Which is bigger, dishwasher or refrigerator?

Refrigerator is 2.8× dishwasher on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

How do dishwashers and refrigerators compare on height?

Dishwasher: 82–88 cm. Refrigerator: 150–185 cm. Refrigerator is 2.1× dishwasher on height.

How do dishwashers and refrigerators compare on width?

Dishwasher: 45–60 cm. Refrigerator: 60–92 cm. Refrigerator is somewhat greater than dishwasher on width — about 1.3×.

Dishwasher vs Refrigerator

Dishwasher vs refrigerator

Refrigerator is larger on weight

Refrigerator is 2.8× dishwasher on weight.

A dishwasher and a refrigerator can be compared on 6 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

Side by side

Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.
	Dishwasher	Refrigerator
Weight	28–58 kg	70–170 kg
Height	82–88 cm	150–185 cm
Width	45–60 cm	60–92 cm
Typical lifespan	7–13 yr	10–17 yr
Typical cost	350–1,800 $	500–3,500 $
Power draw	900–1,800 W	35–90 W

What the numbers say

Refrigerator is 2.8× dishwasher on weight.
Refrigerator is 2.1× dishwasher on height.
Refrigerator is somewhat greater than dishwasher on width — about 1.3×.
Refrigerator is somewhat greater than dishwasher on typical lifespan — about 1.3×.
Refrigerator is 1.8× dishwasher on typical cost.
Dishwasher is 22× refrigerator on power draw.

Weight compared.

Refrigerator 70–170 kg

Dishwasher 28–58 kg

Dishwasher

A built-in cabinet that washes dishes with heated water and detergent on a timed cycle.

Refrigerator

An insulated cabinet that keeps food cold, normally with a separate freezer compartment.

This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

Common questions

Which is bigger, dishwasher or refrigerator?: Refrigerator is 2.8× dishwasher on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do dishwashers and refrigerators compare on height?: Dishwasher: 82–88 cm. Refrigerator: 150–185 cm. Refrigerator is 2.1× dishwasher on height.
How do dishwashers and refrigerators compare on width?: Dishwasher: 45–60 cm. Refrigerator: 60–92 cm. Refrigerator is somewhat greater than dishwasher on width — about 1.3×.

Sources

Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place
ENERGY STAR Product Specifications — US Environmental Protection Agency (Public domain (US Government))

How these figures are compiled and checked