Over the range microwave dimensions barely vary in width: most models are 29 7/8 in. wide, so they fill a 30 in. gap between cabinets. I'd check the height first, though. A standard model stands about 16 to 18 in. tall and about 16 in. deep. A low profile model is about 10 to 12 in. tall and a little deeper.
An over-the-range microwave is a microwave and a vent hood built into one box that hangs above the cooktop, under an upper cabinet. Height is the measurement that causes trouble, because the microwave has to fit between the cooktop and the cabinet above it. Makers' installation guides commonly ask for 66 in. from the floor to the bottom of that cabinet and about 30 in. above the cooking surface. Each model has its own sheet, though, and the sheet for yours is the one to follow.
I'm Michael Ruhr, co-owner of Merit Home Furniture, and my days are spent on the Duncan floor. On Vancouver Island, our over-the-range microwaves, like all of Merit's appliance stock, are carried at Campbell River and Port Alberni, or ordered in. On November 1, 2026, Merit listed 76 of them: 38 carried at those two stores and 38 as special orders.
Standard over the range microwave dimensions on Merit's listings
Standard over the range microwave dimensions start with the width: every 30 in. model in this table is 29 7/8 in. wide. Height and depth change. All five are carried at our Campbell River or Port Alberni store, and each size comes from the maker's own spec sheet or dimension guide.
| Model | Height x depth | Vent, price, store |
|---|---|---|
| Whirlpool YWMMS3130RZ, 1.7 cu. ft. | 17 1/8 in. x 15 7/8 in. | 300 CFM, $449.99, Campbell River |
| LG MVEL2125X, 2.1 cu. ft. | 17 15/16 in. x 15 7/8 in. | 400 CFM, $599.99, Campbell River |
| Whirlpool YWML55011HS, low profile | 10 5/16 in. x 18 in. | 400 CFM, $529.99, Campbell River and Port Alberni |
| LG MVEF1323F, low profile | 11 15/16 in. x 19 1/8 in. | 400 CFM, $499.99, Campbell River |
| Samsung ME11A7710DS, slim | 10 3/4 in. x 19 1/8 in. | 550 CFM, $654.99, Campbell River |
Prices are as listed on November 1, 2026, before applicable taxes. Depth is with the door shut, handle included where there is one. Open to 90 degrees, the Whirlpool YWMMS3130RZ door reaches 39 3/8 in. from the wall by its dimension guide, so a cooktop island across the aisle needs room. The Whirlpool low profile figures come from the sheet for its American twin, the WML55011HS, and they match our listing. For a cheaper standard model, our Port Alberni listing for the Frigidaire FMOS1846BS shows 16 3/8 in. tall at $429.00.
Is there a 24-inch over-the-range microwave with an exhaust fan?
Yes. Merit had four 24 in. models on the site on November 1, all special orders, and venting is part of what an over-the-range unit does. The Danby DOM014401G1 has a two-speed, 300 CFM fan that can vent through the top, through the back or back into the room, and it's listed at $579.99. The Whirlpool UMMS5024SS is listed at $799.99. A 24 in. model belongs over a 24 in. range. Over a 30 in. range it would leave the outer edges of the cooktop uncovered.
How much space does an over the range microwave need above the stove?
An over the range microwave needs a 30 in. wide opening and enough height between the cooktop and the cabinet over it. Whirlpool's dimension guide for the YWMMS3130RZ sets out these figures for a kitchen with 36 in. counters.
| Measurement | Whirlpool's figure |
|---|---|
| Width of the cabinet opening | 30 in. minimum |
| Floor to cooking surface | 36 in., typical |
| Cooking surface to the bottom of the upper cabinet | 30 in., typical |
| Floor to the bottom of the upper cabinet | 66 in. minimum |
| Wall on the door-hinge side | 5 in. from the microwave |
| Load the wall and cabinet must hold | 150 lb, microwave plus cabinet and contents |
Frigidaire's installation instructions give the same 66 in. from the floor, measured to the top of the microwave. They also cap the upper cabinet's depth at 13 in., doors included. Samsung's sheet for its slim model allows ranges up to 36 in. wide under the 30 in. opening.
