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Refrigerator Size Calculator

What size refrigerator do you need? Cubic feet and litres for your household size and cooking habits, the nearest standard size, and how much should be fresh-food space versus freezer.

People in the home

How you eat

Freezer use

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How it works

size (cu ft) = (4 + 4 × people) × cooking factor (0.85 / 1.0 / 1.2) × 1.1 if you freeze a lot · litres = cu ft × 28.32 · freezer = 30% (or 40%) of the total

Appliance retailers size refrigerators at roughly 4–6 cubic feet per person: about 4 cu ft each plus a base of 4 cu ft for condiments, drinks and leftovers works well, giving 8–10 cu ft for one person, about 12 for a couple and 20 for a family of four. Households that cook every day or buy in bulk need about 20% more; those who mostly eat out can manage with less. Total capacity is usually split about 70/30 between fresh food and freezer. Bigger is not better past what you will fill: an oversized fridge costs more to run, and ENERGY STAR models of the right size use the least electricity.

Worked example

A family of 4 who cook most days needs (4 + 4 × 4) × 1.0 = 20 cu ft (566 L). The nearest standard size is 21 cu ft (595 L), with about 396 L of fresh-food space and 170 L of freezer.

Sources: ENERGY STAR — Refrigerators · U.S. DOE — Refrigerators and freezers

Frequently asked questions

What size refrigerator for a family of 4?

About 20 cu ft (560–600 L); go up to 22–25 cu ft if you cook every day, buy in bulk or keep many drinks cold.

How many litres of fridge per person?

Roughly 110–170 L per person including the freezer, with a minimum of about 200–250 L for one or two people.

How do I convert cubic feet to litres?

Multiply by 28.32: a 14 cu ft refrigerator holds about 396 L, and a 500 L model is about 17.7 cu ft.

Does a bigger refrigerator use more electricity?

Yes, though not proportionally — a 25 cu ft model uses about 20–30% more than a 19 cu ft model of the same type. Side-by-side and door-in-door designs use more than top- or bottom-freezer models.

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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.