and a two-burner gas combination. A single domino hob requires a cut-out of approximately 268–280mm wide, which is not compatible with a standard 60cm cut-out. If installing two dominos side by side, the combined cut-out arrangement depends on the specific models and whether they are designed to be paired.
Summary
Hob widths follow common conventions in the UK — 60cm is the standard for most four-zone built-in hobs, with 90cm for larger kitchens and 30cm domino hobs for compact or secondary cooking spaces. What is not standard is the cut-out: the hole required in your worktop varies between manufacturers and models, even for hobs of the same stated outer width.
The most important step before buying a replacement hob is measuring the existing cut-out in your worktop, then comparing those dimensions against the required cut-out in the installation manual of the new model — not its product listing. For gas hobs, a Gas Safe registered engineer must make the connection. For induction hobs above the basic plug-in range, a qualified electrician should handle hardwired connections.
For help choosing the right hob type and size for your kitchen, explore the CATA hob guides and advice section.
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