Drawer Dimensions Calculator
Enter your exact cabinet measurements below to generate your custom cut list.
How to Use the Drawer Dimensions Calculator
To get your exact cut list, carefully measure your cabinet box and enter the dimensions below:
1. Calculate Cut List: Click the button to instantly generate the exact dimensions you need to cut your front, back, side, and bottom pieces for a perfectly fitting drawer box!
2. Inside Cabinet Depth: Measure the interior depth of your cabinet box. Pull your tape measure from the very back wall to the inside edge of the front face frame (or the front edge of a frameless cabinet box). Enter the whole inches in the first box and the fraction in the second box.
3. Cabinet Opening Width: Measure the exact physical width of the opening that the drawer box will pass through. Enter the whole inches in the first box and the exact fraction in the second box.
Introduction
Building custom drawers can be intimidating, especially when you have to calculate the exact clearances for side-mount or undermount drawer slides. A fraction of an inch off, and your brand-new drawer won't open smoothly or, worse, won't even fit into the cabinet box.
That is where our free Drawer Dimensions Calculator comes in. Instead of wrestling with fractional math and standard slide deductions, simply plug in your existing cabinet measurements. The tool will instantly do the math for you and generate a custom cut list so you can start building with confidence.
How Do You Calculate Drawer Dimensions?
- Width: For standard side-mount slides, build the drawer box exactly 1 inch narrower than the cabinet opening (leaving 1/2 inch of clearance per side).
- Depth: Build the drawer box 1 to 2 inches shallower than the total inside cabinet depth to leave room for the slides and back-wall clearance.
- Materials: Standard DIY drawer boxes use 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch plywood for the sides, front, and back, with a 1/4-inch plywood bottom panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much smaller should a drawer be than the opening?
A. For standard side-mount slides, the outer width of the drawer box needs to be exactly 1 inch narrower than the cabinet opening (which leaves 1/2 inch of clearance per side). Undermount slides have different specific requirements, usually requiring the drawer to be 3/8 to 5/8 inches narrower depending on the slide brand and your plywood thickness.
Q. How deep should my drawer box be?
A. A good rule of thumb is to make your drawer box 1 to 2 inches shorter than your total inside cabinet depth. Drawer slides are typically sold in even-inch increments (16", 18", 20", 22"). You will want to choose a slide length that fits inside your cabinet, and build your drawer box to match the length of that slide.
Q. What is the best material for DIY drawer boxes?
A. Baltic birch plywood (typically 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch thick) is considered the gold standard for DIY drawer boxes. It is incredibly strong, void-free, holds screws exceptionally well, and looks beautiful when finished with a simple clear coat.
Planning your next project? Browse our master hub of Free DIY Home & Garden Calculators to get instant material lists, spacing math, and budget estimates.