The best distance for an over the range microwave is usually 13 to 18 inches above the stove top. This space keeps the microwave safe from heat and gives you enough room to cook without feeling crowded.
Think of it like this. If the microwave is too low, it gets hit with heat and steam every time you cook. It also makes it harder to lift hot bowls in and out. If it is too high, shorter people may have trouble reaching it safely. Sticking to the 13 to 18 inch range keeps everything comfortable and easy to use.
Most installers aim for the bottom of the microwave to sit about 54 inches from the floor. This works well with standard stoves and cabinets. If your cabinets are custom or you are tall or short, you can adjust a little, but stay close to the safe range.
Good spacing also helps the microwave vent work better. It needs clear room to pull smoke and steam away from the stove.
So measure twice before you drill. A few inches can make a big difference in how safe and simple your kitchen feels.
Why Clearance Matters for Over the Range Microwaves
I learned the hard way that clearance above a stove is not just some extra measurement contractors make up to sound fancy. Years ago, in my old kitchen, I installed an over the range microwave without double checking the height. I figured it looked good, so it must be fine. After a few months of simmering soups and frying chicken, the bottom panel of the microwave started to yellow. I thought it was grease at first, but it turned out to be heat damage.
The space between the stove and the microwave decides how well heat can move away from the appliance. When the microwave sits too close, all that steam, heat, and grease goes right into it. Later I learned that ventilation only works if the microwave is mounted at the right height.
Clearance also matters for safety. Hot pots can reach higher than you think. One time I bumped a stock pot against the microwave because it was mounted too low. It scared me more than I want to admit. A low microwave also means your hands are squeezed into a tight space, which makes burns more likely.
A low installation also overwhelms the vent fan. Steam rises too quickly, and the fan cannot catch it. Airflow needs space. Once I learned that and fixed the height, ventilation improved instantly.
Clearance also protects the microwave itself. Heat and electronics do not mix. The lower the microwave is, the faster it ages.
When all these things finally clicked for me, I realized clearance is not optional. It affects the whole kitchen.
Standard Recommended Height Above the Stove
Most people follow the general guideline of keeping the microwave 13 to 18 inches above the stove. Over the years, I have noticed that the sweet spot is usually around 16 to 17 inches. When I raised my own microwave from 14 to 17 inches, the entire stove area felt more open and comfortable.
Gas and electric stoves behave differently. Gas flames rise faster and hotter, which often means you need more clearance. Electric stoves tend to allow a slightly lower height.
Comfort also matters. I am not tall, so a slightly lower microwave works better for me. Taller people might prefer raising the unit to avoid bumping their head or blocking their view.
Every microwave brand has different recommendations. I once installed a microwave too low because I ignored the manual, and the warranty ended up void. Since then, I always check the installation guide first.
Getting the height right is all about balancing safety, comfort, and ventilation. Once you find the right spot, everything just feels smoother.
Minimum Clearance Requirements from Manufacturers
The first time I installed a microwave, I barely skimmed the manual. I figured the instructions were just suggestions. I was wrong. Manufacturers list clearance rules for a reason.
Different microwaves handle heat in different ways. Some have strong vents or thicker heat resistant bottoms. Others need more breathing room. One microwave I worked with required a minimum of 15 inches. Anything less and the internal components would overheat.
Ignoring the manual also affects warranties. I once installed a microwave lower than the manual required. When a part broke later, the technician took one look at it and said the warranty was void.
Vent design also differs by brand. Some pull air from the front, others from the bottom. A microwave installed too low will clog the filters faster.
Another thing people get wrong is reusing old mounting brackets. Just because the previous microwave fit does not mean the new one will. I once helped someone install a new microwave that sat two inches lower than their old model. The only fix was raising everything.
The manufacturer’s minimum clearance is not optional. It is the lowest safe placement they have tested. Anything below that leads to performance and safety problems.
Clearance Rules for Gas Stoves vs Electric Stoves
When I switched from electric to gas, I learned quickly how different the heat feels. Gas flames rise higher and hotter. With my first gas stove, I boiled a pot of water, and the heat almost touched the bottom of the microwave. That was when I realized gas stoves need more space.
Electric stoves offer more flexibility because the heat is more controlled. I once had a microwave mounted 14 inches above an electric stove, and it worked fine for years.
Gas stoves produce far more steam and grease. The vent fan struggles more when the microwave is too low. I once fried chicken on a gas range and watched steam hit the microwave so fast the vent could not keep up.
High BTU burners also affect clearance. Some powerful burners need even more space than standard gas ranges.
After seeing these differences firsthand, I always follow one simple rule:
Gas equals more space.
Electric equals more flexibility.
Ventilation and Airflow Needs
I used to think the vent fan was just a bonus. But once I started cooking more often, I realized how important proper airflow really is.
Steam rises fast. If the microwave is too close, the fan gets overwhelmed. When my microwave was mounted too low, the steam hit the underside before the fan could pull it in. The whole kitchen filled with moisture every time I boiled water.
Once I raised the microwave, the vent finally worked the way it should. The filters stayed cleaner, and the kitchen no longer felt humid.
