Installing a built-in induction cooktop means four jobs: making sure your counter cutout matches the new cooktop’s size, having a dedicated 208/240-volt circuit of the right amperage, connecting the cooktop’s cable to a junction box, and securing it in the counter. If you’re swapping out an electric cooktop of the same size with a matching circuit, it can be a simple swap. Replacing gas almost always needs a licensed electrician, a new circuit and often a permit. Always follow the installation guide for your exact model.
We installed our own induction cooktop nine years ago, replacing gas, and for this site my electrician and I have installed every built-in cooktop I test into a temporary plywood counter in my kitchen. This guide covers the steps, what to check before you buy, and what our installs cost. It’s not a substitute for your model’s manual or a licensed electrician.
Induction installation at a glance
- The circuit must be a dedicated 208/240-volt circuit, usually 30 to 50 amps; check the model’s guide.
- Most built-ins are hardwired to a junction box, with no plug.
- The counter cutout must match the new cooktop’s cutout dimensions.
- The guide lists the clearance needed below for airflow and above to cabinets or a hood.
- A like-for-like electric swap can be done yourself; a new circuit needs an electrician.
- We paid $650 for a new circuit and permit, and $0 for a same-size swap we did ourselves.
Before you buy: four checks
- Measure your current cutout (width, depth, and the corner radius if it’s rounded) and the counter thickness.
- Check your circuit: look at the breaker label for the cooktop. Note the amps and whether it’s a double-pole (240 volts) breaker.
- Look below the counter: is there an oven, drawer or cabinet? Some cooktops need a set gap for airflow or can’t go over certain wall ovens.
- Download the installation guide for every model you’re considering. It lists the cutout, circuit, clearances and approved ovens below.
Cutout dimensions and fit
Cooktops of the same nominal size (30-inch or 36-inch) don’t all use the same cutout. A new cooktop must cover the old hole completely and fit inside it without cutting more than the guide allows. If the new cutout is bigger, the counter must be cut, which is risky on stone. If it’s smaller, the cooktop’s edge may not cover the old hole.
| Cooktop | Nominal size | Cutout width × depth | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch 500 Series NIT5060UC | 30 inches | 28 7/8 × 20 inches | Abt |
| Bosch Benchmark NITP060UC | 30 inches | 28 7/8 × 20 inches | AJ Madison |
| Frigidaire Gallery GCCI3067AB | 30 inches | 28 1/2 to 29 7/8 × 19 5/8 to 20 1/2 inches | Spec sheet |
| Bosch 500 Series NIT5663UC | 36 inches | 34 7/8 × 20 inches | Abt |
| Frigidaire Gallery GCCI3670BM | 36 inches | 33 7/8 to 36 1/8 × 19 1/8 to 20 1/2 inches | Town Appliance |
When we replaced our gas cooktop, the new cutout was half an inch wider; our granite installer widened it on site for $150. To shop by size, read Best 30-Inch Induction Cooktops, Best 36-Inch Induction Cooktops and Best 24-Inch Induction Cooktops.
Electrical requirements
Most built-in induction cooktops need a dedicated 208/240-volt circuit on a double-pole breaker, usually 30 to 50 amps, with wire sized for that breaker. The exact breaker is in the installation guide; cooktops of the same size can differ. Our KitchenAid test cooktop needed 50 amps while the Frigidaire Gallery needed 30 amps. For the full breakdown, read Induction Cooktop Electrical Requirements.
How to install an induction cooktop, step by step
This is the general order my electrician follows. Your model’s guide comes first wherever it differs.
- Turn off power at the breaker and confirm it’s off at the junction box with a voltage tester.
- Remove the old cooktop: undo the mounting clips or brackets, lift it out, and disconnect it from the junction box. For gas, a licensed pro shuts off and caps the gas line.
- Check the cutout against the new guide; trim the counter only if the guide allows and the material can be cut safely.
- Check the circuit: breaker size, wire gauge and grounding must match the guide and local code.
- Fit the gasket or seal and any mounting brackets supplied with the cooktop.
- Connect the cable: the cooktop’s armored cable connects to the junction box (typically two hot wires, ground, and sometimes neutral), using the connectors the guide specifies.
