If you’re in the middle of a kitchen renovation or simply replacing an old unit, learning how to choose the right rangehood size is one of the most practical decisions you can make. Width is not the only thing to choose. You will also need to check about extraction power.
Get it wrong, and you’ll face lingering odours, grease buildup, and poor ventilation. Get it right, and your kitchen stays fresh, clean, and efficient for years.
This guide covers how to match your rangehood to your cooktop, choose the right size and extraction power, compare installation options, and select the best style for your kitchen—all tailored to Australian homes.
So, are you choosing a rangehood based on looks alone, or are you ready to match it properly to your cooktop, kitchen setup, and the way you actually cook?Let’s dive into everything you need to know.
The Simple Rules for Choosing the Right Rangehood Size
Before diving into the detail, here’s the summary:
- Width: Your rangehood should match or exceed your cooktop width. The industry standard recommends extending the hood 3 inches (about 7–8cm) on each side of the cooktop for best performance. Wider rangehoods improve performance by extending the capture zone.
- Common Australian Matches: Standard cooktops are usually 60cm, 90cm, or 120cm wide. A 90cm cooktop typically requires a 90–100cm rangehood. A 60cm cooktop pairs with a 60–70cm hood. A 120cm freestanding cooker suits a 120–150cm canopy.
- Extraction power: A rangehood should exchange kitchen air 10 to 15 times per hour. Multiply your kitchen volume (in m³) by 10–12 for standard cooking, or 12–15 for heavy-duty cooking with gas or wok frying.
- Mounting height: Rangehoods should be mounted 600mm to 750mm above the cooktop. Gas cooktops need the higher end of that range (650mm+ for new installations under AS/NZS 5601.1).
The sections below explain each rule in full.
Step 1: Measure Your Cooktop and Space Above It
Accurate measurements are the non-negotiable first step before you look at brands, finishes, or whether you prefer dark stainless steel or brushed stainless steel.
Cooktop width: Measure the full usable width in millimetres. The most common cooktop widths in Australia are 600mm (60cm), 750mm (75cm), 900mm (90cm), and 1200mm (120cm).
Available overhead width: Measure wall-to-wall or cupboard-to-cupboard above the cooking area. This tells you the maximum rangehood width your space can physically fit.
Depth: Standard cooktops run about 500–600mm deep. The front-to-back depth of the hood should cover both rear and front burners – most canopy and fixed rangehood models sit 450–550mm deep, which is sufficient for everyday cooking.
Vertical clearance: Measure from the top of the cooktop surface (or trivet for gas) to the underside of overhead cabinets or ceiling. Standard installation height for gas ranges is typically 30 to 36 inches (approximately 750–900mm), while standard installation height for electric ranges is typically 24 to 30 inches (600–750mm). Australian regulations for new gas installations require a minimum of 650mm clearance.
Sketch a simple side view diagram with these measurements. Take it when shopping or hand it to your installer – it makes the size rangehood conversation much faster.
Step 2: Match Rangehood Width to Your Cooktop Size
The rangehood’s capture area needs to cover the entire stove area, including front and side burners. If cooking fumes escape sideways, even a powerful motor won’t save you.
Here’s the clear matching guide for standard sizes in Australia: a 60cm cooktop pairs with a 60–70cm range hood; a 75cm cooktop works with a 75–90cm range hood; a 90cm cooktop matches a 90–100cm range hood; and a 120cm cooktop suits a 120–150cm canopy rangehood in large or semi-industrial kitchens.
The ideal rangehood width depends on both your kitchen layout and the type of rangehood you choose.
- Compact kitchens and apartments:Matching the rangehood width exactly to your cooktop is often the only practical option due to limited cabinet space.
- Larger kitchens:Choosing a rangehood that’s 5–10 cm wider than your cooktop provides better capture of smoke, steam, and cooking odours.
Width Recommendations by Rangehood Type
- Undermount and slide-out rangehoods: Usually match the cooktop width exactly, as they’re concealed within cabinetry.
- Wall-mounted and canopy rangehoods: If space allows, choose a model slightly wider than your cooktop for improved extraction performance.
- Downdraft rangehoods: Follow the same width guidelines, but also ensure the bench cut-out depth meets the manufacturer’s installation requirements.
Step 3: Calculate the Extraction Rate for Your Kitchen Size
Rangehood size also means extraction rate – the volume of air the unit moves, measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/hr). Airflow measurements in CFM (cubic feet per minute) indicate the amount of air the hood can move and are sometimes listed alongside m³/hr by most manufacturers.
