What is the standard kitchen plinth height in the UK?

The standard UK kitchen plinth (kickboard) height is 150mm, which is designed to fit beneath base units set at a total height of 870mm (720mm unit + 150mm legs). Some manufacturers offer 100mm or 170mm options. Howdens, Wickes, B&Q and most major UK kitchen suppliers use 150mm as their standard height.

How long are standard plinth strips?

Standard kitchen plinth strips in the UK are 2.5 metres (2500mm) long. Some suppliers offer 3.0m lengths. Plinth is typically sold in individual strips rather than by the metre. When ordering, round up to whole strips and account for cutting waste — there will always be offcuts at corners and run ends.

How many plinth clips do I need?

Plinth clips should be spaced approximately every 500mm along the plinth run, with one clip at each end. For a typical 2.5m run, you would need 6 clips. Clips push onto the base unit adjustable legs and the plinth snaps into them, allowing easy removal for cleaning. Most clips are sold in packs of 10.

Can I fit a kickboard heater behind the plinth?

Yes, kickboard heaters (also called plinth heaters) fit in the void beneath base units. You need to cut an opening in the plinth, typically 500mm wide by 100mm high, and fit a grille. The heater connects to the central heating circuit or can be electric. Allow a 50mm clearance around the cutout. Kickboard heaters can produce 1-2 kW and are a good solution for kitchens without wall-mounted radiators.

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Kitchen Plinth Calculator — Strips, Clips & End Caps

Calculate kitchen plinth lengths, clips and end caps for base unit runs.

Number of Unit Runs

Separate runs of base units

Total Linear Run

Combined length of all plinth runs

Plinth Height

Standard is 150mm

Plinth MaterialPVC is most common for kitchens

How We Calculate This

This calculator determines how many plinth strips, clips, corner joints and end caps you need for your kitchen base unit runs.

How it works

Plinth strips: Total linear run divided by standard 2.5m strip length, rounded up
Clips: Spaced at the selected interval (default 500mm) along each run, plus one at each end
Corner joints: One plastic corner piece per internal or external corner
End caps: Fitted where plinth terminates against a wall or appliance
Cutting waste: Difference between purchased strip length and actual length needed

Standard UK plinths are 150mm high and 2.5m long. Clips attach to adjustable base unit legs and allow the plinth to be snapped on and off for cleaning access.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.