Washing Machine Sizes, Types And Drum Capacity Explained

Buying a new washing machine starts with two practical questions: will it fit, and will it cope with your household’s laundry? This guide covers washing machine sizes and dimensions, the difference between freestanding and integrated models, front and top loaders, washer dryers, and how to pick a drum capacity in kg that suits the way you live.

Take a tape measure to the space before you start browsing. It saves a lot of disappointment on delivery day.

Standard Washing Machine Sizes And Dimensions

Most front-loading washing machines in the UK are made to fit a standard kitchen gap. According to Which?, the usual size is 85cm tall and 59.5 to 60cm wide.

Depth is the measurement that catches people out. It can vary from around 40cm to 70cm, and bigger drums generally mean deeper machines. Which? gives these average depths by drum size:

• 7kg: about 54cm
• 8kg: about 57cm
• 9kg and 10kg: about 58cm
• 11kg: about 62cm
• 12kg: about 64cm

Allow roughly an extra 7cm behind the machine for pipes and hoses. If your space is shallow, look specifically for slimmer-depth models towards the 40cm end of the range, bearing in mind they tend to have smaller drums.

Check the route into the room as well. A machine that fits the gap perfectly is no use if it will not pass through a narrow doorway, round a tight corner or down a hallway, so measure those too before you order.

How To Measure Up Before Comparing Washing Machine Sizes

Most delivery-day problems come down to one measurement taken in the wrong place. Take these before you look at a single model, and you can rule out machines that will never fit.

1. Width at the front and the back. Measure the gap at the front of the units and again at the back wall, as kitchen units are not always square. Use the narrower figure.
2. Height at the lowest point. Measure from the floor to the underside of the worktop where it is lowest. Most machines have adjustable feet, so check the machine fits with its feet wound right in.
3. Depth to the front of the units. Measure from the back wall to the front edge of the neighbouring cupboard doors, then take off the space needed for hoses behind the machine.
4. Taps, waste pipe and socket. If they sit directly behind the machine, they eat into the depth you have. A socket in a neighbouring cupboard is easier to reach and switch off.
5. Door swing and loading space. Check the door can open fully without hitting a cupboard, radiator or wall, and that there is room to kneel in front of it to load and unload.
6. The floor. A solid, level floor keeps vibration down. Sloping or suspended timber floors can make a machine noisier on the spin.

Keep the figures on your phone and compare them with the manufacturer’s dimensions rather than a retailer’s summary, which is sometimes rounded. The installation guide will also tell you about any gap the manufacturer recommends around the machine.

Freestanding Or Integrated?

Freestanding Washing Machines

A freestanding machine sits in its own gap and only needs to be near a drain, a water supply and a plug socket. It is the most common type, so you get the widest choice of drum sizes, features and colours. White is still the norm, but greys, graphite and darker finishes are available if you want the machine to stand out or match other appliances.

Because nothing is fixed around it, a freestanding machine is also simpler to fit, pull out and replace later.

Integrated Washing Machines

An integrated (built-in) machine is fitted inside a kitchen unit and hidden behind a cupboard door that matches the rest of your kitchen. The extra door helps muffle the sound, so integrated models tend to be quieter.

The trade-offs are cost and choice. Integrated machines usually cost more to buy, there are fewer models to choose from, and drums typically range from 5kg to 10kg. Fitting takes more work too: the cupboard door has to be attached to the machine and the kitchen plinth removed and replaced, so professional installation costs more. The Which? integrated washing machine guide notes that cleaning and rinsing performance is comparable to freestanding models, and that depths range from 40cm to 65cm, so measure carefully.

Front Loaders Or Top Loaders?

Almost all machines sold in the UK are front loaders, with the door on the front. They slide neatly under a worktop, and the flat top can be used as extra surface space.

Top-loading machines, where you lift a lid to load, are quite rare in the UK. In Which? testing, none of the top loaders tested earned Best Buy status, mainly because of noise, vibration and awkward use. They can suit a narrow space, but for most homes a front loader is the practical choice.

Is A Washer Dryer A Good Idea?

