Drawer Inner Dimensions Research¶
Date: 2026-02-27 Status: Research Scope: European drawer inner dimensions — kitchen (cutlery, pots & pans), desk, bathroom
1. Official & Industry Standards¶
DIN EN 1116:2018 — Kitchen Furniture Coordinating Sizes¶
The only formal European standard governing kitchen furniture dimensions is DIN EN 1116:2018 (also published as BS EN 1116:2018 and NEN-EN 1116:2018). It is an 18-page document that specifies coordinating sizes for:
- Kitchen units and worktops
- Furniture fronts and decorative panels
- Recess panelling
- Kitchen appliances (white goods, ovens)
- Installation elements (sinks)
The standard applies to residential kitchens only (not commercial/hospitality). It defines height, width, and depth coordination dimensions, as well as appliance integration spaces.
There is no equivalent DIN/EN standard that specifically prescribes inner drawer dimensions. Inner drawer sizing is a derived consequence of cabinet carcass dimensions and drawer hardware, both of which follow the DIN EN 1116 coordination grid.
De Facto Industry Standards¶
While no standard dictates exact inner drawer sizes, two conventions create de facto standardization:
| Convention | Details |
|---|---|
| 50 mm width grid | European kitchen cabinets use a 50 mm increment grid for widths: 200, 250, 300, 400, 450, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000 mm |
| 600 mm carcass depth | Standard base unit carcass depth is 560–580 mm (fits under 600 mm worktop) |
| 54 mm insert height | Cutlery inserts are universally designed around 54 mm height as a reference measurement |
2. Drawer Hardware Manufacturer Standards¶
The two dominant European drawer hardware manufacturers (Blum and Hettich) define standard drawer side heights that the entire industry builds around.
Blum TANDEMBOX Side Heights¶
| Code | Side Height | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| N | 69 mm | Cutlery / utensil drawers |
| M | 84 mm | Cutlery / utensil drawers |
| K | 116 mm | General storage |
| C | 171 mm | Pots & pans |
| D | 200–203 mm | Deep pots & pans, tall items |
Blum LEGRABOX Side Heights¶
| Code | Side Height | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| N | 66.5 mm | Cutlery / utensil drawers |
| M | 90.5 mm | Cutlery / utensil drawers |
| K | 128.5 mm | General storage |
| C | 177 mm | Pots & pans |
| F | 241 mm | Deep storage, tall items |
Blum Inner Drawer Width Calculation¶
Inner drawer width = Internal cabinet width − 49 mm (tolerance +0.0 / −1.5 mm)
Blum Nominal Lengths (Depth)¶
Available runner lengths: 270, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650 mm.
Hettich ArciTech Side Heights¶
Range from 78 mm to 282 mm, with runner nominal lengths from 270 to 650 mm. Internal width depends on cabinet side panel thickness:
| Cabinet Side Thickness | Width Deduction (per side) |
|---|---|
| 16 mm | 15 mm |
| 18 mm | 13 mm |
| 19 mm | 12 mm |
3. IKEA Kitchen Drawers (METOD / MAXIMERA System)¶
IKEA is the dominant kitchen supplier in Europe. Their METOD system with MAXIMERA drawers represents the single largest installed base.
METOD Cabinet Internal Widths¶
| External Width | Internal Width |
|---|---|
| 200 mm | 164 mm |
| 300 mm | 264 mm |
| 400 mm | 364 mm |
| 600 mm | 564 mm |
| 800 mm | 764 mm |
Width deduction: 36 mm (18 mm per carcass side wall).
METOD Cabinet Internal Depths¶
| External Depth | Internal Depth |
|---|---|
| 370 mm | 350 mm |
| 600 mm | 580 mm |
MAXIMERA Drawer Inner Dimensions¶
MAXIMERA drawers have slanted/conical sides — width varies by measurement height.
Inner Width at Bottom vs. at 55 mm Height¶
| Drawer (W × D) | Width at Bottom | Width at 55 mm | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 × 60 cm | 280 mm | 320 mm | 504 mm |
| 60 × 60 cm | 480 mm | 520 mm | 504 mm |
| 80 × 60 cm | 680 mm | 720 mm | 504 mm |
The 55 mm measurement height is the reference for cutlery inserts and organizers.
