Mount your range hood 24 to 30 inches above the cooking surface
The standard mounting height for a range hood is 24 to 30 inches above your stovetop. This distance gives you enough clearance to work at the stove without hitting your head, while keeping the hood close enough to capture steam and cooking odors before they spread through your kitchen. Most building codes and appliance manufacturers specify this range, though some high-powered commercial hoods can sit slightly lower.
The exact height within that range depends on your stove type and the hood's power. A gas range with a powerful hood can sit at 24 inches; an electric range with a quieter hood often works better at 28 to 30 inches. If you are tall or have limited headroom, aim for the higher end. If your hood has a weak motor, moving it closer (within code limits) helps it work harder.
Measure from the top of your cooking surface — the burner grates on a gas stove or the cooktop surface on an electric range — straight up to the bottom of the hood. Do not measure from the counter; measure from where the heat and steam actually come from.
Key Takeaways
- Standard range hood height is 24 to 30 inches above your stovetop, measured from the burner grates or cooktop surface to the hood's bottom edge.
- Gas stoves can use the lower end (24 inches) because they produce more heat and steam; electric ranges often work better at 28 to 30 inches.
- Mounting too high reduces the hood's ability to capture cooking odors and steam before they spread into your kitchen.
- Mounting too low creates a safety hazard and can cause the hood to interfere with pots, pans, or your head while cooking.
- Check your hood's manual for the manufacturer's recommended height, as some models have specific requirements.
Why 24 to 30 inches matters
This range exists because of physics and safety. Heat and steam rise straight up from your stove in a column. If the hood is too far away, that column disperses into the room before the hood can pull it in. If the hood is too close, it blocks your view of the burners and creates a burn or collision risk.
At 24 to 30 inches, the hood sits in the sweet spot: close enough to capture the rising heat and odor, far enough to let you work safely. A hood mounted at 36 inches or higher will struggle to pull steam effectively, even if it has a powerful motor. A hood mounted at 18 inches or lower becomes a hazard — you will hit it with tall pots or your own head.
Gas stoves versus electric ranges
Gas stoves produce more heat and steam than electric ranges. A gas burner sends heat in all directions; an electric burner concentrates heat upward. Because of this difference, a gas stove can use a hood mounted at the lower end of the range (24 inches), while an electric range often needs the hood higher (28 to 30 inches) to avoid feeling cramped.
If you have a gas stove with a high-powered hood, 24 inches is standard. If you have an electric range with a standard-power hood, 28 to 30 inches gives you more headroom and still lets the hood work well. Check your hood's manual — some manufacturers list different heights for gas versus electric.
Island and peninsula hoods need more clearance
If your stove sits on an island or peninsula (not against a wall), your hood should be 28 to 36 inches above the cooking surface. Island hoods are open on all sides, so they need to be higher to pull air from every direction without creating a wind tunnel effect or blocking sightlines across the kitchen.
The higher mounting also prevents the hood from feeling cramped in an open space. A 24-inch island hood will feel too low and can interfere with movement around the stove. Aim for 30 to 36 inches on an island unless your hood's manual specifies otherwise.
How to measure and mark before installation
Measure up from the top of your burner grates or cooktop surface. Use a tape measure and a level. Mark the wall or cabinet at 24, 27, and 30 inches so you can see your options before drilling.
Stand at the stove and look up at each mark. At 24 inches, check whether tall pots will hit the hood and whether you have enough headroom. At 30 inches, check whether the hood feels too far away and whether you can still see the burners clearly. Most people find their comfort zone between 26 and 28 inches.
Once you have chosen a height, use a level to draw a horizontal line across the wall or cabinet. This line is where the top of the hood's mounting bracket will sit. Do not rely on eye judgment — a level ensures the hood hangs straight and functions properly.
Common installation mistakes
The most frequent error is mounting the hood too high. Homeowners often aim for 36 inches or more, thinking it will stay out of the way. Instead, it becomes ineffective — it cannot pull steam and odor before they spread into the kitchen. You end up with a hood that runs constantly and still does not clear the air.
The second mistake is measuring from the counter instead of from the burner surface. If your counter is 3 inches thick and you measure from the counter, you will install the hood 3 inches lower than intended. Always measure from the actual cooking surface.
A third mistake is ignoring the hood's manual. Some models have specific height requirements based on their motor power and duct design. A commercial-grade hood might need to sit at 20 inches; a low-power recirculating hood might need 30 inches. Read the manual before you drill.
What to do if your space does not fit the standard range
If your kitchen has low ceilings and you cannot fit a hood at 24 inches without hitting the ceiling, you have options. A low-profile or slim hood takes up less vertical space. A downdraft hood pulls air down and back instead of up, so it does not need to hang above the stove. A recirculating hood filters air and pushes it back into the kitchen instead of venting outside, so it can sit higher without losing effectiveness.
If you have a very high ceiling, a standard hood at 30 inches is fine — do not try to mount it higher just because you have the space. The hood's job is to capture cooking air, not to disappear into the ceiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mount my range hood higher than 30 inches?
You can, but it will not work as well. At 36 inches or higher, the hood struggles to pull steam and odor before they spread into your kitchen. If your ceiling is high, mount the hood at 30 inches and accept that the space above it is empty. Do not move it higher just to fill the gap.
What if my stove is under a cabinet?
If your stove sits under a cabinet or soffit, the hood must still be 24 to 30 inches above the burners. The cabinet above does not change this measurement. You may need an under-cabinet hood that mounts to the underside of the cabinet, or a wall-mounted hood on either side of the stove. Check your hood's manual for clearance requirements from the cabinet.
Does the hood height change if I have a microwave above my stove?
A microwave mounted above the stove changes the calculation. The microwave itself becomes the obstacle, and the hood must clear it. Measure from the burners to the bottom of the microwave, then subtract the microwave's depth. Most over-the-range microwaves sit at 13 to 16 inches above the stove, leaving little room for a separate hood. Many people use the microwave's built-in ventilation instead, or install a separate hood on the wall beside the stove.
What if I am very tall and a 30-inch hood feels too low?
If you are 6 feet or taller, a 30-inch hood may feel cramped. Try mounting at 30 inches first and cooking for a few days. If you consistently hit it or feel unsafe, move it to 32 inches — slightly above code, but workable if your hood's manual allows it. Beyond 32 inches, the hood's performance drops noticeably. A low-profile hood or a downdraft model may suit you better.
Does ductwork location affect the mounting height?
No. The ductwork runs behind or above the hood and does not change where the hood sits above the stove. Mount the hood at the correct height for your stove type, then run the duct from there. If your ductwork is in an awkward location, a flexible duct can route around it without lowering the hood.