Australian Standard Refrigerator Sizes

Australian Standard Refrigerator Sizes

Standard Refrigerator Sizes: Understanding The Differences And Choosing The Right One For Your Home

When it comes to upgrading or renovating your kitchen, choosing the right fridge size is a crucial decision. Not only does it impact the overall aesthetic and functionality of your kitchen, but it also affects daily life and food storage. In this article, I will provide a comprehensive guide to standard fridge sizes, the difference between them, and how to choose the best one for your home.

Understanding Standard Fridge Sizes

Standard fridge sizes vary in width and height, but the depth remains fairly consistent at approximately 600-700mm. The most common fridge sizes are:

  • Compact: 500mm to 600mm wide
  • Standard: 600mm to 900mm wide
  • Large: 900mm to 1200mm wide

Additionally, there are specialised fridges such as wine fridges and under-counter fridges.

Standard Fridge Space

The standard kitchen refrigerator space is 900mm wide x 1800mm high x 600mm deep and suits a wide range of differing fridge sizes.

Differences Between Standard Fridge Sizes

Compact refrigerators are the smallest and most affordable option, making them ideal for small apartments, dorm rooms or as a secondary fridge. However, they have limited storage capacity and are not suited for large families or those who like to stock up on groceries.

Standard refrigerators are the most popular choice for most households. They offer a balance between storage capacity and price, and can accommodate the needs of most families. They typically come in widths between 600mm to 900mm.

Large refrigerators are the most spacious option and are perfect for large families or those who like to entertain often. They can accommodate more groceries and larger items, such as party platters and drinks. They typically come in widths between 900mm to 1200mm.

Choosing The Right Fridge Size For Your Home

When choosing the right fridge for your home, consider the following factors:

  • Space: Measure the space accurately in your kitchen where you plan to put the fridge to ensure it will fit. Take notice of where the power point is located.
  • Family Size: Consider the number of people in your household and how much food storage you will need.
  • Lifestyle: If you entertain often or like to stock up on groceries, a larger fridge may be a better option.

Refrigerator Types And Their Dimensions

There are five main types sold in Australia (not including wine, bar and integrated refrigerators) and they all have different features, as well as differing dimensions to consider.

The five refrigerator types are:

  1. Top Mount Freezer
  2. Bottom Mount Freezer
  3. Side by Side
  4. French Door
  5. Pigeon Pair

Typical Top Mount Fridge / Freezer Dimensions

Top mount refrigerators (meaning the freezer compartment is at the top) are the most common type in Australian kitchens today.

Typical top mount refrigerator dimensions are:

  • 470mm (18") to 836mm (33") wide

  • 837mm (33") to 1872mm (74") high

  • 492mm (19") to 810mm (32") deep

As top mount refrigerators are the most common type, they are also the cheapest to buy and usually cheapest to run.

Top Mount Fridge Dimensions Plan

Handy Tip - Make sure the refrigerator door hinge position suits your kitchen layout. A left hinged door can spell disaster if the fridge is located on the extreme right hand side of the kitchen because it will inhibit movement from the fridge to benchtop. If it is next to a wall, the hinge should be on the same side as the wall. Thankfully some manufacturers even have reversible hinges!

Typical Bottom Mount Fridge / Freezer Dimensions

Bottom mount refrigerators (meaning the freezer compartment is at the bottom) are the most popular type that people buy when updating or replacing their old one.

Typical bottom mount refrigerator dimensions are:

  • 480mm (19") to 910mm (36") wide

  • 1265mm (50") to 2027mm (80") high

  • 544mm (21") to 773mm (30") deep

The bottom mount fridge has better ergonomics than the top mount. Because the freezer is at the bottom, the fridge section is at eye level. There is no need to frequently bend over to access the interior.

Bottom Mount Fridge Dimensions Plan

Handy Tip - Consider an 'invertor compressor' over a common 'rotary compressor' when buying a new fridge. An invertor compressor constantly monitors the internal temperature and adjusts its compressor speed accordingly, saving you money.

Typical Side By Side Fridge / Freezer Dimensions

A side by side refrigerator is a separate tall fridge and tall freezer in one combined unit. Fantastic for galley kitchens or for people in wheelchairs because the doors are smaller in width and do not force you back into the countertop behind you when opened.

Typical side by side refrigerator dimensions are:

  • 895mm (35") to 1210mm (48") wide

  • 1756mm (69") to 1852mm (73") high

  • 630mm (25") to 784mm (31") deep

Side by side fridges usually have an ice / water dispenser on the freezer side which eats up a lot of freezer space.  

Side by Side Fridge Dimensions Plan

Handy Tip - Look for a fridge with features that you'll find useful such as ice trays in the freezer, a variable temperature storage drawer in the fridge or a chilled water dispenser in the door.

Typical French Door Fridge / Freezer Dimensions

French door refrigerators offer bottom mount convenience with much wider fridge shelf storage above.

Typical French door refrigerator dimensions are:

  • 685mm (27") to 1210mm (48") wide

  • 1698mm (67") to 2039mm (80") high

  • 610mm (24") to 924mm (36") deep

French door fridges suffer from the same reduced freezer capacity as a side by side fridge if an ice / water dispenser is fitted.

