How to Measure a Hole for an Oval Sink

How to Install a Vessel Sink Into a Granite Countertop
Written By
B.T. Alo
B.T. Alo
Published: Sep 7, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Making the Template

  1. Place your sink rim-side down on the cardboard. Trace around the outline of the sink with the pencil. You can trace directly onto the countertop, but there is less chance of damaging the countertop if you create a template of the sink hole out of cardboard.

  2. Measure 1/2 inch in from the edge of the traced oval and mark a dot. Make dots every 2 inches all the way around the inside of the traced oval at the 1/2-inch mark. Connect the dots to create an oval 1 inch smaller in diameter than the sink rim.

  3. Cut out the cardboard template along the line for the smaller oval. Your sink template is now ready to be used to cut the hole in your counter for fitting the sink in place.

Transferring the Template

  1. Fold the template in half lengthwise and widthwise so that a mark is left on each side at the halfway point. Flatten the template out again, making sure the halfway points are still visible.

  2. Locate the position on your counter where the center of your sink will go and trace two faint pencil lines through this point that run vertically and horizontally at right angles to each other and to the edge of the counter.

  3. Place the template over the counter and match up the halfway points of the template with the pencil lines to get your sink hole position. Trace around the template onto the counter.

Tips

If your oval sink is to be set above the counter, rather than fully inset into the counter, a simple trick to measure for the hole is to cut the pencil to the height the sink will be inset. For example, if your sink is to be set with 5 inches below the counter and the rest above, cut the pencil so that it is 5 inches long. Stand the sink upright and trace around it with the top of the pencil touching the sink bowl at all times; you will get an oval template that is the right size to fit your sink so that it sits above the counter.

Photo Credits

basin sink image by Liz Van Steenburgh from Fotolia.com

B.T. Alo

B.T. Alo is media director, chief writer and editor for a U.S.-based marketing and consulting firm. He holds a bachelor's degree in business and communications. Alo's interests include business, investments, electronics, personal finance,…

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