Proper ventilation is essential in every kitchen—not just for comfort, but also for health and safety.
Whether you’re dealing with smoke, steam, or lingering cooking odors, an exhaust fan plays a vital role in keeping your kitchen air clean and breathable.
But before choosing one, it’s important to understand the right size that fits your space and cooking habits.
To help you get started, here’s a simple kitchen exhaust fan size chart that shows the ideal fan size based on your kitchen and cooktop dimensions.
Kitchen Exhaust Fan Size Chart
Choosing the right size exhaust fan for your kitchen is easier with a quick reference.
Here’s a simple kitchen exhaust fan size chart to help you decide:
| Kitchen Size | Cooktop Width | Recommended Fan Size |
|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 80 sq ft) | 24″–30″ | 6″–9″ |
| Medium (81–150 sq ft) | 30″–36″ | 9″–12″ |
| Large (150+ sq ft) | 36″+ | 12″ or larger |
This guide is a starting point.
Always match your exhaust fan size to the cooktop size and room ventilation needs.
Is An Exhaust Fan Required In A Kitchen?
Yes, the exhaust fan is required in the kitchen.
In a kitchen, the exhaust fan serves a crucial function in regulating indoor air quality and protecting the family’s health.
It aids in the removal of odors and humidity and the replacement of stale kitchen air with fresh air.
While cooking is a crucial part of the kitchen or is necessary for everyone, it may also be dangerous.
Your stove might discharge potentially harmful gases and ultrafine particles into the air when you cook.
It will most likely circulate in the kitchen, causing various health problems if not removed.
How Many Types Of Exhaust Fans Are There?
There are various types of exhaust fans on the market for multiple uses.
Let’s have a look at the most frequently used exhaust fans.
Ceiling Mounted Exhaust Fan
This fan style is typically mounted to the kitchen’s roof, with no other support, such as a wall or cabinet.
It should be installed just above the cooktop to allow air to circulate freely around the kitchen.
Wall Mounted Exhaust Fan
This Exhaust fan is attached to the wall, and it can easily remove dusty air from your kitchen.
On the contrary, it doesn’t need any specific installation method.
Exterior Exhaust Fan
This exhaust fan looks similar to a wall-mounted exhaust fan.
However, it’s usually used outside.
It works by drawing indoor air and expelling it out in an environmentally responsible manner.
Inline Exhaust Fan
This type of exhaust fan is mainly used to remove heat and moisture from a large area because it can move a large air volume.
In addition, they are paired with exhaust ducts.
Cabinet Hood Exhaust Fan
This exhaust fan is directly beneath a wall cabinet in this ventilation system.
Its ductwork runs through the ceiling or the nearest wall’s chase.
It can also be fitted with a shallow hood to make it easier to remove from the cabinet.
Built-In Exhaust Fan Cabinet for Kitchen Dimensions
If you’re opting for a built-in exhaust fan inside a kitchen cabinet, the typical cabinet should have an internal height of 12 to 18 inches and a minimum depth of 12 inches to accommodate compact fan models.
Always ensure the cabinet has space for duct routing—either upward or rearward—depending on your kitchen layout.
To ensure optimal airflow and safe installation, always measure your exhaust fan cabinet for kitchen dimensions before purchasing.
Exhaust Fan Small Size for Kitchen
A large exhaust fan will move more air than a small exhaust fan.
However, the small exhaust fan is easy to use and can be installed easily.
The ideal size for a small size kitchen is 9 inches.
Other aspects to consider include the fan’s location; are you utilizing it to remove heat?
What is the source of the air?
Exhaust Fan For Big Kitchen Size
A large exhaust fan blows out more air than a small exhaust fan.
It quickly expels stale and heated air and has a higher suction force than a small exhaust fan.
As a result, it is thought to be the best option.
The ideal size for a big kitchen is 12 inches.
How Do I Calculate Duct Size For The Exhaust Fan?
The Calculation of duct size is concise.
To begin, carefully measure the velocity at a point in the exhaust duct.
The average velocity of the commonly used exhaust duct is 400 feet per minute.
The vent has an area of 35 square feet.
The exhaust duct area is multiplied by the average velocity to calculate 140 CFM exhaust fan airflow.
Exhaust Fan 9 Inch – Uses
The 9-inch exhaust fan is a joy in your kitchen because it is small but incredibly efficient and multifunctional.
There are wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted exhaust fans available.
A small-size exhaust fan is simple to install and clean.
