Countertop Dish Racks: Measure These 4 Things Before You Buy
A countertop dish rack holds washed plates, bowls, cups and cutlery while they drain. It only works if it fits the free worktop beside the sink, clears the wall cupboards with plates in it, takes your plate and bowl sizes, and sends the water into the sink rather than onto the worktop. Use these checks before choosing one. This guide is a planning aid, not a compatibility guarantee.
Jump to the products to check against this list (affiliate links)
Download the original checklist image
1. Worktop space
Measure the free worktop beside the sink, from the wall to the front edge and along to the sink. IKEA's ORDNING dish drainer is 50 cm long, 27 cm wide and 36 cm high. The expandable rack we checked is 32 to 52 cm long and 41 cm deep in its image; the 2-tier rack is 42 x 30 x 25.5 cm. A reviewer on IKEA's Irish page wrote of ORDNING: "It is longer than an IKEA sink unit so the water drains onto your counter top."
2. Cupboard height
Measure from the worktop to the underside of the wall cupboards or shelf, and check the tap and any window sill. The 2-tier rack is 25.5 cm high, or 13 cm as a single tier. Plates stand above the frame, so allow for your tallest plate standing up. The expandable rack's image marks 14 cm, and its plates stand higher than that.
3. Plates and bowls
Measure your largest dinner plate and bowl. The 2-tier rack's image gives plates of "Diameter: 14cm~26cm" and "Thickness: 1cm~2.8cm", and bowls of 7 to 16 cm. IKEA says ORDNING is "Most suitable for round plates and side plates." and "29 plates fit for drying at the same time." One reviewer wrote: "Plates don’t fit properly and often fall over."
4. Drainage
Check where the drip tray empties. The 2-tier rack's images show a "360° Drain" spout with "Side Drain" and "Front Drain" set-ups, so the spout must reach over the sink edge from where the rack stands. The expandable rack says it "Sits on kitchen counter or spans over the sink edge". Another ORDNING reviewer wrote that "when you load with plates, the rack opens, breaking any glassware below."
Before you order
Keep the free worktop length and depth, the height to the cupboards, your largest plate and bowl and the sink edge next to the rack's length, depth, height, plate sizes and spout position. Before the first load, pour a cup of water into the tray and check that it runs into the sink. If a figure is missing, ask the seller.
Products to check against this list
The links below are affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Specifications are as listed by the seller on the date shown; we have not measured, tested or approved these products for your space.
- Expandable dish drying rack, 32 to 52 cm long, 41 cm deep. Seller-listed: Image: 32-52 cm long, 41 cm deep, 14 cm marked high. Text: 'Collapsible frame folds flat when not in use'; 'Sits on kitchen counter or spans over the sink edge'; 'Carbon steel, wipe dry after use to maintain finish.' Plate size limits not listed. (checked 2026-09-29). View on AliExpress (affiliate link)
- 2-tier dish rack with swivel drain spout, 42 x 30 x 25.5 cm. Seller-listed: Images: 42 x 30 x 25.5 cm (13 cm high as one tier); plates 'Diameter: 14cm~26cm', bowls 'Diameter: 7cm~16cm'; '360° Drain'; 'Side Drain' or 'Front Drain'. Options Type-A or Type-B; check which one you pick. (checked 2026-09-29). View on AliExpress (affiliate link)
Your fit worksheet
Use centimetres or inches consistently. These cells are intentionally unfilled: we have not measured your space or approved a product for it.
| Check | Your space or equipment | Product requirement | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worktop space | Record your measurement or observation | Confirm with the maker | Not checked |
| Cupboard height | Record your measurement or observation | Confirm with the maker | Not checked |
| Plates and bowls | Record your measurement or observation | Confirm with the maker | Not checked |
| Drainage | Record your measurement or observation | Confirm with the maker | Not checked |
Reference and evidence limits
Retailer example: IKEA ORDNING dish drainer, Ireland listing.
The linked retailer page and its public customer feedback supplied research leads, not independent performance evidence. Comments can reflect individual experiences. We have not independently reproduced them or verified compatibility, stock, price, load limits or current numerical specifications. Check the product page and instructions for your market before buying. Source reviewed on 2026-09-29.