You need a cooker hood that is at least as wide as your hob. For a 60cm hob, that means a 60cm hood or wider. For a 90cm hob, choose a 90cm hood or wider. Then check three more things: the extraction rate (how much air it moves), the mounting height above the hob, and the space you have for it.
Most people stop at width. That’s the mistake. A hood can match your hob perfectly and still leave a steamy, greasy kitchen if the airflow is too weak or it’s fitted too high.
This guide covers the full picture. You’ll find a size chart, a simple way to work out extraction power, and tips for compact London flats and open-plan kitchens.
Quick answer:
Venting: ducted to outside is better than recirculating..
Width: at least the width of your hob. Slightly wider is better.
Extraction rate: kitchen volume × 10, as a starting point, in m³/h.
Height: follow the manual. Often around 65–75cm above electric or induction hobs, and higher for gas.
What Size Cooker Hood Do I Need for My Hob?
Match the hood width to the hob width, or go wider. A hood narrower than the hob leaves the outer burners uncovered, so steam and grease escape into the room.
Steam and smoke rise and spread sideways. A wider hood catches more of that. If you have room, going 10cm wider than the hob is a sensible upgrade, not a requirement.
Cooker hood size chart (UK)
| Hob width | Minimum hood width | Better option if space allows |
|---|---|---|
| 50–60cm | 60cm | 70cm or 90cm |
| 70cm | 70cm | 80cm or 90cm |
| 80cm | 80cm | 90cm |
| 90cm | 90cm | 100cm |
| 100cm (range cooker) | 100cm | 110cm or 120cm |
This is general guidance. Always check the hood and hob manuals before you buy.
What size hood for a 60cm hob?
A 60cm hood is the minimum. It’s the most common size in UK kitchens and fits standard 60cm wall cabinets. If your layout allows, a 70cm or 90cm hood captures more steam from the outer rings.
What size hood for a 70cm or 80cm hob?
Choose 70cm or 80cm as a minimum. These hobs are common with induction. Hoods in these widths are less common, so many people go up to 90cm.
What size hood for a 90cm or 100cm hob?
Choose 90cm or 100cm to match. Wide hobs and range cookers produce more heat and steam. They also need a stronger extraction rate, not just a wider hood.
What Size Built-in Hood Do I Need?
A built-in integrated hood is concealed inside a wall cabinet. Sizing for built-in hoods involves two measurements:
- The hood unit width — must match or be slightly smaller than the internal width of the wall cabinet housing it
- The cabinet internal depth — must be sufficient to accommodate the hood motor and body (typically 280mm to 350mm internal depth required)
Built-in hoods are available in 50cm, 60cm and 90cm widths. The 60cm built-in hood is the most commonly installed in London — particularly in premium kitchen renovations in Chelsea, Kensington, Fulham and Islington where a completely clean, minimal kitchen aesthetic is the priority.
Always check the internal cabinet dimensions before purchasing a built-in hood. Many standard wall cabinets in London kitchens are not deep enough internally to accommodate a built-in hood motor without modification. Our engineers assess this at booking.
How to Measure for a Cooker Hood in London — Step by Step
Getting the measurements right before booking cooker hood installation in London saves time and avoids the cost of returning a wrongly-sized hood.
Step 1 — Measure your hob width
Measure the full external width of your hob in centimetres from edge to edge. This is your minimum hood width. A 60cm hob needs at minimum a 60cm hood.
Step 2 — Measure the available wall width
Measure the width of clear wall space above your hob. In some London kitchens, particularly galley kitchens and smaller terrace conversions, the wall space above the hob is limited by a doorframe, window or adjacent cabinet. Your hood cannot be wider than the available wall space.
Step 3 — Measure the cabinet above the hob (for visor or built-in hoods)
If you are installing a visor or built-in hood, measure:
- External cabinet width — to confirm the hood will fit between adjoining cabinets
- Internal cabinet width — the space inside the cabinet where the hood sits
- Internal cabinet depth — must be at least 280mm for most built-in hood motors
Step 4 — Measure the mounting height
Measure the vertical distance from your hob surface to the underside of the wall cabinet (for visor hoods) or to the intended mounting point on the wall (for chimney hoods).
