While you may not think this is an important topic, getting the wrong kitchen faucet hole size for your new undermount sink can alter your plan to use the new faucet you just bought. It is possible to get new kitchen faucet sink holes that are too small or too large.
These are details you have to pay attention to because not all sink faucets or the holes that house them are the same standard hole size. Another detail to pay attention to will be the number of holes you need, since a two-hole sink uses a single-hole faucet, and thus a single-handle faucet, with a second-hole for accessories such as sprayer and soap dispenser.
The bathroom sink’s design is largely limited to single-hole sinks and single-handle kitchen faucets due to space limitations.
The most common kitchen sink is the four-hole kitchen sinks faucet (four-hole sink) which really is a three-hole faucet, with the fourth hole for accessories like side sprays for cold water or the addition of a soap dispenser.
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Kitchen and Bathroom Faucet Types
HomeDepot.com and other online retailers have a wide range of options for faucet style such as pull down, pull out and standard kitchen faucets in single handle or double handle versions. If you’re not on Home Depot’s mailing list, sign-up as they offer a 10% discount on select home decor.
I’ll focus on a few faucet styles for bathrooms and kitchens for context and comparison.
Widespread Faucets for Kitchen and Bath
This type of faucet has a purposeful design. It really is a different kitchen faucet. The design helps make your sink and room look more elegant, sophisticated, and enchanting. They are not standard faucets since you find them on larger sinks with space between the spout and faucet handles. The overall size of the sink is more common in luxury homes with larger bathrooms and kitchen spaces.
The widespread faucet hole spaces may have variations in the size of the hole but the center hole, at the center of your sink, is likely to have a standard size hole compared to the outer holes. on the edge of the sink.
If you’re into rustic kitchen design and styles, you can look at the different types of kitchen faucets for your new sink from Kingston Kitchen and Bath. They are available in many colors and styles such as separate handles in lever or cross style. In fact, Kingston even has about 193 ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant faucet sets with accessible design.
Kingston-branded fixtures have a price range between $200 and $690 USD. Finishes are available in brushed brass, polished brass, antique brass, polished nickel, brushed nickel, brushed nickel/polished brass, polished chrome, or matt black.
Kingston provides faucet sink designs in modern or traditional, with/without side sprayer and varying options such as a 2-hole sink or additional holes such as a 3-hole sink or 4-hole sink with 3-hole faucet and standard spacing.
You will find this type of faucet on vanities and sinks that are a little larger than the standard kitchen sinks or bathroom sinks. For a widespread faucet, faucet hole spacing can have a 16 inch spread in width or less.
Center Set Faucets For Bathrooms
When your bathroom does not have a large amount of space, this type of faucet can be a savior with an existing sink. Centerset faucets work very well in single-hole faucet basins and three-hole sink basins. These are also easy to install. Knob control holes and faucets are closer together in this configuration because it saves space and leaves room for soap bars or drinking glasses near the sink for that toothbrush or nightcap.
Center set faucets commonly have a deck plate with handles and spout. This feature design allows this faucet type to be used for countertops and sinks with a maximum of three holes with 4-inch centers. Centerset faucets have standard faucet drillings for three mounting holes.
With a selection from a wide variety of finishes, you will not have to worry about matching your bathroom’s decor. There should be a finish that will go nicely with your bathroom design.
Single Hole Faucet
When you want to save space while still upgrading your look, then the single-hole faucet is a good choice. Like the centerset design, the single hole provides plenty of room next to the faucet for those items you like to keep handy.
Plus, you have unlimited choices in design, finishes, and outlets to shop at, and this is one of the more common bathroom faucets you can buy.
Three Hole Faucets
These are very versatile faucet types, and they were also the standard style of faucets used for many years after using indoor plumbing in traditional homes. When your sink has three holes drilled through them, the different types and finishes will make your house and kitchen look so much better.
Or, if you instead go to a single-hole faucet and your sink has three holes in it, you can use a good deck plate to cover those extra holes.
Standard Faucet Hole Size
The typical hole size or rather the worldwide standard sink faucet hole size is 1 3/8″ (35mm metric). Some could have 1 1/2 inches or a 2-inch hole.
How many holes are there for bathroom sinks?
There are a small variety of holes in a bathroom sink. These faucets can range between 1 and 4 holes, depending on the style of faucet you want. The key is to make sure the sink beneath the faucet has the same number of spots for the best fit.
