Cabinet Parts Names Explained
A frameless cabinet is made of two sides (gables), a bottom, top stretchers or a top, a back, shelves and doors. Knowing the names helps you read plans, talk to a supplier and write a clear cut list. Here is every part, with how its size is usually calculated. Kitchen cabinets, vanities and wardrobes all use the same parts, and each one is called by the name below.
The carcass
| Part | Also called | How it is sized (18 mm board) |
|---|---|---|
| Side | Gable, end panel | Full cabinet height × depth |
| Bottom | Base panel | Cabinet width − 2 × 18 mm |
| Top | Top panel | Same as bottom (wall cabinets and tall units) |
| Stretcher | Top rail | Cabinet width − 2 × 18 mm, about 100 mm deep |
| Back | Back panel | Full width × height, 3–6 mm HDF |
| Shelf | Adjustable shelf | Opening − 2 mm, depth − 20 to 40 mm |
| Divider | Partition, mid panel | Inside height × depth |
Stretchers
Base cabinets usually have two stretchers instead of a top panel: one at the front, one at the back. They hold the sides square, save board, and give you something to screw the worktop through. Sink cabinets often have only the back stretcher, or a front one turned on edge.
Toe kick (plinth)
The toe kick is the recess at the bottom of a base cabinet that lets you stand close to the worktop without hitting your toes. It is usually 100–150 mm high and 50–75 mm deep. In European kitchens the cabinets stand on adjustable legs and a separate plinth board clips on in front; in North America the toe kick is often notched into the sides.
Doors and drawers
| Part | How it is sized |
|---|---|
| Full-overlay door | Cabinet width − 3 mm gap per side (one door) |
| Pair of doors | (Width − 3 gaps of 3 mm) ÷ 2 |
| Drawer front | Like a door, height of the drawer opening − 3 mm |
| Drawer side | Inside depth − clearance; height = opening − about 40 mm |
| Drawer front/back | Inside width − 26 mm (slides) − 2 × board thickness |
| Drawer bottom | Fits in a groove or is screwed under the box |
Hardware words you will meet
- Hinge cup: the 35 mm round hole drilled in the door for a concealed hinge.
- System 32: rows of 5 mm holes 32 mm apart for shelf pins and hinges.
- Confirmat: a thick screw for joining chipboard and MDF panels.
- Edge banding: the strip glued to visible edges of melamine and MDF.
From names to a cut list
The base cabinet plan below uses these exact parts and calculates every size from the width, height and depth you enter.
Frequently asked questions
What is a toe kick on a cabinet?
The recessed space at the bottom front of a base cabinet, usually 100–150 mm high and 50–75 mm deep, so you can stand close to the worktop.
What is a cabinet stretcher?
A horizontal rail between the sides at the top of a base cabinet. It replaces a full top panel and is used to screw the worktop from below.
What is a cabinet gable?
Another name for a cabinet side, especially a visible end side.