Cabinet drawer spacing is a key element in cabinetry design that affects the aesthetic, function, and usability of your cabinets. Understanding how to measure and calculate drawer spacing accurately ensures smooth operation, balanced looks, and optimized storage space.
Cabinet Drawer Spacing Calculator
Calculate drawer heights and vertical spacing for cabinets
1. Why Drawer Spacing Matters
- Visual Consistency: Equal reveals (the visible gap between drawers and doors) create a clean and professional appearance.
- Functional Clearance: Adequate spacing avoids drawer interference and allows smooth opening.
- Hardware Fit: Ensures drawer slides fit perfectly with appropriate clearance.
- Design Flexibility: Proper spacing supports mixing drawer sizes and stacking in multi-drawer layouts.
2. Standard Drawer Reveal Dimensions
A drawer reveal is the gap between adjacent drawer faces or between drawer faces and cabinet edges.
| Reveal Type | Typical Measurement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Side Reveal (between faces) | 1/8 inch (3 mm) | Standard on most kitchen cabinets |
| Top Reveal (between drawer and countertop) | 1/8 inch (3 mm) | Allows countertop overlay clearance |
| Bottom Drawer to Floor | Flush or 0 inch | Bottom drawer sometimes flush with cabinet base |
Source: Reddit cabinetry discussions and cabinetry best practices
3. Cabinet Height and Drawer Layout
In standard kitchens, cabinets are usually 34.5″ tall with a 3.5″ kick base, leaving 31″ for drawer and door stacking.
| Cabinet Height (inches) | Kick Base Height (inches) | Usable Height (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 34.5 | 3.5 | 31 |
You then divide the usable height into drawer and door face heights, subtracting reveals.
4. Calculating Drawer Spacing: Step by Step
- Determine Reveal Size: Often ⅛” between drawer faces.
- Measure Cabinet Opening: Height and width of the opening where drawers fit.
- Subtract Total Reveals:
- For example, in a stack of 3 drawers, there are 2 reveals between drawers and 1 between top drawer and countertop.
- Divide Remaining Space Equally: For equal-sized drawer faces.
- Drawer Box Clearance: Allow at least 1/4″ clearance on top and bottom between drawer box and cabinet opening for sliding hardware.
5. Table 1: Drawer Spacing Example for a Standard 31" Usable Height Cabinet with 3 Drawers
| Item | Dimension (inches) | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Usable Height | 31 | Cabinet height – kick base |
| Number of Drawer Faces | 3 | |
| Reveal Between Faces | 1/8" per gap = 2 gaps | 0.125" × 2 = 0.25 |
| Reveal Between Top Drawer and Countertop | ⅛” | 0.125" |
| Total Reveal Space | 0.375 | 0.25 + 0.125 |
| Space Left for Drawer Faces | 30.625 | 31 - 0.375 |
| Equal Drawer Face Height | 10.2 | 30.625 / 3 |
6. Drawer Width and Hardware Clearance
Side-mount drawer slides normally require approximately ½ inch clearance on each side.
| Cabinet Opening Width (inches) | Drawer Box Width (inches) |
|---|---|
| 15 | 14 (15 - 0.5 - 0.5) |
| 18 | 17 (18 - 0.5 - 0.5) |
| 24 | 23 (24 - 0.5 - 0.5) |
7. Table 2: Recommended Drawer Box Sizes Based on Opening Width
| Opening Width | Side Clearance per Slide | Total Clearance Needed | Max Drawer Box Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12" | ½" | 1" | 11" |
| 15" | ½" | 1" | 14" |
| 18" | ½" | 1" | 17" |
| 24" | ½" | 1" | 23" |
Note: Clearance varies slightly by hardware manufacturer.
8. Drawer Face Design: Overlay, Flush, or Inset
| Design Type | Description | Impact on Spacing |
|---|---|---|
| Overlay | Drawer face covers cabinet frame partially | Smaller reveals, standard ⅛" spacing |
| Flush | Drawer face level with cabinet face | Requires precise spacing with reveals |
| Inset | Drawer face fits inside frame opening | More precise and slightly larger reveals |
9. Table 3: Typical Kitchen Drawer Height Ranges
| Drawer Type | Typical Height (inches) | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Utensil/Flatware | 3 – 4 | Cutlery, utensils |
| Small Storage | 4 – 6 | Gadgets, small tools |
| Medium Storage | 6 – 9 | Pots, pans, large utensils |
| Deep Drawers | 9 – 12 | Large bakeware, bulky storage |
10. Drawer Slide Types and Required Clearances
Side-mount slides
- Require about ½” clearance on each side.
- Allow full extension and better weight capacity.
Undermount slides
- Typically require ⅜” clearance.
- More aesthetic with concealed hardware.
11. Table 4: Recommended Clearances for Different Drawer Hardware
| Drawer Slide Type | Required Side Clearance | Required Vertical Clearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side-mount | ½” (12.7 mm) | ¼” – ½” | Most common |
| Undermount | ⅜” (9.5 mm) | ⅜” – ½” | Sleek look, higher cost |
| Center-mount | Varies, typically >1” | Larger than side/undermount | Rare, for specialty applications |
12. Planning Multiple Drawer Stacks
Example layout for 4 drawers in a 31" usable height cabinet:
| Item | Dimension (inches) | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Usable height | 31 | |
| Number of drawers | 4 | |
| Total reveals (⅛” between drawers + ⅛” between bottom & cabinet base) | 5 × 1/8” = 0.625 (5 reveals) | 4 spaces + bottom + top reveals |
| Height for drawer faces | 30.375 | 31 - 0.625 |
| Height per drawer face | 7.5 | 30.375 / 4 |
13. Tips for Accurate Drawer Spacing
- Always measure openings you’ll install slides in for precise fit.
- Use consistent reveal spacing (commonly ⅛”).
- Account for hardware specifications early.
- Plan for countertop overhang when calculating top drawer reveal.
- Square and level cabinet frames make consistent spacing simpler.
14. Table 5: Sample Drawer Face Spacing Configurations
| Number of Drawers | Reveal Size (in) | Total Height (in) | Drawer Face Height (in) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0.125 | 31 | ~10.2 | Typical kitchen base cabinet |
| 4 | 0.125 | 31 | ~7.5 | Deep bottom drawers |
| 5 | 0.125 | 31 | ~5.9 | Higher countertop reveal |
Conclusion
Getting your cabinet drawer spacing right is essential for balance, function, and appearance. Using standard reveals, consistent clearances for hardware, and planning your drawer layout carefully ensures smooth operation and a seamless look. Accurate measurements and consideration of your slide hardware specifications are key to success.
Remember these key points:
- Use a ⅛” reveal between drawer faces for a clean, professional appearance.
- Allow hardware clearance — usually ½" total width clearance for side-mount drawer slides.
- Subtract reveals and clearances from cabinet opening to size drawer faces.
- Plan vertical spacing carefully, taking countertop reveals into account.
- Use the tables to help calculate heights and widths for your drawer stacks.
Whether you're cabinetry hobbyist or a professional, careful planning of drawer spacing makes a significant difference in your project’s success.