The correct installation height for a cooker hood above a gas hob is 65cm to 75cm. Above an electric or induction hob, 45cm to 65cm is acceptable. This measurement tells you whether there is enough space for the hood model you have selected.
Step 5 — Measure the ceiling height (for chimney hoods only)
Measure from the floor to the ceiling. Then subtract the height of the chimney hood base unit (typically 50cm to 60cm) and the mounting height above the hob. The chimney column must bridge the remaining gap to the ceiling. Check that the chimney column sections of your chosen hood model can extend to cover this distance.
Should a Cooker Hood Be Wider Than the Hob?
Yes — wider is always better for extraction performance, but it is not always necessary or practical in London kitchens.
A wider hood captures fumes before they spread outward, which means less grease on nearby surfaces and better overall kitchen air quality. The ideal is for the hood to overhang the hob by 5cm to 10cm on each side.
However, in many London kitchens — particularly in compact flats in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham and similar inner-city areas — there is simply no room for a wider hood. The hob sits between two wall cabinets with no space for overhang. In these cases, a same-width hood is absolutely fine and functions well provided it is mounted at the correct height.
Can a Cooker Hood Be Smaller Than the Hob?
Technically yes, but it should be avoided where possible. A hood that is narrower than the hob will miss fumes at the outer burners, leaving grease, moisture and odours to settle on your ceiling and walls.
In practice, a 60cm hood on a 60cm hob is the absolute minimum for effective extraction. Going smaller — for example, fitting a 50cm hood on a 60cm hob — is not recommended and will result in noticeably poor extraction performance, particularly when using the outer burners on the hob.
Cooker Hood Sizing for London Property Types
London properties vary significantly in kitchen size and layout. Here is how cooker hood sizing typically plays out across different property types:
Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses (N, E, SE, SW London)
The most common London property type. Usually has a standard 60cm hob. A 60cm chimney hood or 60cm visor hood is the correct size. High ceilings (2.7m to 3m) mean chimney column length must be checked.
Purpose-built flats (E1, E3, E6, SE postcodes)
Often have compact kitchens with a 50cm or 60cm hob. A 50cm or 60cm visor hood is the most practical choice — compact, fits under the existing cabinet and requires no wall drilling.
New-build apartments (across all London boroughs)
Usually fitted with a 60cm hob. May already have a built-in integrated hood. Replacement must match the original cabinet dimensions exactly — measure internal cabinet depth carefully.
Large family homes (SW, SE, W London)
Frequently have a 90cm range cooker or a 90cm five or six-burner hob. A 90cm chimney hood or 90cm built-in hood is required. Core drilling through an external wall for ducted extraction is common and recommended for range cooker installations.
Listed buildings and conservation areas (Chelsea, Kensington, Camden, Islington)
All hood types can be installed. Ducted installation requiring core drilling through external walls may need listed building consent — always check with your local London borough planning department before drilling.
Extraction Rate — How Powerful Does My Hood Need to Be?
Hood size and extraction power are separate but related. The correct extraction rate for your London kitchen is calculated as:
Kitchen volume (m³) × 10 = minimum extraction rate in m³/hour
For example, a typical London kitchen measuring 3m × 3m × 2.5m ceiling height has a volume of 22.5m³. Multiply by 10 = a minimum extraction rate of 225m³/hour.
Most standard 60cm hoods sold in London provide 350m³/h to 650m³/h, which exceeds the minimum for average-sized London kitchens. For range cookers and larger hobs, look for a minimum of 700m³/h to 900m³/h.
Cooker Hood Size — Common Mistakes in London Kitchens
These are the sizing mistakes our engineers see most often during London cooker hood installations:
- Buying a visor hood before measuring the wall cabinet — the hood does not fit inside the cabinet, or the cabinet is narrower than expected
- Choosing a chimney hood with a short chimney column — the column does not reach the ceiling in a Victorian terrace with 2.8m ceilings
- Fitting a 50cm hood on a 60cm hob — outer burner fumes escape the extraction zone entirely
- Ignoring the internal cabinet depth for built-in hoods — the motor body physically does not fit inside the cabinet
- Mounting the hood too high above the hob — extraction efficiency drops significantly above 75cm on gas hobs
Cooker Hood Size Guide — Quick Reference
| Kitchen type | Hob size | Recommended hood | Best hood type |
|---|---|---|---|
| London flat | 50cm | 50cm–60cm | Visor hood |
| London flat | 60cm | 60cm | Visor hood |
| London terrace | 60cm | 60cm | Chimney hood |
| London terrace | 90cm | 90cm | Chimney hood |
| Premium kitchen | 60cm | 60cm | Built-in hood |
| Premium kitchen | 90cm | 90cm | Built-in hood |
| Range cooker | 90cm–100cm | 90cm–100cm | Chimney hood |
Frequently Asked Questions
What size cooker hood do I need for a 60cm hob?