A washer dryer combines washing and tumble drying in one machine, so it suits homes with no room for a separate dryer or outside space for a washing line. It also costs less upfront than buying two appliances.

There are downsides to weigh up. A washer dryer has two capacities, and the drying capacity is smaller: a typical 8kg wash capacity comes with only around 5kg for drying, so you may have to take some items out before the drying cycle. Which? also found that drying in a washer dryer uses much more energy and water than using a separate heat pump tumble dryer, and that most washer dryers dry less well than dedicated dryers. Our explainer on how washer dryer capacities are measured goes into more detail.

Drum Capacity And Which Size Suits Your Household

What The kg Figure Means

A washing machine’s capacity is the maximum weight of dry laundry it can wash in one go. It is a weight, not a measure of how much you can physically squash into the drum.

Drum sizes on the market run from about 5kg up to 12kg. The full capacity usually only applies to the cottons programme. Synthetics and delicates programmes often take less than half the headline figure, so a 9kg machine will not wash 9kg of shirts on a synthetics cycle.

Don’t overfill. The Energy Saving Trust recommends leaving about a hand’s width of space at the top of the drum so clothes can move and clean properly.

Choosing A Size For Your Household

Which? says an 8kg drum is enough for most households, while 9kg and 10kg machines are the most popular sizes. As a rough guide:

• Living alone or as a couple: a smaller or mid-size drum is usually plenty, especially if you wash little and often.
• Typical family: around 8kg handles everyday loads and still has programmes for smaller washes.
• Larger families or lots of bedding and sports kit: a 9kg to 12kg drum means fewer loads and room for bulky items such as duvets.

What Fits In Each Drum Size

Kilograms are hard to picture, so here is a rough guide to what different washing machine sizes hold on a cottons programme. A common rule of thumb is around five T-shirts per kilogram. Duvet limits vary between machines, so check the manual before washing bulky bedding.

Bigger is not automatically better. Larger machines cost more to buy, are usually deeper, and are only efficient if you fill them. The Energy Saving Trust advises against buying a machine that is too big for your needs and suggests checking the annual energy consumption figure on the energy label. You can compare what each programme does in our guide to washing machine features explained.

Fitting, Safety And When To Call An Engineer

Whichever type you choose, the Electrical Safety First washing machine advice is to plug it directly into a wall socket rather than an extension lead, because a large appliance can overload the lead. Register the machine with the manufacturer so you are told about any safety recalls, and avoid running it overnight where possible.

Keep the filter clean and the door seal clear of coins and buckles, always with the machine unplugged first. If you spot burn marks, a burning smell, leaks from inside the machine or the plug feeling hot, stop using it and get it checked by a qualified engineer. In Merseyside and West Lancashire, Appliance Repair Men carry out washing machine repairs in your home, which can be worth considering before replacing a machine that is otherwise the right size.

Washing Machine Size FAQs

What Is The Standard Size Of A Washing Machine In The UK?

Most front loaders are 85cm high and 59.5 to 60cm wide. Depth varies from about 40cm to 70cm, so always check that figure and allow around 7cm extra for hoses.

Is An Integrated Washing Machine Worth It?

If a seamless kitchen and a quieter machine matter to you, it can be. Expect to pay more for the machine and fitting, and to have fewer models to choose from.

What Size Washing Machine Does A Family Of Four Need?

Which? suggests 8kg is enough for most households. If you wash a lot of bedding, towels or sports kit, a 9kg or 10kg drum means fewer loads.

Quick Checklist

• Measure height, width and depth, then add about 7cm for hoses.
• Decide between freestanding (more choice, easier fitting) and integrated (hidden, quieter, costs more).
• Pick a front loader unless you have a specific reason not to.
• Only choose a washer dryer if you cannot fit or use a separate dryer.
• Match drum size to your household and fill it properly, leaving a hand’s width at the top.
• Plug into a wall socket and register the machine for recall alerts.

When your old machine does need replacing, see our guide on disposing of a washing machine responsibly. You will find more practical home guides at Beyond The Garden Gates.

Kaan Rassad

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