However, it is possible to get a deck plate to cover any extra holes left open when you downsize your bathroom faucet to a second hole or a single-hole model.
How many holes do kitchen sinks have?
The kitchen sink is like the bathroom sink. The different faucet models will come in various designs that will also use a 1 to 4-hole-sink faucet. Which option you get will depend on how much money you want to spend and what type of design you would like in your kitchen.
Then, if you are drilling into your counter top, measure the diameter of your faucets, making sure you get the right size. The standard size is 1 3/8″, but there will be slight differences depending on the brand that made those faucets.
Measuring the Faucet Hole Size
When you measure the diameter of the faucet holes for drilling or matching up with your sink, use calipers, as this is the most precise measuring tool you have and will get you the perfect measurement each time.
If you do not have calipers, use a tape measure with many markings. Be careful not to bump the calipers after measuring, as that may alter the diameter.
How far about should faucet holes be?
The goal is to ensure the hole is in the center of your bathroom or kitchen sink. That is the key to installing faucets. The space between the holes will depend on the design of the sink.
Before you buy a sink or a faucet, determine if you will use one of those existing items already in your home or not. If you buy both new faucets and sinks, you must match the faucet design with the sinkholes.
Faucet centers should be measured, between faucet holes in the kitchen sink or bathroom vanity. The key is to ensure this measurement is done from the very center of the left hole and the very center of the right hole. This will be important since the center of each hole is where the faucet connections will be installed.
What is the maximum deck thickness of a faucet?
There is no ideal thickness to a bathroom or kitchen faucet, and you would have to check the models you are interested in and see how thick they are. If you want a specific thickness, check the specs on the package or on the instruction sheet.
When that number does not match your requirement, move on to your second or third choice.
What about undermount sinks?
These are ideal in many kitchens and provide that room with a distinct look and overall feel. They place the sink tips under the countertop, hiding them and giving you unobstructed access to the sink when cleaning the counters.
The drawback to this sink style will be that you have to drill bit the faucet holes through the countertop, and this can be an easy or difficult task depending on the type of countertop your kitchen has.
The convenience of cleaning the counter may not outweigh the work involved in installing the faucet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cover the extra holes in the sink?
You can cover extra holes, for a four-hole faucet, by adding a deck plate. These deck plates should come in various sizes to meet the size of the bathroom or kitchen sink you have in your home. Essentially, they help cover all those extra holes, since there could be smaller holes you do not want anyone to see
You can also use covers for tap holes for your kitchen if you don’t need a deck plate.
By the way, I do recommend a kitchen expert and plumber for this type of work. It can be a do-it-yourself kind of project but things can get messy when you get involved in water supply lines and water intake piping that needs to be hidden with escutcheon plates. This is the best way to hide an existing hole under the sink.
How do I find the right size for my faucet?
You need to measure several places on the sink for an accurate result and to make sure you find the right size of faucet to fit the holes.
The important factors for measurement include:
| MEASUREMENT | DETAIL |
| DEPTH | This measurement goes from the sink’s drain (lowest point) to the sink brim where the sink meets the countertop. |
| WIDTH | Measure the sink from the outermost edges going from front to back |
| LENGTH | Use the outermost edges of your sink sides and measure the distance between them |
| FAUCET | Measure the distance between where the water lines will go on a single handle faucet. For a double handle faucet, measure from the center of the handle’s length to the center of the faucet. Then measure the diameter of the hole to make sur you find the right-sized faucet |
What if the hole is too big for the faucet?
When you find that your faucet holes are larger than the standard size, approx. 1 1/2 inches in size, then you need to move up to a larger faucet escutcheon plate. Available in different sizes, and the only drawback is that they may affect the look of your kitchen faucet.
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John Thompson, Writer and Commentator, EvolutDesign.com
Soldier, writer, researcher, consultant, and bon vivant, John Thompson is the author of numerous columns, op-eds, reports, briefs, short stories and books as the “Felicity Files” and “Spirit Over Steel: A Chronology of the Second World War” (version III). Often found hunched over his computer, or in his garden, and now often found doing both. His diverse talent has led him to work in industries and projects such as energy, security and home construction and renovation. To see the entire team at Evolutdesign.com, visit Our Team page.
