Wall-Line Spacing, Countertop Outlets, and the Circuit List

The 6 ft wall rule sized to your actual wall lines, the countertop outlet count at the 24 in spacing, the bathroom rule at each washbasin, and the 20A circuit list that carries them, with the GFCI and AFCI pairing.

NEC 210.52(A)(1) and Table 210.52: a receptacle on every wall line 24 in and wider, with the wiring laid out so no point along the wall line is more than 6 ft from a receptacle, which works out to a 12 ft maximum spacing. Countertop spaces 18 in and wider are counted, spaces 24 in and wider get an outlet, and the outlet sits not more than 20 in above the counter.

—The 6 ft wall rule on your walls
—Spacing grid and outlet heights
—Countertop outlet count
—The washbasin rule
—The 20A circuit list
—Layout, heights, and protection
How the math works
  • The wall rule: NEC 210.52(A)(1) with Table 210.52 asks for a receptacle on every wall line 24 in and wider, with no point on the wall line more than 6 ft from a receptacle. One duplex outlet covers 12 ft of wall line, a wall line under 24 in wide is not counted, and built-in cabinets, bookcases, and panels fastened in place are not counted as wall space.
  • Countertops (210.52(C)): wall counter spaces 18 in and wider are counted, spaces 24 in and wider get at least one receptacle, the layout leaves no wall counter space 24 in and wider without an outlet, and the receptacle sits not more than 20 in above the counter. An island and a peninsular counter take a receptacle for each section 2 ft and longer.
  • Bathrooms (210.52(D)): at least one receptacle outside the area adjacent to the edge of each washbasin, within 3 ft of the basin edge, GFCI-protected (210.8(A)(1)), on a 20A circuit. Two basins on a vanity take two receptacles.
  • Circuits (210.11): two or more 20A small-appliance circuits for the kitchen and dining areas, one dedicated 20A laundry circuit in the 2020 and 2023 editions, and a 20A circuit for the bathroom receptacle. Small-appliance circuits carry no lighting and do not serve a bathroom, laundry, garage, or heating appliance.
  • Heights and protection: the general dwelling receptacle sits 12 in and over above the finished floor (406.4(G)), counter receptacles sit 20 in and under above the counter, no receptacle goes in a dwelling floor, and the kitchen and bath circuits carry GFCI (210.8) and AFCI (210.12) devices with the neutral on the device lug.
Planning tool on the National Electrical Code 210.52, 210.11, 210.8, 210.12, and 406.4(G) as adopted by the authority having jurisdiction, with standard field layout practice. Code edition in force, local amendments, the permit, the inspection, the licensing requirement, the panel and AFCI retrofit rules, the finished-work inspection, and the contractor registration are jurisdiction calls. A kitchen with an island, a peninsular counter, a breakfast bar, an appliance garage, a wall oven, a microwave over the range, a trash compactor, a wine fridge, a pot filler, a range hood fan, a garbage disposal on a switched circuit, a cooktop on an island, and an induction range on a 240V circuit is a layout with dedicated circuits, and a licensed electrician signs the drawing. A bathroom with a double vanity, a jetted tub, a heated floor, a towel warmer, a smart mirror, and an electric shaver outlet, a laundry with a stacking washer and dryer on 240V, an addition, a finished basement, a workshop, an EV charger, a generator tie-in, a transfer switch, a sub-panel, and a solar backfeed are all panel-load and circuit questions for the permit.

How far apart can wall outlets be?

No point along the wall line may be more than 6 ft from a receptacle, which works out to a 12 ft maximum spacing between outlets, and every wall line 24 in and wider gets a receptacle (NEC 210.52(A)(1) and Table 210.52). A 14 ft wall takes 2 outlets, and the field grid runs 8 to 10 ft on center so a cord reaches the middle of the wall.

Does a kitchen counter need an outlet every 24 inches?

Every wall counter space 24 in and wider needs at least one receptacle, no wall counter space 24 in and wider may be left without an outlet, and spaces 18 in and wider are counted as counter space (210.52(C)). A 12 ft run therefore takes at least 6 outlets at the 24 in spacing, mounted 20 in and under above the counter.

Does a bathroom need an outlet at every sink?

Yes: at least one receptacle outside the splash area adjacent to each washbasin, within 3 ft of the basin edge, GFCI-protected (210.52(D) with 210.8(A)(1)), on a 20A circuit. A double vanity takes two receptacles.

How many small-appliance circuits does a kitchen need?

Two or more 20A small-appliance circuits for the kitchen and dining areas (210.11(A) and (B)), plus a dedicated 20A laundry circuit in the 2020 and 2023 editions, plus a 20A circuit for the bathroom receptacle. Those circuits carry no lighting and do not serve a garage, a laundry, a bathroom, or a heating appliance.

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