Range Hood Dimensions: Sizes, Types and Mounting Height

The one rule that matters: a range hood should be at least as wide as the cooktop below it — ideally 3″ wider on each side. Most cooktops are 30″ or 36″, so most hoods are too. The rest comes down to the hood type, how high you mount it, and the duct.

Match the hood width to the cooktop

A hood that’s narrower than the cooktop lets smoke and grease escape at the edges. Size it to the cooking surface, not the cabinet.

Cooktop width	Minimum hood	Better (capture overhang)
30″	30″	36″
36″	36″	42″
48″	48″	54″

The four hood types and their footprints

Under-cabinet — mounts to the cabinet bottom; 30/36″ wide, ~17–20″ deep, 6″ tall. The most common.
Wall-mount (chimney) — no cabinet above; the stack rises to the ceiling. Plan for the chimney height as well as the canopy.
Island — suspended from the ceiling, finished on all sides, usually deeper (24–28″) to capture from an open cooktop.
Insert / liner — the blower only, dropped into a custom hood surround; sized to the surround’s interior.

How high to mount it

Too high and it won’t capture; too low and it’s a head and fire hazard. Manufacturers publish a range — always use the model’s sheet — but the typical figures, measured from the cooking surface to the bottom of the hood:

Cooktop type	Typical mounting height
Electric	24–30″
Gas	24–36″

Check the model, not the rule of thumb

Gas ranges with high-BTU burners often require more clearance, and a hood mounted outside its rated range can void the warranty. The install sheet is the authority.

Duct and airflow (CFM) sizing

Airflow is rated in CFM. A common rule of thumb is about 100 CFM per linear foot of cooktop for an electric range, or roughly 1 CFM per 100 BTU for gas. Higher CFM needs a larger duct (6″ round is common; 8″ or larger for powerful hoods) and, above a threshold, make-up air. A recirculating (ductless) hood needs no duct but vents back into the room through a filter.

Frequently asked

What size range hood do I need for a 30-inch cooktop?

At least 30″ wide; a 36″ hood captures better by overhanging the edges. Match or exceed the cooktop width.

How high should a range hood be above the stove?

Typically 24–30″ above an electric cooktop and 24–36″ above gas — but follow the figure on your model’s installation sheet, especially for high-BTU gas.

Does a range hood have to be wider than the stove?

It should be at least as wide; wider is better for capture. Never narrower than the cooktop.

Measured from official ENERGY STAR data + manufacturer spec sheets · Last verified June 2026