Standard Drawer Dimensions
A standard dresser drawer is about 14–18 in (36–46 cm) deep inside, 4–10 in (10–25 cm) tall and 15–36 in (38–91 cm) wide; a kitchen drawer box is 21–22 in (53–56 cm) long to fit a 24 in deep base cabinet; a file drawer needs about 12 in (letter) or 15 in (legal) between its rails. The drawer box is always a little smaller than the opening it slides into, by an amount that depends on the slides.
Dresser drawer dimensions
| Drawer | Inside height | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Top drawers | 4–6 in (10–15 cm) | Socks, underwear, jewellery |
| Middle drawers | 6–8 in (15–20 cm) | Shirts, T-shirts |
| Bottom drawers | 8–10 in (20–25 cm) | Sweaters, jeans, bedding |
| Depth (front to back) | 14–18 in (36–46 cm) inside | in a dresser 18–20 in deep |
| Width | 15–36 in (38–91 cm) | two narrow drawers side by side over 36 in |
Graduated drawers, shallow at the top and deeper at the bottom, look balanced and match what goes in each. See dresser dimensions for the whole piece.
Kitchen drawer dimensions
| Drawer | Inside height | Box length |
|---|---|---|
| Cutlery | 3–4 in (75–100 mm) | 21–22 in (530–560 mm) |
| Utensils, towels | 6–8 in (150–200 mm) | 21–22 in |
| Pots and pans | 9–12 in (230–300 mm) | 21–22 in |
| Width | 12–36 in (300–900 mm) | wider than 36 in only with heavy-duty slides |
A three-drawer base cabinet is usually split 6 / 10 / 14 in in drawer front height. See kitchen cabinet dimensions for the cabinets.
File cabinet drawer dimensions
| Folder | Width between the rails | Clear height | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter-size hanging folders | about 12 in (305 mm) | at least 10 1/4 in (260 mm) | 18–26 in |
| Legal-size hanging folders | about 15 in (381 mm) | at least 10 1/4 in (260 mm) | 18–26 in |
| Lateral file, letter side to side | 30–42 in wide drawer | at least 10 1/4 in | 15–18 in |
The rails are the two edges the folder hooks hang from: the drawer sides themselves, or metal bars fitted inside. Our filing cabinet plan sizes the drawer for letter or legal folders.
Other drawers
| Drawer | Inside height | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Nightstand | 3–5 in (8–13 cm) | 12–16 in |
| Desk pencil drawer | 1 1/2–3 in (4–8 cm) | 14–20 in |
| Desk box drawer | 4–6 in (10–15 cm) | 14–20 in |
| Vanity drawer | 3–6 in | 18 in, notched for pipes |
Drawer box size from the opening
| Slide | Box width | Box height | Box length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side-mount ball-bearing | opening − 1 in (25.4 mm) | opening − 3/4 to 1 in | the slide length |
| Undermount (concealed) | opening − about 3/8 in (10 mm), by brand | opening − about 1 in | the slide length |
| Wooden runners | opening − 1/16 in | opening − 1/8 in | cabinet depth − 1/2 in |
Slides come in 2 in steps from 10 to 28 in: pick the longest one that fits the inside depth of the cabinet, then make the box that long. See how to build drawers and drawer slide types.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard size of a dresser drawer?
About 14–18 in (36–46 cm) deep inside, 4–10 in (10–25 cm) tall and 15–36 in (38–91 cm) wide. Top drawers are the shallowest, 4–6 in; bottom drawers the tallest, 8–10 in.
How deep is a standard kitchen drawer?
The box is 21–22 in (53–56 cm) long, to fit 21 or 22 in slides in a 24 in deep base cabinet. Heights: 3–4 in inside for cutlery, 6–8 in for utensils, 9–12 in for pots.
How wide is a file drawer for hanging folders?
About 12 in (305 mm) between the rails for letter-size hanging folders and 15 in (381 mm) for legal size, with at least 10 1/4 in (260 mm) of clear height inside.
How much smaller than the opening is a drawer box?
1 in (25.4 mm) narrower for side-mount ball-bearing slides, about 3/8 in (10 mm) for undermount slides; about 3/4–1 in lower than the opening, and as long as the slides.