Free tool · Cabinet & door sizing
Drawer Slide Calculator
Enter the cabinet depth and opening width, and get the longest standard slide that fits plus the matching drawer box width and depth.
Drawer Slide Calculator, explained
What size drawer slide do I need?
Side-mount drawer slides come in even standard lengths (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 inches), and the slide must not be longer than the cabinet is deep inside. So you pick the longest standard length that fits the cabinet interior depth, and the drawer box is built to that same length. For a cabinet 22 inches deep inside, you use a 21 or 22 inch box on a matching slide, commonly a 22 inch slide if there is room for the front to clear.
Standard side-mount slides also need 1/2 inch of clearance on each side of the drawer box, so the box is built 1 inch narrower than the opening. This calculator takes your cabinet depth and opening width and returns the recommended slide length, the drawer box width (opening minus clearance), and the box depth (the slide length), in inches or millimeters.
How it works
How the Drawer Slide Calculator works.
Box width = opening width - (2 x side clearance) | Slide length = largest standard <= cabinet depth | Box depth = slide length - Choose inches or millimeters.
- Enter the cabinet interior depth, front to back.
- Enter the drawer opening width.
- Adjust the side clearance if your slides differ from the standard 1/2 inch per side.
- Read the recommended slide length and the drawer box width and depth to build to.
Example: a cabinet 24 inches deep with an 18 inch wide opening, on standard 1/2 inch side-mount slides, takes a 24 inch slide and a drawer box 17 inches wide by 24 inches deep.
Drawer Slide Calculator FAQ
Drawer Slide Calculatorquestions.
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How do I choose drawer slide length?
Pick the longest standard slide that is not longer than the inside depth of the cabinet. Side-mount slides come in 2 inch increments from 10 to 24 inches, and the drawer box is built to the slide length.
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How much narrower should a drawer box be than the opening?
For standard side-mount slides, 1 inch narrower total, which is 1/2 inch of clearance on each side. Undermount slides have their own clearance spec, usually a few millimeters, so check the instructions.
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Can a drawer slide be shorter than the cabinet?
Yes. A shorter slide works fine and is sometimes necessary to clear plumbing or wiring, you just lose a little drawer depth. The slide should never be longer than the cabinet interior.
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How do I measure existing drawer slides?
Pull the drawer out and measure the metal slide along its length from the front mounting screw to the back, not the drawer box itself. Note whether the slide mounts on the side, center, or undermount. This drawer-slide calculator helps you confirm the correct length so your replacement matches the cabinet opening cleanly.
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How do I measure a drawer box for undermount slides?
Measure the inside cabinet opening depth, then size the drawer box so it sits about 5/8 inch shorter than that depth, since undermount slides need clearance behind the box. Box width must also account for the runner thickness on each side. The calculator handles those offsets so the box and slide fit together correctly.
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What size drawer slides do I need for a 24 inch cabinet?
A 24 inch deep base cabinet typically takes a 22 inch slide, since slides come in 2 inch increments and need to clear the face frame and back of the box. Always measure your actual interior depth first, because frameless and face-frame cabinets differ. Enter your numbers in the calculator to get the matching slide length.
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How do I calculate drawer slide length for a cabinet?
Start with the usable interior depth of the cabinet, subtract any face-frame overhang at the front and rear clearance, then round down to the nearest standard slide length. Most slides step in 2 inch increments. This calculator does the rounding and clearance math for you so you order the right length the first time.
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What are the main types of drawer slides?
The common types are side-mount ball bearing slides, center-mount roller slides, and undermount slides that hide beneath the box for a clean look. Each needs different box clearances and measurements. Knowing which type you have changes the sizing, so pick your slide style in the calculator before entering dimensions to get accurate results.
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