You need a minimum 60cm cooker hood for a 60cm hob. A 60cm hood is the correct match — it covers the full hob width and captures fumes across all four burners. If your wall space allows, a 70cm hood gives marginally better capture at the edges, but 60cm is the standard and works well in the vast majority of London kitchens.
What size extractor hood do I need for a 90cm hob?
You need a 90cm cooker hood for a 90cm hob. Never fit a 60cm hood on a 90cm hob — the outer burners will be completely outside the extraction zone. A 90cm chimney hood is the most commonly installed solution for 90cm hobs and range cookers in London.
Should a cooker hood be wider than the hob?
Yes, wider is better — but not always necessary. The ideal is for the hood to overhang the hob by 5cm to 10cm on each side. However, in many London kitchens where space is limited, a same-width hood is perfectly functional provided it is mounted at the correct height (65cm to 75cm above a gas hob).
Can a cooker hood be smaller than the hob?
It can fit, but extraction performance will be noticeably poor. Fumes from the outer burners will bypass the hood entirely. A hood should always be at minimum the same width as the hob — never smaller. This applies to all hood types installed in London.
What is the standard cooker hood size in the UK?
The standard cooker hood size in the UK is 60cm. This matches the standard 60cm four-burner hob found in the majority of UK and London kitchens. 90cm is the second most common size, used with range cookers and larger hob formats.
What size visor hood do I need?
Measure your wall cabinet width first — the visor hood must fit inside the cabinet. Then confirm the cabinet is at least as wide as your hob. For most London kitchens, a 60cm visor hood is correct. For compact 50cm hob kitchens, a 50cm visor hood. For range cooker setups with a 90cm wall cabinet, a 90cm visor hood.
How do I measure for a cooker hood?
Measure your hob width (external edge to edge). This is your minimum hood width. For visor hoods, also measure the internal width and depth of the wall cabinet above the hob. For chimney hoods, measure the ceiling height. For all hood types, measure the vertical distance from hob surface to intended hood mounting point — this must be 65cm to 75cm for gas hobs.
How wide should a cooker hood be?
At minimum, the same width as your hob. Ideally, 10cm to 20cm wider than the hob — 5cm to 10cm overhang on each side. In practice, most London kitchens use a same-width hood due to space constraints between wall cabinets, which is perfectly acceptable.
What is the best cooker hood size for a small London kitchen?
For a small London kitchen with a 50cm or 60cm hob, a 60cm visor hood is the best choice. It is compact, fits under an existing wall cabinet, requires no chimney column and installs quickly. The 50cm visor hood is also available for kitchens where the wall cabinet above the hob is only 50cm wide.
Does cooker hood height affect extraction?
Yes — significantly. The correct height is 65cm to 75cm above a gas hob and 45cm to 65cm above an electric or induction hob. Mounting a hood higher than 75cm above a gas hob reduces extraction efficiency substantially. Our engineers always set the correct mounting height to manufacturer specification on every London installation.
Conclusion — Get Your Hood Size Right Before You Buy
The right cooker hood size for your London kitchen comes down to four things: your hob width, your available wall or cabinet space, your ceiling height (for chimney hoods) and the depth of your wall cabinet (for visor and built-in hoods). Get those four measurements right and choosing the correct size hood is straightforward.
The most common setup in London — a 60cm hob with a 60cm cooker hood at 65cm to 70cm mounting height — works well in the vast majority of kitchens across the city, from Victorian terraces in Hackney to purpose-built flats in Tower Hamlets. The key is measuring first and fitting correctly.
If you are unsure about any of the measurements for your London property, WhatsApp us on +44 7912 100949 before you buy the hood. We advise on the right size, the right type and the right extraction mode for your kitchen — free of charge, before you book installation.