Under a cabinet 30 in. above the cooktop, the 17 1/8 in. Whirlpool leaves 12 7/8 in. of clear space. The 10 5/16 in. low profile Whirlpool leaves 19 11/16 in., nearly 7 in. more. These labels say minimum and typical, so I'd read the sheet for the exact model before anyone cuts a hole or moves a cabinet.
Low profile over-the-range microwaves: shorter, deeper and smaller inside
A low profile over-the-range microwave is a shorter version, about 10 to 12 in. tall instead of 16 to 18. Merit listed 12 low profile or slim models on November 1. Whirlpool calls its version a low profile microwave hood combination.
Standard height over-the-range microwave, 16 to 18 in.
The standard models in the table hold 1.7 to 2.1 cu. ft. The Whirlpool YWMMS3130RZ is 9 1/2 in. tall inside with a 12 in. turntable, by its dimension guide. The trade is less room over the burners: about 12 to 13 in. under a cabinet set 30 in. up.
Low profile over-the-range microwave, 10 to 12 in.
The low profile models in the table hold 1.1 to 1.3 cu. ft. The Samsung slim is 6 15/16 in. tall inside, so a tall mug or a deep casserole dish may not fit. In return there's 18 in. or more above the burners, and the deeper body reaches further over the front of the cooktop. What's safe to put inside is a separate matter, and makers disagree about foil.
In this table, low profile costs more for the same width. The cheapest one is $499.99, against $449.99 for the standard Whirlpool, and it holds less food. That gap isn't fixed across the site: our Midea 1.2 cu. ft. slim is listed at $399.99, carried at Campbell River and Port Alberni.
Upper cabinet height and depth above an over-the-range microwave
The upper cabinet above an over-the-range microwave is usually a short one, because the microwave fills the space below it. With the cabinet bottom at 66 in. and an 8 ft. ceiling of 96 in., there's 30 in. left for the cabinet and any trim. That cabinet also carries weight: the microwave is screwed up into its bottom shelf as well as hung on the wall.
Frigidaire's 13 in. depth limit exists so air can move through the top vent; a deeper cabinet means spacing the microwave out from the wall. For the YWMMS3130RZ, Whirlpool allows an upper cabinet 12 to 14 in. deep with the supplied plate, or 14 to 15 in. with an optional bump-out kit. Whirlpool's sheet for its low profile model lists a minimum cutout of 30 by 12 in.
A standard microwave sticks out past the cabinet doors, and some people don't like the look. KitchenAid makes a flush version that lines up with the cabinet fronts; our Campbell River listing for the 30 in. KitchenAid flush model is $1,299.99. It's the same planning job as a built-in versus freestanding wine cooler: the opening decides more than the appliance does.
Over-the-range microwave venting: CFM, recirculating, and a range hood
CFM means cubic feet per minute, the volume of air the fan moves on its top speed. The over-the-range microwaves in our table run from 300 to 550 CFM. Health Canada found particulate matter, tiny airborne bits of food, fat and oil, can reach 65 times background levels after cooking. Its factsheet on cooking and indoor air says running the hood on high (300 cubic feet a minute) can cut exposure by more than 80% compared with slower speeds.
A separate range hood is the other route. It does only the venting, and the microwave moves to the counter or a wall cabinet, which means choosing another type of microwave. If the cooktop is wider than 30 in, compare range hood widths before settling on a microwave.
What is a recirculating vent on a microwave?
A recirculating vent pulls air through grease filters and a charcoal filter, then blows it back into the kitchen instead of outside. Whirlpool ships the YWMMS3130RZ set up this way. It catches grease and some smell, and that grease sits on the filters until the microwave gets its next clean. The steam stays in the room, though, and Health Canada links cooking moisture to mould. Venting outside means a duct up through the cabinet or out the back wall. Samsung's slim model can be set for top, back or recirculating. I'd duct it outside if the wall allows.
Mounting plate and electrical requirements for an over-the-range microwave
An over-the-range microwave hangs on a mounting plate fixed to the wall, then gets screwed up into the cabinet above. Whirlpool's guide wants the plate on at least one 2 x 4 stud. Frigidaire's instructions add toggle bolts where no stud lines up. Frigidaire also rules out an island or peninsula, since the unit has to fix to both a wall and a top cabinet.