Exhaust Fan 12 inch – Uses
The 12-inch exhaust fan can be attached in various locations, including :
- Workplaces
- Barns
- Industries
- Greenhouses
- Homes
- Kitchens
- Warehouses
The highly functional ventilation fan quickly removes dust, excess moisture, heat, and obnoxious odors from any room where it is mounted.
Exhaust Fan Size For Commercial Kitchen
The ideal-sized commercial exhaust fan varies from 150CFM to 300+ CFM per linear foot.
However, suppose you want to install the perfect-sized exhaust fan.
In that case, you must calculate the number of cubic feet in the commercial kitchen.
Then multiply the number of CFM by the number of air exchanges (15).
After that, divide it by 60 (per the number of minutes in an hour) needed to determine the appropriate exhaust fan size for your commercial kitchen.
This way, it can perform effectively to maintain your kitchen clean and smoke-free.
How Do I Choose An Exhaust Fan?
To choose the best exhaust fan for your kitchen, you need to consider five major factors:
- Static pressure
- Model
- Motor power
- Flow rate
- Loudness, noise which you can bear with
Considering these factors will help you select the best exhaust fan for you.
Sizing Up Fresh Air Fans for Kitchen
While exhaust fans remove air, fresh air fans bring clean outdoor air into your kitchen.
To size a fresh air fan correctly, calculate your kitchen’s cubic footage and determine how much new air is needed per hour.
A standard kitchen may need a fresh air fan delivering 100–300 CFM depending on cooking habits and ventilation needs.
Pairing a fresh air fan with an exhaust system ensures better indoor air quality.
Where Should A Kitchen Exhaust Fan Be Installed?
The location of exhaust fans can have an impact on the fan’s performance as well as the air quality in your kitchen.
A rattling noise and inadequate air movement can all result from an ineffective installation.
Installing a kitchen exhaust fan in the proper location in your kitchen can improve its performance.
Best Fan Location
You can install the exhaust fan on the front wall beside the stove or place it on the window opening for better functionality.
It can also be mounted directly above the cooktop to the ceilings and inside the cabinet.
Which Exhaust Fan Is Best For The Kitchen?
The fundamental purpose of any exhaust fan is to purify the air in your kitchen.
Fans that blow air outside the house perform best for this, as you might think.
According to our research, a wall-mounted exhaust fan is ideal for the kitchen.
It improves air circulation when cooking and lowers the impacts of steam, heat, fumes, humidity, and strong odors.
It also allows you to see well in a large workplace.
Exhaust Fan Size for Kitchen – FAQs
A kitchen fan with metal blades is ideal because it is easy to clean.
Suppose the exhaust fan is mounted on an external wall.
In that case, the plastic fan will wear out quickly due to the harsh weather conditions, so you won’t find it suitable for the kitchen.
A sone is a unit of sound that measures the loudness of a sound.
Sones are used to measure noise produced by fans found in kitchens.
A sone is roughly 1,000 Hz and has a sound level about 40 dB higher than a standard reference level.
Most exhaust fans have a noise rating of 6 to 10 sones.
The rotation of cubic feet of air the range hood exhausts per minute at full speed is measured in CFM.
The higher the CFM, the more air your hood exhausts from your kitchen.
For every 10,000 BTUs of your cooktop, you’ll need at least 100 CFM to power your range hood.
You have to evaluate CFM according to your need.
For Calculation of the volume of your kitchen.
Then, divide that number by 60 and multiply it by 15 to get the minimum cubic feet per minute for your hood.
The primary distinction between the two types of fans is in their usage.
An exhaust fan removes pollutants, foul odor, and toxic gaseous from the indoor air in a home or commercial kitchen.
In contrast, a ventilation fan brings fresh air into a room or kitchen from the outside.
The most common kitchen exhaust fan dimensions range from 4 inches to 12 inches in diameter. A 9-inch fan is ideal for average-sized kitchens, while 12-inch models suit larger, commercial-style cooking spaces. Always check your wall or window opening dimensions before installation, and make sure there’s enough clearance for airflow and safety.
Wrapping It Up
So, if you’re planning a kitchen upgrade—or even setting up a new one—don’t skip the exhaust fan.
It’s not just about getting rid of that burnt toast smell. A good exhaust fan clears out smoke, heat, steam, and even those invisible nasties that can mess with your air quality.
It helps you breathe easier, cook more comfortably, and keeps your kitchen cooler and cleaner.
Just remember: when picking one, don’t ignore the details—like motor power, noise level (aka sones!), and hood size.
Those little things make a big difference in performance and how easy it is to live with.
Happy cooking in a fresh, fume-free kitchen!
📌Related Read
05 Top Portable Kitchen Exhaust Fan
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Top 3 Wall Mounted Kitchen Exhaust Fans