Estimate your kitchen volume: Length × width × ceiling height. A typical Australian townhouse kitchen at 4m × 3m × 2.4m equals 28.8 cubic metres.
Apply the formula: Once you’ve calculated your kitchen volume, use this simple formula to estimate the extraction power your rangehood needs.
Formula: Minimum Extraction Rate = Kitchen Volume × Air Changes Per Hour
Worked examples:
- A small galley kitchen at 2.5m × 3m × 2.4m equals roughly 18m³ – aim for 180–250m³/hr.
- An open-plan kitchen-living area at 5m × 6m × 2.7m equals approximately 81m³ – aim for 800–1200m³/hr, especially with gas and grilling.
High extraction rates are necessary for heavy cooking styles, and a rangehood with over 700 m³/hr is ideal for wok cooking.
Listed extraction rates assume ideal ducting. Long or bendy duct runs reduce real-world performance, so add 10–20% extra capacity. Note that high-power hoods over 400 CFM may require a make-up air system, especially in newer, energy-efficient sealed homes. Discuss this with your builder or installer.
Step 4: Factor In Your Cooking Style and Fuel Type
Your cooking style can push you well above the calculated minimum extraction rate – and may mean stepping up to a larger canopy rangehood or fixed rangehood altogether.
Not every kitchen needs the same level of ventilation. Use these guidelines to help you choose the right rangehood capacity for the way you cook.
- Light Cooking
- Toasting, reheating meals, or cooking pasta occasionally.
- The minimum calculated extraction rate is generally sufficient.
- A compact slide-out or undermount rangehood is usually a suitable choice.
- Everyday Cooking
- Regular stir-fries, pan-frying, curries, and weeknight meals.
- Aim for an extraction rate 20–30% higher than the calculated minimum.
- A ducted rangehood with adequate width is recommended for better performance.
- Heavy-Duty Cooking
- Frequent wok cooking, deep-frying, indoor grilling, or cooking with high heat.
- Choose a high-capacity canopy rangehood with greater extraction power.
- A wider, more powerful model provides the best performance, similar to the ventilation used in commercial-style kitchens.
Gas cooktops produce more ambient heat and combustion byproducts (nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, fine particles) than electric cooktops, making good capture and ducting outside more important.
For gas cooktops: Calculate 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs of burner output as a sizing reference. For electric cooktops, calculate roughly 100 CFM for every linear foot of the range.
Australian guidelines recommend mounting the range hood slightly higher for gas (minimum 650mm for new installations) but with stronger extraction power to compensate for excess heat and open flames.
If you regularly cook aromatic foods (fish, curries, garlic-heavy dishes) in an open-plan home, overspec extraction a little and choose a design that fully covers the rear and side burners to remove odours effectively and keep clean air flowing through your living space.
Step 5: Choose the Right Rangehood Type for Your Space
There are several types of rangehoods on the Australian market, each with its own typical size range and ideal use case.
Canopy rangehood: Canopy rangehoods are the most common style available. Large, powerful, often stainless steel, and inspired by commercial and industrial kitchens. Common widths include 60cm, 90cm, and 120cm. Best for serious cooks with larger spaces.
Fixed rangehood: A wall-mounted option with a strong air collection area and a more traditional profile. Fixed rangehoods cover the entire stove area effectively and suit those who want solid performance without a fully built-in look.
Telescopic rangehood:This rangehood features a pull-out canopy that extends during cooking and slides back when not in use. It offers a sleek, space-saving design while providing greater extraction coverage than a standard concealed unit, making it ideal for compact kitchens and modern cabinetry.
Integrated rangehoods, undermount rangehoods, and retractable rangehoods: Undermount rangehoods are integrated into kitchen cabinetry, while slide-out rangehoods are designed to be pulled out during cooking and tucked away when not in use. These suit modern kitchens and apartment living where a minimalist look matters and space is limited. An integrated model keeps the lines of your kitchen design clean.
Island rangehoods: Ceiling-mounted units for an island cooktop or island bench in open-plan spaces. Island cooktops generally require a larger hood than wall-mounted ones because hoods for island layouts should be deeper and wider to compensate for open airflow and cross-breezes on a kitchen island.
Downdraft rangehood: A niche but growing option. Downdraft rangehoods rise up from behind the cooktop when in use and retract for a seamless benchtop. Ideal for high-end kitchen design, but typically lower in extraction power and more complex to install.
