A 1.6 cu. ft. over-the-range microwave typically measures about 29 7/8 inches wide, 16.1 to 16.9 inches high, and 15.1 to 17.4 inches deep, and it fits a standard 30-inch cabinet opening.
Width alone won’t tell you whether a microwave will actually clear your cabinets, your stovetop, and your door swing. Two 1.6 cu. ft. models can differ by more than two inches in depth, which is the difference between a door that opens freely and one that clips the range below it. The specs below come straight from GE and Samsung product pages, so you can compare real numbers instead of guessing from a showroom floor model.
What Are The Standard Dimensions For A 1.6 Cu Ft Model?
Most 1.6 cu. ft. over-the-range microwaves are built for a standard 30-inch cut-out, and the two models below land within a fraction of an inch of each other on width while differing more on height and depth.
| Spec | GE JVM3160RFSS | Samsung ME16A4021AS |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 29.875 in | 29 7/8 in |
| Height | 16.125 in | 16 1/2 in |
| Depth | 15.5625 in | 15 1/8 in |
| Capacity | 1.6 cu. ft. | 1.6 cu. ft. |
| Cooking power | Not listed on product page | 1000 W |
| Vent power | Recirculating or venting variant | 300 CFM |
| Weight | Not listed on product page | 44.2 lbs |
The GE JVM3160RFSS comes in at 16.125 H x 29.875 W x 15.5625 D, and GE lists its capacity as 1.6 cu. ft. Samsung’s ME16A4021AS/AA lists 29 7/8″ W x 16 1/2″ H x 15 1/8″ D with the same 1.6 cu. ft. capacity, plus 1000 W of cooking power, 300 CFM of vent power, and a 44.2 lb shipping weight. Both are U.S. market models, so these figures apply to what you’ll actually find on a retailer floor here.
What Actually Decides Whether It Fits?
Four measurements decide the fit, and width is only one of them. Ignore the other three and you can still end up with a unit that won’t seat into the cabinet or won’t clear the range below.
- Overall width — most 1.6 cu. ft. units sit near 29 7/8 in, sized for a 30-inch opening.
- Height — examples here run 16.125 in to 16.5 in, but verify the cut-out height your cabinet allows.
- Depth — this varies most, from about 15.1 in to 17.4 in across the category, and it controls how far the unit projects over your burners.
- Door clearance — a deeper unit can swing into the space above the range or bump a nearby wall.
Cut-out dimensions, not just the face dimensions, are what the cabinet actually has to accept. A model can match on width and height at the front while requiring a specific cut-out depth behind it. Check the installation manual before you buy, not after the box is open.
If you’d rather start from models that already match these measurements, browse tested 1.6 cu ft over-the-range microwaves before you commit to a cut-out.
What Else Changes Between Two 1.6 Cu Ft Units?
Same capacity does not mean same appliance. Two 1.6 cu. ft. microwaves can differ in venting mode, power draw, and turntable size, and any of those can rule a model out for your kitchen.
Over-the-range microwaves are venting appliances, and the GE listing covers both recirculating and venting variants, so confirm which one you need before ordering. Samsung’s example is rated at 300 CFM. Power draw matters too: Samsung’s specs list either 15A or 13.5A depending on the model and document, so it’s worth checking what your circuit can carry. Turntable diameter runs from about 11 1/2 in to 12 1/2 in across the category, which changes how much usable space the cavity actually gives you even when the outside box is the same size.
You can verify these numbers directly against the GE JVM3160RFSS product page before purchase.
The most common mistakes are assuming every 1.6 cu. ft. model is physically identical, checking only face dimensions instead of cut-outs, skipping venting mode, and forgetting door swing and the clearance above the range.
FAQs
Do all 1.6 cu ft over-the-range microwaves have the same footprint?
No. Capacity describes the interior cavity, not the exterior box, so two 1.6 cu. ft. units can differ on depth by more than two inches even when their widths match. Always compare overall width, height, and depth against your cabinet and wall space before buying.
Will a standard 30-inch cabinet opening work?
Usually, yes. The GE and Samsung examples here are both about 29 7/8 inches wide, sized for a 30-inch opening. Confirm the cut-out height and depth your cabinet specifies, since those vary by model and installation manual.
Does depth affect anything besides looks?
It does. Depth controls how far the unit projects over the range and whether the door opens without hitting the stovetop, a wall, or nearby cabinet fronts. Deeper models can obstruct the cooking space more than their width suggests.
References & Sources
- GE Appliances. “GE 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven JVM3160RFSS.” Source for GE dimensions, capacity, and venting variants.
- Samsung. “1.6 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave with Auto Cook in Stainless Steel.” Source for Samsung dimensions, capacity, power, vent power, and weight.
