Air Fryer Sizes: Capacity, Dimensions and Counter Space
Capacity in quarts and liters, outside dimensions and the counter or shelf space each size of air fryer needs, from 2 qt single-person baskets to 26 qt air fryer ovens.
Basket air fryers range from 2 to 10 qt (1.9 to 9.5 L). The most common size, 5 to 6 qt (4.7 to 5.7 L), suits 2 to 4 people and measures roughly 11 to 13 in wide, 14 to 16 in deep and 12 to 14 in tall (28 to 33 × 36 to 41 × 30 to 36 cm). Dual-basket models are 15 to 17 in wide, and oven-style air fryers hold 10 to 26 qt.
- Common size
- 5-6 qt (4.7-5.7 L)
- Footprint (5-6 qt)
- about 12 × 15 in
- Height
- 12-14 in (30-36 cm)
- Clearance
- about 5 in (13 cm)
On this page
Air fryer sizes chart
Capacity is the volume of the basket, in US quarts or liters. Outside dimensions vary by brand, so the ranges below are typical for each capacity rather than exact; check the model's spec sheet for the final fit.
| Capacity | Liters | People | Typical size (in) | Typical size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 to 3 qt | 1.9 to 2.8 L | 1 | 8 to 10 × 10 to 12 × 10.5 to 12 | 20 to 25 × 25 to 30 × 27 to 30 |
| 3.5 to 4.5 qt | 3.3 to 4.3 L | 1 to 2 | 10 to 11.5 × 12 to 14 × 11.5 to 13 | 25 to 29 × 30 to 36 × 29 to 33 |
| 5 to 6 qt | 4.7 to 5.7 L | 2 to 4 | 11 to 13 × 14 to 16 × 12 to 14 | 28 to 33 × 36 to 41 × 30 to 36 |
| 6.5 to 7 qt | 6.2 to 6.6 L | 3 to 5 | 12 to 14 × 15 to 17 × 13 to 15 | 30 to 36 × 38 to 43 × 33 to 38 |
| 8 to 10 qt dual basket | 7.6 to 9.5 L | 4 to 6 | 15 to 17 × 13 to 15 × 12 to 13 | 38 to 43 × 33 to 38 × 30 to 33 |
| 10 to 26 qt oven style | 9.5 to 24.6 L | 4 to 6+ | 13 to 20 × 13 to 17 × 13 to 16 | 33 to 51 × 33 to 43 × 33 to 41 |
Depth includes the drawer handle, which adds 2 to 3 in on most basket models. Basket air fryers weigh about 6 to 13 lb (3 to 6 kg); oven-style models 15 to 25 lb (7 to 11 kg).
Air fryer quarts to liters
US brands give capacity in quarts, most others in liters. One US quart is 0.946 L, so liters and quarts are close but not equal: a liter figure is always about 5% smaller than the quart figure for the same basket.
| Quarts | Liters | Liters | Quarts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 qt | 1.9 L | 3.2 L | 3.4 qt | |
| 3.7 qt | 3.5 L | 4.5 L | 4.8 qt | |
| 4 qt | 3.8 L | 5 L | 5.3 qt | |
| 5.8 qt | 5.5 L | 5.5 L | 5.8 qt | |
| 6 qt | 5.7 L | 6 L | 6.3 qt | |
| 8 qt | 7.6 L | 7 L | 7.4 qt | |
| 10 qt | 9.5 L | 9 L | 9.5 qt |
Basket, dual-basket and oven-style air fryers
The capacity number compares well within one style, but not across styles, because the shapes cook differently.
- Single basket: one pull-out drawer. Food cooks best in a single layer with space for air to move, so the useful measure is the floor area of the basket, not its full volume. A square basket holds more in one layer than a round basket of the same quart rating.
- Dual basket: two drawers side by side, usually 4 to 5 qt each, sold as an 8 to 10 qt total. Each basket is smaller than a single 6 qt basket, so a whole chicken or a large piece of meat may not fit, but you can cook two foods at different settings. Some models have one large basket with a removable divider.
- Oven style: a box with a front door and two or three racks, from 10 to 26 qt. They are wider and taller but cook on several levels at once and can toast, bake and roast. Larger ones are marketed as fitting a 12 in pizza; check the interior width on the spec sheet.
If you regularly cook for guests or batch-cook, size up one step from the household figure in the chart: the cost is about 1 to 2 in more in each direction on the counter. Pans and trays that fit inside oven-style models are covered in the baking sheet size guide.
