Bench joinery
Drawer box between slides
- where
- outside box width (mm)
- cabinet opening (mm)
- left and right slide allowances (mm)
- between-side piece length (mm)
- side thickness (mm)
Explain this equation
Gives the outside width of a drawer box to suit its runners, and the length of the front and back pieces fitted between the sides.
O is the cabinet opening in millimetres. al and ar are the spaces each runner needs, from the slide maker's data. Wbox is the outside width of the box. t is the thickness of each side, and lb the length of a front or back piece that fits between them.
The box fills the opening minus the runner space on each side. The front and back sit inside the two sides, so they are shorter by 2t.
A 600 mm opening with 12.7 mm slides each side gives a 574.6 mm box. With 18 mm sides the front and back are 538.6 mm.
Watch out: use the slide manufacturer's figures and tolerances. Overlay or inset fronts are sized separately.
Calculate box width and a front/back piece fitted between equal sides.
Enter your values to see the result.
Good to know
Use the slide manufacturer’s required clearance, tolerances and drawer system. Does not size drawer depth or inset/overlay fronts.
Limits
Flooring gaps, slide clearances, fire-door gaps, fixing schedules and finishes must follow the design and product instructions.
Sources
- Geometry / arithmetic
This is a calculation aid, not a structural design or compliance certificate. Every default is an example, not a specification for your project.