How do I measure for drawer boxes?

This article is a general reference for measuring for our drawer boxes with 5/8" thick sides and a 1/2" bottom recess. Our drawer boxes are custom made to the 1/16".

If you are reusing old drawer slides, you can measure the outside of your existing drawer box. These are the dimensions needed to make a new drawer. If the box you are replacing is missing or hard to measure, use a box from a different opening that is the same size.

You must first decide what type of drawer slides you want to use. There are two main styles that we recommend: Side Mount and Under Mount. These terms refer to how the slide mounts to the drawer box. Both mount to the cabinet in similar ways.

Measure the exact width and height of your opening. Also, measure from the face of the cabinet to the back inside wall of the cabinet.

For the new drawer box width, subtract 3/8" from the opening width. If using a drawer box with 1/2" thick sides, subtract 5/8".

To determine the drawer box height, subtract at least 7/8" from the opening height.
The depth of the new drawer box MUST match the slide length. Available slide lengths are 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21" in standard duty and 18, 21, 24, 27, and 30" in heavy duty. Kitchen cabinets will usually use a 21" slide so the drawer box must be exactly 21". Bathroom cabinets usually need 18" slides with 18" deep drawer boxes.

Measure the exact width and height of your opening. Also, measure from the face of the cabinet to the back inside wall of the cabinet.

For the new drawer box width, subtract 1-1/16" from the opening width. This is regardless of drawer box side thickness.

To determine the drawer box height, subtract at least 1/2" from the opening height.

The outside depth dimension of the new drawer should usually match the slide length. But this is not as critical as with under mount slides. Kitchen cabinets usually need 22" slides and bathrooms usually need 18" slides.