Steam and grease damage electronics over time. When moisture sneaks into the microwave, sensors and wiring start acting strange. I once had a microwave shut off mid use because the heat sensor tripped.
Good airflow also helps with smells. Before fixing the height, cooking smells lingered for hours. After raising the microwave, the vent caught most of the odor before it spread.
Ventilation needs space. When you get the clearance right, the difference is huge.
Safety Risks of Installing It Too Close
A microwave that sits too low is a real safety hazard. The underside gets dangerously hot. I learned this when I brushed my hand against it while stirring a pot.
Tall pots also become a problem. I once bumped a stock pot on the microwave and splashed boiling water on my wrist. It hurt, and it taught me how important proper clearance is.
Low microwaves collect grease faster. I once had grease drip from the underside while cooking. That is not only disgusting but also a fire risk.
Visibility gets worse too. When the microwave blocks your view of the back burners, accidents happen. I once grabbed a pot wrong because I could not see properly.
Steam burns are another big issue. Steam shoots up faster than you expect. When the microwave is too low, that steam hits your face.
A low microwave also ages faster due to constant heat exposure.
A couple inches too low creates an entire list of safety problems.
Problems with Installing It Too High
Installing a microwave too high is just as bad. I once mounted one too high for a neighbor. He needed a stool just to check his food. It was hilarious at first but annoying for him.
Lifting hot dishes becomes risky. I once lifted a big bowl of soup from a high microwave, and the awkward angle almost made me spill it.
The vent also loses efficiency when the unit sits too high. Steam escapes before the fan can catch it.
A high microwave also throws off the look of the kitchen. Cabinets seem out of alignment, and the space feels disconnected.
Maintenance becomes annoying too. The higher the microwave, the less likely people are to clean the vent filters. I once removed a filter that had not been cleaned in a year because the microwave was too high to reach comfortably.
Even head bumps become more likely. I smacked my forehead once because the microwave edge was higher than expected.
Too high is just as inconvenient and unsafe as too low.
How to Measure Proper Clearance in Your Kitchen
Measuring used to stress me out until I found a routine that works. The first thing I do is measure from the stove surface to the bottom of the upper cabinet. That number tells you what you are working with.
Next, I choose the clearance height based on the manual. Most microwaves want 13 to 18 inches. I usually aim for around 16 or 17.
The mounting bracket height is the next thing to measure. Using the included template changed everything for me. Before that, I guessed and got it wrong too many times.
If cabinets sit too low, you may need to raise or trim them. I have done both. Raising cabinets takes patience. Trimming takes courage.
I always use painter’s tape to mark the bottom of the microwave before drilling. Once, I skipped this step and drilled too high.
Centering is another important step. A slightly off center microwave looks wrong every time you cook.
A dry test fit before final installation saves a lot of trouble.
A few extra minutes of careful measuring prevents hours of frustration.
Adjusting Cabinets for Better Microwave Placement
Adjusting cabinets used to overwhelm me, but after doing it enough times, I got comfortable with it.
Sometimes the cabinet above the stove sits too low. In that case, you can raise it. I once removed every screw except one, and the cabinet almost fell on me. Now I always leave one screw in until I am fully ready.
Trimming the bottom of the cabinet is another option. I once helped a friend do this with a jigsaw. We cut off an inch, and the microwave fit perfectly.
Cabinet depth can also cause issues. If the cabinet is too shallow, the microwave may not sit flush. I once added a filler strip behind the bracket to fix this.
Cabinet width matters too. Some cabinets are not wide enough for modern microwaves. I once had to widen a cabinet opening by adjusting the trim.
Adjusting cabinets takes patience, but it makes a huge difference. When the cabinet height is right, the microwave fits naturally and works properly.
Local Codes and Building Regulations to Consider
The first time I skipped checking local codes, I paid for it. An inspector told me my microwave was too low, even though the manual said it was fine. Codes always win.
Some areas require a higher clearance above gas stoves than manufacturers recommend. I once had to raise a microwave after installation to meet local rules.
Other places require external venting instead of recirculating air. I once had to cut a wall open in a condo because of this rule.
High BTU stoves often require extra clearance. Inspectors check this too.
Electrical rules vary as well. Some areas require a dedicated circuit. I learned this after a dishwasher and microwave shared a line and failed inspection.
Permits are another surprise. Some cities require them for any appliance installation involving electrical work.
I once had to add a heat resistant panel under a cabinet because the local code required flame resistant materials.
Codes can feel frustrating, but they exist for good reasons. They keep your home safe and protect your investment.
Conclusion
After installing so many over the range microwaves, I learned that the distance between the microwave and the stove affects everything from safety to comfort. A few inches can be the difference between smooth airflow and constant overheating.
Clearance is not just a number. It shapes how your kitchen feels and how your microwave performs. A low microwave brings heat, burns, and grease problems. A high microwave makes lifting dishes difficult and reduces vent strength.
Taking time to measure carefully, follow the manual, and check local codes always pays off. When everything is installed at the right height, cooking feels easier and the kitchen works the way it should.
If you have your own stories or tricks from installing a microwave, share them. Every experience helps someone else avoid the same mistakes.