- Lower the cooktop in without pinching the cable, and keep the cable away from the air intake and exhaust.
- Secure it with the supplied clips or brackets.
- Restore power and test each zone with a magnetic pan of water. Run the fan and check for error codes. For more, read Induction Cooktop Error Codes by Brand.
Replacing gas, electric or a range
| You have now | What’s usually needed | Typical difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Radiant electric cooktop, same size | Check amps match; maybe adjust cutout | Easiest |
| Gas cooktop | New 240-volt circuit, gas line capped, cutout check, permit | Hardest |
| Electric range | Switch to an induction range on the same outlet, or rebuild the counter for a cooktop | Range swap is easy; cooktop is a remodel |
| Gas range | New 240-volt outlet and capped gas line | Moderate |
Thinking about switching? See induction vs gas and induction vs electric.
Clearances, ovens below and ventilation
- Underneath, induction electronics need cooling air. Many guides require a gap or a vented panel below, and some limit which wall ovens or drawers can go under the cooktop.
- Above, the guide lists the minimum distance to cabinets and to a range hood.
- At the sides, it lists the distance needed to walls or tall cabinets.
- Induction still produces cooking smoke and grease; a hood vented outside is best. Some cooktops pair with the hood automatically. If you’d like the vent built into the cooktop, read Best Induction Cooktops with Downdraft Ventilation.
One cooktop on my test counter shut down with an overheat error after 40 minutes because the drawer below blocked its air intake; adding the vented panel from the guide fixed it.
What induction cooktop installation costs
Installation cost depends mostly on whether you need a new circuit and counter work. Prices vary a lot by region, so get at least two written quotes. These are our real invoices:
| Job | What we paid | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Same-size swap, our Frigidaire to the Bosch, DIY | $0 (2 hours) | 2024 |
| Electrician: new 50-amp, 240-volt circuit + permit | $650 | 2017 |
| Capping the gas line (plumber) | $120 | 2017 |
| Widening granite cutout | $150 | 2017 |
| Retailer installation for a like-for-like swap | $199 quoted | October 2026 |
Rebates may help with the cooktop or wiring in some states. For more, read How Much Does an Induction Cooktop Cost in 2026? and Induction Stove Rebates and Tax Credits.
DIY or hire a pro?
- DIY may be reasonable if: you’re replacing an electric cooktop, the breaker and wire already match the new guide, the cutout fits, and you’re comfortable working with 240-volt wiring with the power off.
- Hire a licensed electrician if: you need a new circuit, a bigger breaker, a panel upgrade, or you’re switching from gas, or local rules require it.
- Check the warranty, because some makers require professional installation for coverage.
Mistakes we’ve seen
- Buying before checking the cutout and the amps.
- Reusing a 30-amp circuit for a cooktop that needs 40 or 50 amps.
- Blocking the cooling air with a drawer or insulation.
- Pinching the cable when lowering the cooktop.
- Over-tightening clips and cracking the glass.
- Skipping the permit and running into trouble when selling the house.
FAQ
Can I install an induction cooktop myself?
If you’re replacing an electric cooktop with a matching circuit and cutout and know how to work safely with 240-volt wiring, it can be a DIY job. New circuits, panel work and gas conversions should be done by a licensed electrician.
Do you need an electrician to install an induction cooktop?
You need one if a new or upgraded 240-volt circuit is required, and many areas require a licensed electrician and permit for that work. A like-for-like electric swap may not need one; check local rules.
Can I replace my electric cooktop with induction?
Usually yes. Check that the new cooktop’s cutout fits your counter and that your breaker and wire match the amperage in its installation guide.
Can an induction cooktop be installed over an oven?
Often, but only with the ovens and clearances listed in the cooktop’s installation guide, because the electronics need cooling air.
How much does it cost to install an induction cooktop?
It ranges from nothing for a DIY electric swap to several hundred dollars or more for a new circuit, permit and counter work. Get at least two written local quotes.
Does an induction cooktop plug in?
Most built-in induction cooktops are hardwired to a junction box. Portable induction burners plug into a regular 120-volt outlet.