Power comes from a grounded outlet inside the cabinet above, and the cord runs up through a hole in the cabinet bottom. Whirlpool asks for 120 V, 60 Hz on a 15 or 20 A fused supply and recommends a time-delay fuse or a dedicated circuit. Frigidaire's instructions call for a dedicated circuit and rule out extension cords. If the outlet isn't there yet, that's electrical work. Technical Safety BC lists installing or moving light switches or electrical outlets among the jobs that need a homeowner permit. The same list names connecting permanently installed equipment such as an over-range microwave or hood. Strata owners can't get a homeowner permit and must hire a licensed contractor.
The makers' instructions run in roughly this order, and Frigidaire and Samsung both recommend two people for the lift.
- Check the space. Confirm the 30 in. width, the 66 in. height and a cabinet depth within the maker's limit.
- Find the studs. Mark the centre line of the 30 in. space on the wall.
- Tape up the wall template. It goes on the centre line, touching the bottom of the cabinet.
- Drill and fix the plate. Wood screws go into a stud, toggle bolts everywhere else.
- Drill the cabinet. A second template under the cabinet marks the bolt holes and the hole for the cord.
- Set the vent. Turn the blower for outside venting or leave it on recirculating before the unit goes up.
- Hang it. Hook the back onto the plate, tilt it up, and fasten it from inside the cabinet before plugging in.
Where an over-the-range microwave falls short
An over-the-range microwave is a compromise between a microwave and a hood, and the hood side gives up the most. Health Canada recommends a hood that reaches fully over the burners. A standard unit about 16 in. deep covers the back burners better than the front ones. Health Canada's factsheet also suggests using back burners instead of front burners.
Recirculating models also send the steam back into the kitchen, and Health Canada's exposure figure is for the fan on high, not on its low speed.
Is it worth repairing an over-the-range microwave?
A door that's bent or won't close is a stop sign. Health Canada says not to use an oven with a damaged door, and to hire qualified service technicians for all adjustments and repairs. Merit backs the maker's warranty, but appliances work differently from furniture. Our warranty terms for appliances say to start an appliance claim with the maker, or call the Campbell River or Port Alberni store it came from. The furniture side is in how maker warranties work for our furniture. Out of warranty, I'd set the repair quote against a new unit. The lowest over-the-range price on our site on November 1 was $299.99, for a Midea special order.
Spec sheets behind these microwave dimensions
- Whirlpool, Dimension guide W11698726B for the YWMMS3130R* and sibling microwaves, checked November 2026.
- Whirlpool, WML55011HS low profile microwave hood combination specification sheet, checked November 2026.
- LG, MVEF1323F low profile over-the-range microwave specification sheet, checked November 2026.
- LG, MVEL2125X over-the-range microwave specification sheet, checked November 2026.
- Samsung Electronics Canada, ME11A7710DG and ME11A7710DS specification sheet, checked November 2026.
- Frigidaire, Over the Range Microwave Oven installation instructions (FMOS1746BB), checked November 2026.
- Health Canada, Factsheet: Cooking and indoor air quality, checked November 2026.
- Health Canada, Microwave ovens: Everyday things that emit radiation, checked November 2026.
- Technical Safety BC, Homeowner Electrical Permits, checked November 2026.
- Merit Home Furniture's live listings, prices and store availability, read November 1, 2026.
Asking about an over-the-range microwave in Campbell River or Port Alberni
From Duncan, I send people to our two appliance stores, and Port Alberni is the nearer drive from the Cowichan Valley. Three numbers make the call quick: the width between the cabinets, the height from the cooktop to the cabinet bottom, and the cabinet's depth. It's worth asking which units are up to look at, and nobody will follow you around.
- Our Campbell River store is at 1300 A Homewood Rd, (250) 286-0868
- Our Port Alberni store is at 2935 Third Ave, (250) 724-6644
Special orders are taken by phone at (250) 746-5527, the number on those product pages. Appliance delivery and installation terms are still being confirmed, so ask the store whether hanging the microwave is part of it. If you're weighing which store is closer, here's our four showrooms and the towns each one serves.
Port Alberni appliances, (250) 724-6644 or Campbell River appliances, (250) 286-0868
Every model is in the full set of microwave listings, and our other guides to buying and fitting appliances sit on one page.