Counter space and clearance
An air fryer blows hot, moist air out of a vent at the back or top. Manuals typically ask for about 4 to 5 in (10 to 13 cm) of free space behind, beside and above it while it runs, and a heat-resistant, flat surface.
| Air fryer | Footprint | Space to allow (W × D) |
|---|---|---|
| Compact, 3 qt | about 9 × 11 in | 19 × 16 in 48 × 41 cm |
| Single basket, 5 to 6 qt | about 12 × 15 in | 22 × 20 in 56 × 51 cm |
| Dual basket, 8 qt | about 16 × 14 in | 26 × 19 in 66 × 48 cm |
| Oven style, 25 qt | about 18 × 16 in | 28 × 21 in 71 × 53 cm |
A standard US countertop is 25 in deep, so even a large oven-style model fits front to back. The drawer also needs room to open: allow about the basket's depth again (8 to 10 in) clear in front.
The usual gap between counter and wall cabinets is 18 in (46 cm). A 12 to 14 in tall basket model leaves 4 to 6 in above it, which is at or below what most manuals ask for, and steam from the vent can damage cabinet finishes over time. Slide it forward to the counter edge while cooking, or run it on an open stretch of counter.
Storing an air fryer on a shelf
For a pantry shelf, cabinet or appliance garage, the shelf must be deeper and taller than the air fryer itself. Standard US wall cabinets are only 12 in deep, too shallow for every basket model above 3 qt. Base cabinets (24 in deep inside, about 22 to 23 in usable) and pantry cabinets 24 in deep hold all sizes. For a 5 to 6 qt model, look for a shelf at least 16 in deep with about 15 in of height. Cabinet dimensions are in the kitchen cabinet size guide.
Power use by size
Larger air fryers draw more power. On a 120 V US circuit:
- 2 to 4 qt: about 1,000 to 1,500 W, or 8 to 12.5 A.
- 5 to 7 qt: about 1,500 to 1,750 W, or 12.5 to 14.6 A.
- Dual basket and oven style: about 1,700 to 1,800 W, or 14 to 15 A.
A 1,700 W air fryer draws about 14 A, close to the full rating of a 15 A circuit. US kitchens built to the National Electrical Code have at least two 20 A circuits for countertop outlets, but running an air fryer and a kettle or toaster on the same circuit can trip the breaker. In 230 V countries the same 1,700 W unit draws about 7.4 A, so this is rarely a problem.
Air fryer vs microwave and toaster oven
An air fryer oven of 20 to 26 qt takes about the same counter area as a mid-size microwave, which is 19 to 22 in wide and 15 to 17 in deep. If counter space is tight, a combination microwave with an air-fry function or a toaster oven with a convection fan can replace one appliance, though its fan is usually weaker than a dedicated air fryer's. Microwave footprints are compared in the microwave size guide, and counter dimensions in the countertop size guide and the kitchen dimensions overview.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a 6 L air fryer?
6 L is 6.3 US quarts, a large single-basket size suited to 3 to 5 people. Most are about 11.5 to 13 in wide, 14 to 16 in deep and 12 to 14 in tall (29 to 33 × 36 to 41 × 30 to 36 cm), and weigh about 10 to 13 lb.
How many quarts is a 3.2 L air fryer?
3.2 L is 3.4 US quarts. That is a compact size for 1 or 2 people, typically about 9 to 11 in wide and 11 to 13 in deep.
How big is an air fryer that measures 15.74 × 16.14 × 10.11 in?
That is 40 × 41 × 25.7 cm, with a footprint of about 1.8 sq ft. It is as wide as a dual-basket model but low, so it fits under wall cabinets easily (an 18 in gap leaves about 8 in above it). Allow a counter space about 26 in wide and 21 in deep once you add clearance on the sides and back.
What size air fryer do I need for a family of 4?
5.5 to 7 qt (5.2 to 6.6 L) in a single basket, or an 8 qt dual-basket model if you often cook a main and a side together. A 4 qt basket works for four only if you are happy to cook in batches.
Can you put an air fryer under kitchen cabinets?
Most manuals say no, or ask for about 4 to 5 in of space above and around the unit while it runs, because hot steam leaves through the top or back vent. With the standard 18 in gap between counter and wall cabinets, a 12 to 14 in tall air fryer leaves only 4 to 6 in, so pull it forward from under the cabinets when cooking.