Step 6: Ducted vs Recirculating? How It Affects Size and Performance
Choosing between a ducted rangehood and a recirculating rangehood affects both ventilation performance and the size you need.
Ducted Rangehoods
- Vent smoke, steam, and cooking fumes outside the home.
- Offer the best performance for removing odours, grease, excess heat, and moisture.
- Ideal for gas cooktops and households that cook frequently or at high heat.
Recirculating Rangehoods
- Filter air through carbon filters and mesh filters before returning it to the kitchen.
- Help reduce cooking odours but cannot remove moisture or steam.
- Require regular filter replacements to maintain performance.
- If ducting isn’t possible, choose a recirculating rangehood at the higher end of the recommended extraction capacity.
Which One Is Best?
- Apartments or homes without external ducting: A recirculating slide out rangehood or integrated model is often the most practical choice.
- Gas cooktops or heavy-duty cooking: A ducted rangehood provides better ventilation and improved indoor air quality.
Installation Tip
For ducted rangehoods, shorter and straighter ducting delivers the best performance. Longer duct runs or multiple bends may require a higher-capacity rangehood to maintain effective airflow.
Step 7: Noise Level vs Power, Finding a Comfortable Balance
Noise level is crucial in open-plan kitchen designs where conversation,
The most powerful rangehood isn’t always the best choice—it’s about finding the right balance between performance and noise level.
What to Consider
- Check the decibel (dB) rating. Most rangehoods operate between 40–70 dB, depending on the fan speed.
- A 10 dB increase sounds about twice as loud, so even small differences can be noticeable.
- Choose a slightly larger, more powerful rangehood if possible. It can run at a lower fan speed while still removing smoke, grease, and cooking odours effectively—and more quietly.
- Slide out rangehoods and undermount rangehoods are generally quiet at low speeds but become louder at maximum power.
- Silent rangehoods with external motors are ideal for open-plan kitchens or large canopy rangehoods, as they keep motor noise outside the cooking area.
Money-Saving Tip
A well-sized rangehood that operates on medium speed most of the time is typically quieter and more energy-efficient, helping reduce both noise and running costs.
Step 8: Filters, Maintenance, and Long-Term Performance
Whichever size or style you choose, rangehood filter design and maintenance directly affect how well the unit performs over time.
Common filter types:
| Filter Type | Best For | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium mesh filter | Basic grease capture, budget hoods | Wash every 1–3 months |
| Baffle filters | Heavy cooking, canopy rangehoods | Wash every 1–3 months, more durable |
| Carbon filters (charcoal filters) | Recirculating models, odour reduction | Replace every 3–6 months (heavy use) or annually (light use) |
Clogged filters restrict airflow, reducing your rangehood’s performance—regardless of its size. Clean filters regularly to maintain effective grease and smoke removal. Choose a rangehood with easy-to-remove, dishwasher-safe filters for simpler maintenance, especially in busy households.
Regular maintenance helps your rangehood perform efficiently, extending its lifespan and maintaining strong extraction over time.
Bringing It All Together: Size Choices for Common Australian Kitchen Setups
Here are four common kitchen setups to help you choose the right rangehood with confidence:
| Kitchen Setup | Recommended Rangehood |
| Small apartment (60cm electric cooktop) | 60cm slide-out or undermount rangehood, recirculating or short-run ducted, 200–300 m³/hr. |
| Suburban family kitchen (90cm gas cooktop) | 90–100cm ducted canopy or wall-mounted rangehood, 700–900 m³/hr. |
| Large open-plan home (90cm induction cooktop) | 90–120cm island or downdraft rangehood, 800–1,200 m³/hr. |
| Entertainer’s kitchen (120cm freestanding cooker) | 120–150cm ducted canopy rangehood, 1,000+ m³/hr with baffle filters. |
Quick Checklist
Before you buy, remember to:
✔ Measure your cooktop width and kitchen height.
✔ Calculate your kitchen volume.
✔ Consider your cooking style and whether you use gas or electric.
✔ Choose a ducted rangehood whenever possible.
✔ Balance extraction power, noise level, and kitchen design.
Find the Right Rangehood with Goldline
More than removing smoke and odours, the right rangehood helps create a cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable kitchen every time you cook. Whether you’re upgrading an existing kitchen or planning a new one, Goldline offers a range of canopy, undermount, island, and wall-mounted rangehoods designed to suit Australian homes and cooking styles.
ExploreGoldline’s full range of rangehoods and find the perfect match for your cooktop today!
Breathe easier, cook with confidence, and complete your kitchen with a rangehood that’s built to perform.