Drawer size calculator
Calculate the drawer box outer width and the cutting sizes of the sides, front and back and bottom from the cabinet width and slide clearance.
Result
Enter the outer width of the cabinet.
- Drawer box outer width
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- Box length
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These sizes do not replace the values in the slide catalog; the slide manufacturer’s clearance and length chart takes priority. With a nailed-on bottom, the bottom thickness adds to the box height. In moducut you pick the slide and the sizes follow from it.
See the cut listHow do you calculate drawer sizes?
- Carcass inner width = cabinet outer width − 2 × carcass board thickness.
- Box outer width = carcass inner width − 2 × slide clearance. For side-mounted ball-bearing telescopic slides, the clearance is usually 12.5–13 mm per side.
- Box length = slide length. The sides (2 pcs) are box length × box height and run the full length.
- Front and back (2 pcs) = (box outer width − 2 × box board thickness) × box height; they fit between the sides.
- A bottom nailed on underneath is box outer width × box length; a bottom set in a groove is (box outer width − 2 × box thickness + 2 × groove depth) × (box length − 2 × box thickness + 2 × groove depth).
Worked example
600 mm cabinet, 18 mm carcass: inner width 600 − 36 = 564 mm. With 12.5 mm slide clearance, the box outer width is 564 − 25 = 539 mm. With a 450 mm slide, a 150 mm box height and 18 mm board: 2 sides 450 × 150 mm, front and back 539 − 36 = 503 × 150 mm, nailed-on bottom 539 × 450 mm.
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Frequently asked
questions
For side-mounted ball-bearing telescopic slides, usually 12.5–13 mm per side, 25–26 mm in total. The value in the slide manufacturer’s catalog is what counts; too little clearance makes the drawer bind, too much and the slide will not seat.
Choose the longest standard slide that fits the inner depth of the cabinet; slides usually come in 50 mm steps. The drawer box length is taken as equal to the slide length.
No. The tool calculates the drawer box; the visible drawer front is sized separately like a door and screwed to the front of the box.