French Door Fridge Dimensions Plan

Handy Tip - Measure your doorways / hallways to make sure your new refrigerator can fit and be easily navigated inside your home.

Typical Pigeon Pair Fridge / Freezer Dimensions

A pigeon pair refrigerator is two (matching) separate units (1 x fridge, 1 x freezer) that can be joined together or placed separately. They are usually the same size.

Typical pigeon pair refrigerator dimensions are:

  • 550mm (22") single unit to 1210mm (48") wide

  • 1420mm (56") to 1852mm (73") high

  • 544mm (21") to 720mm (28") deep

Pigeon pair fridges offer more flexibility because both units can be kept in a different part of the kitchen. Great if you want to have a symmetrical kitchen layout.

Pigeon Pair Fridge Dimensions Plan

Small Refrigerator Sizes

Small refrigerators (compact or mini) are compact, convenient units designed for saving space and lower costs.

They are popular space savers, especially in studio apartments. Because of their small size they can often fit in under utilised spaces such as under stair wells and walk-in pantries.

Handy Tip - The cost of running a small or compact refrigerator may be nearly as much as a full-size one!

Typical Wine Fridge Sizes

Wine fridges store your wine collection at the optimum temperature for cellaring or drinking. They look stylish and have designs that complement modern kitchens.

Typical wine fridge dimensions are:

  • 295mm (12") to 900mm (35") wide

  • 450mm (18") to 1930mm (76") high

  • 478mm (19") to 786mm (31") deep

Don't confuse a wine cabinet with a wine fridge. Wine cabinets are designed for long term cellaring.

Typical Bar Fridge Sizes

Bar fridges are affordable and compact. Perfect for a small kitchen or studio apartment. Commercial bar fridges can be as wide as 1200 to 2230mm (two or four doors).

Typical bar fridge dimensions are:

  • 430mm (20") to 2230mm (88") wide

  • 475mm (19") to 1800mm (71") high

  • 450mm (18") to 700mm (28") deep

The freezer in a bar fridge is very small and only suitable for freezing ice. Consider a bar freezer instead.

Standard Refrigerator Size Chart

The standard refrigerator size chart (below) shows you at a glance both refrigerator type, as well as their typical dimension ranges in metric and imperial.

Refrigerator Size Chart (showing typical dimensions range)

Fridge Type

Width

Height

Depth

Top Mount

470mm to 836mm

(18" to 33")

837mm to 1872mm

(33" to 74")

492mm to 810mm

(19" to 32")

Bottom Mount

480mm to 910mm

(19" to 36")

1265mm to 2027mm

(50" to 80")

544mm to 773mm

(21" to 30")

Side by Side

895mm to 1210mm

(35" to 48")

1756mm to 1852mm

(69" to 73")

630mm to 784mm

(25" to 31")

French Door

 685mm to 1210mm

 (27" to 48")

 1698mm to 2039mm

(67" to 80")

610mm to 924mm

(24" to 36") 

Pigeon Pair

550mm to 1210mm

(22" to 48") 

 1420mm to 1852mm

(56" to 73")

544mm to 720mm

(21" to 28")

Wine Fridge

 295mm to 900mm

(12" to 35")

450mm to 1930mm

(18" to 76") 

478mm to 786mm

(19" to 31") 

Bar Fridge

 430mm to 2230mm

(20" to 88")

 475mm to 1800mm

(19" to 71")

450mm to 700mm

(18" to 28") 

Fridge Type

WidthHeightDepth

N.B Fridge size information obtained from Appliances Online

Handy Tip - Always measure your kitchen's available space before you buy. Make sure you follow the manufacturers guidelines, leaving some extra room for ventilation and door swing clearance.

If you are shopping for a new fridge and are overwhelmed by all of the options available, then take a look at the refrigerator buying guide video below.

When choosing a new refrigerator or freezer for your new kitchen renovation, size or capacity is the first thing you should think about along with energy efficiency.

Different models will better suit different households. The popular top mount freezer or bottom mount freezer should be fine for most singles, couples and small families.

Larger families will appreciate the extra capacity of a side-by-side or French door unit, though these types or refrigerators do take up more kitchen space.

Refrigerator Capacity

Refrigerator size or storage capacity is based on the number of occupants in the home. 

Recommendations for occupants / capacity are as follows.

  • 1 to 2 occupants require a capacity of 200 to 380 litres
  • 3 to 4 occupants require a capacity of 350 to 530 litres
  • 5 + occupants require a capacity of 440 litres minimum

For every occupant over 5, add approximately 29 litres of fridge storage capacity per extra occupant.

Handy Tip - Always check the refrigerator Energy Star rating. The more stars, the more money you'll save on running costs over time. It will also help you to compare similar sizes refrigerator energy costs per year.

How Accurate Is The Reported Fridge Capacity?

For a long time, the general storage area of a refrigerator has been a grey area because manufacturers choose to promote parts of the fridge that may be inaccessible for instance, the volume of ductwork.

In August 2021, the Australian government has mandated a new standard to measure the actual capacity of a fridge. This is great news for consumers because it will give you a more accurate measure of how much real storage space is available to be used.

Read more about Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Household Refrigerating Appliances) Determination 2019

N.B Standard refrigerator sizes stated above are approximate.