Can a hood be narrower than the gas stove?

Technically yes, but it is not recommended. A narrower hood will miss a significant portion of the smoke and grease rising from the outer burners, leading to more residue on cabinets and ceilings. Most building codes and manufacturer guidelines require the hood to be at least as wide as the cooking surface.

What is the best height for a hood above a gas stove?

The general recommendation is 24 to 30 inches from the burner grates to the bottom of the hood. Always follow the specific range given in your hood's installation manual, as some models have different requirements. Local building codes may also set a minimum clearance.

How do I measure if my stove is not a standard width?

Use the same method: measure the full width of the cooktop from outer edge to outer edge. Then look for a hood that is that width or wider. For non-standard sizes like 24-inch or 48-inch stoves, you may need to order a custom hood or use a wall-mounted model with adjustable width.

Does the hood depth matter for measurement?

Yes. The hood's depth should cover the front burners, typically meaning it extends at least as far forward as the stove's front edge. Most hoods are 18 to 20 inches deep, which works for standard stoves. Measure your stove's depth and compare it to the hood's depth to ensure proper coverage.

How to Measure for a Kitchen Hood Over a Gas Stove

Start With the Stove's Width, Not the Cabinets

The first measurement you need is the width of the gas stove itself, taken from the outer edges of its cooktop. Use a metal tape measure and run it across the front of the stove, from the left side to the right side. Do not measure the countertop or the cabinets beside the stove, because those can be wider or narrower than the actual cooking surface.

Standard gas stoves come in three common widths: 30 inches, 36 inches, and 48 inches. In most U.S. kitchens, a 30-inch stove is the norm, but you should always verify with your own tape measure. If you are replacing an existing hood, also note the width of the current hood, but treat that as a reference only, not as the target, because the previous installation may have been undersized.

Write this number down before you move on. You will use it to pick the hood width, so it is the foundation of the entire measurement process. If your stove is an odd size, such as a 24-inch apartment model or a 60-inch commercial-style range, the same rules apply, but your hood options will be more limited.

A person measuring the width of a gas stove cooktop with a metal tape measure

Choose a Hood Width That Covers the Entire Cooktop

The hood must be at least as wide as the stove, and wider is better. A hood that matches the stove width exactly, such as a 30-inch hood over a 30-inch stove, meets the minimum requirement. However, most ventilation professionals recommend a hood that is wider than the stove, ideally by 3 to 6 inches on each side, to capture the rising smoke and grease that spread outward from the burners.

For a 30-inch stove, that means a 36-inch hood is the preferred choice. For a 36-inch stove, look at a 42-inch hood. If a wider hood will not fit because of surrounding cabinets or a wall, then a hood equal to the stove width is acceptable, but you may notice more grease residue on nearby surfaces, especially with high-output burners.

Measure the available space between the cabinets or walls on either side of the stove to confirm that a wider hood will physically fit. The hood's outer casing needs clearance, and some models have side panels or trim that add a few inches beyond the stated width. Check the manufacturer's spec sheet for the exact external dimensions before you commit.

Stove width	Minimum hood width	Recommended hood width
24 inches	24 inches	30 inches
30 inches	30 inches	36 inches
36 inches	36 inches	42 inches
48 inches	48 inches	54 inches

Measure the Mounting Height Above the Cooking Surface

Mounting height is the vertical distance from the top of the stove's burner grates to the bottom edge of the hood. This is a critical measurement because it affects both capture efficiency and safety. For gas stoves, the recommended clearance is typically 24 to 30 inches, but you must check your hood's manual and your local building code, as some jurisdictions require a specific minimum.

To measure, place the tape measure vertically from the grate surface up to where the bottom of the hood will sit. If you are installing a new hood, mark this height on the wall with a pencil. If you are checking an existing installation, measure from the grates to the underside of the hood to see if it falls within the acceptable range.

A hood mounted too high loses suction power because smoke and steam have time to disperse before reaching the intake. A hood mounted too low can be a head hazard and may interfere with cooking. If your hood has an adjustable height range, aim for the middle of that range, around 27 inches, as a practical starting point, then adjust based on your own height and cooking habits.

Tape measure showing the distance from a gas stove grate to the bottom of a range hood

Account for Ductwork and Cabinet Clearance

Before finalizing your measurements, check the space above the hood where the duct will run. For a ducted hood, you need a clear path from the hood's exhaust outlet to the outside wall or roof. Measure the vertical distance from the top of the hood to the ceiling or cabinet soffit, and confirm that there is enough room for the duct elbow and any transition pieces.

Also measure the depth of the cabinets beside the stove. Standard upper cabinets are 12 to 13 inches deep, while the hood itself is usually about 18 to 20 inches deep. The hood will protrude further than the cabinets, which is normal, but you should make sure the hood's front edge clears the cabinets and does not block the doors from opening fully.

If you are installing a ductless (recirculating) hood, you do not need exterior ductwork, but you still need clearance for the charcoal filters and the recirculation vent, which typically exits through a grille on the top or front of the hood. Check the hood's specifications for its minimum clearance above the cooktop and its required distance from any combustible surfaces.

Measure from the top of the hood to the ceiling for duct clearance.
Measure the depth of adjacent cabinets and compare to the hood's depth.
Check for any obstructions like crown molding, light fixtures, or pipes in the installation path.
Confirm the hood's power cord or hardwiring location matches your electrical box position.

Worked Example: Measuring for a 30-Inch Gas Stove

Let us walk through a complete measurement for a typical kitchen. Suppose you have a 30-inch gas stove with a cooktop that measures exactly 29.75 inches across. The first step is to record that number. Since the stove is 30 inches class, the minimum hood width is 30 inches, but you decide to go with a 36-inch hood for better capture.

Next, you measure the space between the upper cabinets on either side of the stove. The gap is 37 inches, so a 36-inch hood will fit with 0.5 inch of clearance on each side. You check the hood's spec sheet and see that the external width is 35.75 inches, which gives you a bit more breathing room. You mark the mounting height at 27 inches above the burner grates.

Finally, you measure from the top of the hood location to the ceiling, which is 18 inches. The duct kit requires 10 inches of vertical space for the transition and elbow, so you have 8 inches to spare. You also confirm that the electrical outlet is positioned above the hood's junction box location. With these four measurements, you can confidently order the hood and schedule the installation.