Drawer Box Size Calculator

Inputs

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Used for clearance guidance only. Final clearance comes from the exact slide manufacturer.
Finished cabinet opening width measured inside the face frame or case sides.
in
Finished drawer opening height before top and bottom clearance.
in
Usable inside depth from front reference to the back obstruction.
in
Clearance between each drawer side and the cabinet opening. Many side-mount slides use 1/2 in per side.
in
Gap above the drawer box under the rail, shelf or opening top.
in
Gap below the drawer box for slide hardware, reveal and bottom rail clearance.
in
Depth reserved at the front for drawer front, clips, bumpers or inset/reveal details.
in
Depth left behind the drawer for slide over-travel, back panels, sockets or obstructions.
in
Thickness of drawer sides, front and back. Front/back panels are assumed to fit between full-length sides.
in
Inset from the outside box footprint to the bottom panel edge. Use 0 for a bottom attached to the full outside footprint.
in
Used only to estimate usable interior height and volume.
in

Results

Default result
Edit inputs
Box width(W_box)
20in
Pass

opening width minus both side clearances

Also computed

Box height(H_box)Pass4.25in

opening height minus top and bottom clearance

Box depth(D_box)Pass21in

cabinet depth minus front setback and back clearance

Side panel length21in

full box depth

Side panel height4.25in

same as outside box height

Front/back panel width19in

front/back panels fit between full-length sides

Front/back panel height4.25in

Drawer box sizing previewDrawer box sizing previewOpening clearance sets box width; cabinet depth and setbacks set box depth.cabinet openingside clearanceside clearancebox depth21.00 inbox size20.00 x 4.25 inPreview is dimensional only. Slide model, locking devices, face frame, reveals, front clips and joinery details control final shop layout.
Method notes 4 notes
  • Box width = opening width - 2*side clearance.
  • Box height = opening height - top clearance - bottom clearance.
  • Box depth = cabinet inside depth - front setback - back clearance.
  • This assumes full-depth side panels with front/back panels captured between them. Adjust for rabbets, dovetails, lock joints, drawer fronts and exact slide manufacturer instructions.

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