TL;DR: A slider fits based on your mixer's build, not its colour or series name. Tilt-head KitchenAid mixers (Artisan, Classic, 4.5 Qt and 5 Qt) take the square base, which measures 22 cm × 35 cm. The round base is made for 6 Qt bowl-lift mixers only and does not fit the Professional or Heavy-Duty range.
Will a slider fit my KitchenAid? It is the most common question before anyone buys one, and it takes about two minutes to answer. You need to know two things: whether your mixer is a tilt-head or a bowl-lift, and, if it is a bowl-lift, which range it belongs to. The model-by-model table below does the rest.
Is my KitchenAid a tilt-head or a bowl-lift?
Watch how the mixer opens.
- Tilt-head: the whole head tips backwards to lift the beater out of the bowl. The bowl twists onto a clamping plate on the base. The Artisan and Classic, the most common home models, are both tilt-heads.
- Bowl-lift: the head stays fixed. The bowl sits in two arms and a lever on the side raises it up to the beater.
If you want to be certain, find the model number. It is on a plate or sticker on the mixer's base, and our guide to working out which KitchenAid model you have shows where to look. Model numbers starting with K45 or KSM followed by 75, 90, 95 or 150–195 are tilt-heads.
Which slider fits which KitchenAid model?
Willow Haven's bamboo, acacia and ebony walnut sliders all come in the same two base shapes, so this table applies to every timber.
| Your mixer | Build | Bowl size | Willow Haven slider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (K45, K45SS) | Tilt-head | 4.5 Qt | Square base |
| Classic Plus and Ultra Power (KSM75, KSM90, KSM95) | Tilt-head | 4.5 Qt | Square base |
| Artisan (KSM150, KSM152, KSM155, KSM160, KSM175, KSM195) | Tilt-head | 5 Qt (4.8 L) | Square base |
| Artisan Mini | Tilt-head | 3.5 Qt | Not on the fit list |
| 6 Qt bowl-lift (not Professional or Heavy-Duty) | Bowl-lift | 6 Qt | Round base |
| 5 Qt and 5.5 Qt bowl-lift | Bowl-lift | 5–5.5 Qt | Not on the fit list |
| Professional range (any size) | Bowl-lift | Various | No fit |
| Heavy-Duty and commercial models | Bowl-lift | Various | No fit |
"Not on the fit list" means we have not confirmed a fit, so we do not recommend ordering on a guess. "No fit" means the slider is not designed for that mixer.
What size is the square base?
The square base measures 22 cm × 35 cm. It is made for the tilt-head footprint: the four feet sit on the board with the head, bowl and beater above it, and nothing hangs off the edge. The feet grip the timber, and the board glides on its smooth base, so the mixer's feet never touch the bench.
Because the square base covers every 4.5 Qt and 5 Qt tilt-head in the table, you do not need to choose between sizes within the tilt-head range. An Artisan and a Classic take the same slider.
Does the round base fit a Professional or Heavy-Duty bowl-lift?
No. This is the one place people get caught out, and earlier versions of this guide were not clear enough about it.
The round base is sized for 6 Qt bowl-lift mixers only. It does not fit the Professional range or the Heavy-Duty range, even where those models are also bowl-lifts with a similar bowl size. If the badge on your mixer says Professional or Heavy-Duty, a Willow Haven slider is not the right product for it.
It also does not follow that a bowl-lift of any size takes the round base. Smaller 5 Qt and 5.5 Qt bowl-lifts are not on the fit list. If you have one of these, check the model number and get in touch before ordering.
What about the Artisan Mini and other brands?
The Artisan Mini is a smaller tilt-head with a 3.5 Qt bowl. It is not on the fit list for the square slider. See our guide to what fits the KitchenAid Mini before you buy anything for it.
For Kenwood, Sunbeam, Breville or other brands, we only list fits for KitchenAid tilt-heads and 6 Qt bowl-lifts. If you want to try, measure the distance between your mixer's feet, front to back and side to side, and check they sit comfortably inside 22 cm × 35 cm with some margin all round.
How do I measure my mixer's base to be sure?
- Clear the bench and slide the mixer forward onto a tea towel so you can see around it.
- Remove the bowl and look under the front and back edges with a torch to find the four feet. There is no need to tip a heavy mixer over.
- Measure from the outside edge of the left feet to the outside edge of the right feet, then front feet to back feet.
- Compare those two measurements with the slider. You want the feet sitting inside the board with a little margin, not right on the edge.
If your mixer is in the table as a square-base fit, you can skip the tape measure.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Going by colour or series name alone. Check tilt-head versus bowl-lift first.
- Assuming every bowl-lift takes the round base. Only 6 Qt bowl-lifts outside the Professional and Heavy-Duty ranges do.
- Forgetting the extra height. A slider lifts the mixer by the thickness of the board, which matters if a tilt-head only just clears your overhead cupboards when it tips back.
Not sure which timber to choose once you know the base? Our comparison of bamboo, acacia and walnut sliders covers look, weight and care.
Frequently asked questions
Will a tilt-head slider fit a bowl-lift mixer?
No. The square base is made for the tilt-head footprint and the round base for 6 Qt bowl-lifts. Match the base shape to your mixer's build rather than its bowl size.
What slider fits a KitchenAid KSM150 or KSM195?
Both are 5 Qt tilt-head Artisan mixers, so they take the square base, which measures 22 cm × 35 cm. The same square base fits the 4.5 Qt Classic and Ultra Power models.
Does the slider fit a KitchenAid Professional 600?
No. Even though it is a 6 Qt bowl-lift, it belongs to the Professional range, and Willow Haven's round base does not fit Professional or Heavy-Duty models.
Are the bamboo, acacia and walnut sliders the same size?
Yes. All three timbers come in the same square tilt-head base and round 6 Qt bowl-lift base. Choose the timber on look and density, and choose the base on your mixer.
The bottom line
If you have a 4.5 Qt or 5 Qt tilt-head, such as an Artisan or Classic, the answer is simple: the square base fits. If you have a 6 Qt bowl-lift outside the Professional and Heavy-Duty ranges, choose the round base. If you have a Professional, Heavy-Duty, Mini or a smaller bowl-lift, do not order on a guess. When you know your base, pick your timber from the mixer slider range.