Drawer Height Variants¶
| Variant | Approximate Inner Height | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Low | ~100 mm (3⅞″) | Cutlery, utensils, flatware |
| Medium | ~165 mm (6½″) | Kitchen tools, containers, baking supplies |
| High | ~213 mm (8⅜″) | Pots, pans, tall items |
IKEA Cutlery Insert Standard Sizes¶
IKEA sells cutlery inserts matching their cabinet widths. Third-party inserts for MAXIMERA drawers are widely available in these widths (measured at 55 mm height):
| Cabinet Width | Insert Width |
|---|---|
| 400 mm | ~320 mm |
| 600 mm | ~520 mm |
| 800 mm | ~720 mm |
4. Other European Kitchen Manufacturers¶
Nobilia (Germany — Market Leader)¶
- Carcass depth: 561 mm
- Carcass height: 720 mm
- Usable internal depth: 522 mm
- Cabinet widths: 200, 300, 400, 450, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1200 mm
- Plinth height options: 70, 100, 150, 200 mm
- Drawer system (nBOX): Frame width 10.7 mm, hidden guide underneath
General European Kitchen Drawer Conventions¶
| Drawer Type | Typical Inner Height | Typical Inner Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Cutlery / utensil drawer | 55–100 mm | 450–520 mm |
| General kitchen drawer | 100–170 mm | 450–520 mm |
| Pots & pans drawer | 170–250 mm | 450–520 mm |
| Deep storage pull-out | 250–350 mm | 450–520 mm |
5. IKEA Desk Drawers (ALEX Series)¶
The IKEA ALEX is the most common European desk drawer unit.
ALEX Drawer Internal Dimensions¶
| Drawer | Inner Width | Inner Depth | Inner Height | Sidewall Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (top drawers) | 292 mm | 524 mm | 88 mm | 56 mm |
| Medium (bottom drawers) | 292 mm | 524 mm | 133 mm | 117 mm |
Overall unit exterior: 360 × 580 × 700 mm (W × D × H).
6. IKEA Bathroom Drawers (GODMORGON Series)¶
IKEA GODMORGON is the most common European bathroom vanity line.
GODMORGON Cabinet External Dimensions¶
| Model | Width | Depth | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-drawer (small) | 600 mm | 489 mm | 580 mm |
| 2-drawer (large) | 800 mm | 489 mm | 580 mm |
| 4-drawer | 1200 mm | 489 mm | 580 mm |
Exact inner drawer dimensions are not published by IKEA for GODMORGON. Based on typical construction (18 mm side walls, 16 mm bottom, drawer hardware clearance):
| Estimated Inner | Small (600) | Large (800) |
|---|---|---|
| Width | ~520 mm | ~720 mm |
| Depth | ~400 mm | ~400 mm |
| Height per drawer | ~150–180 mm | ~150–180 mm |
7. General Bathroom Drawer Dimensions (European Market)¶
European bathroom furniture does not follow a single standard. Common carcass depths are narrower than kitchens due to bathroom space constraints.
| Parameter | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Cabinet depth | 350–500 mm |
| Drawer inner depth | 300–430 mm |
| Drawer inner height | 100–200 mm |
| Cabinet widths | 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200 mm |
| Side wall material | 16–18 mm moisture-resistant melamine |
8. Summary of Common Inner Widths Across Categories¶
This table shows the most frequently encountered inner widths across European drawers:
| Cabinet Width | Kitchen Inner Width | Desk Inner Width | Bathroom Inner Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 mm | 250–264 mm | — | — |
| 400 mm | 280–320 mm | 292 mm (ALEX) | ~320 mm |
| 600 mm | 480–520 mm | — | ~520 mm |
| 800 mm | 680–720 mm | — | ~720 mm |
| 1000 mm | 880–920 mm | — | — |
| 1200 mm | — | — | ~1120 mm |
Key Takeaway: The Universal Deduction Formula¶
Across all European drawer types, the pattern is consistent:
Inner width ≈ Cabinet external width − (2 × side wall) − hardware clearance
Typical values: - Side wall thickness: 16–19 mm per side - Hardware clearance (per side): 12–15 mm (Blum/Hettich runners) - Total width deduction: 56–68 mm from external cabinet width - Depth deduction: 50–80 mm from external carcass depth
9. Implications for 3D-Printable Drawer Organizers¶
When designing universal drawer inserts or organizers, the following size grid covers the vast majority of European drawers:
Recommended Target Widths (at 55 mm height for kitchen)¶
| Target Market | Width Range | Suggested Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA 40 cm kitchen | 280–320 mm | 300 mm |
| IKEA 60 cm kitchen | 480–520 mm | 500 mm |
| IKEA 80 cm kitchen | 680–720 mm | 700 mm |
| IKEA ALEX desk | 292 mm | 280 mm |
| Bathroom 60 cm | ~520 mm | 500 mm |
| Bathroom 80 cm | ~720 mm | 700 mm |
Recommended Target Depths¶
| Context | Depth Range | Suggested Size |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen (600 mm carcass) | 500–520 mm | 500 mm |
| Kitchen (370 mm carcass) | 330–350 mm | 330 mm |
| Desk (ALEX) | 520 mm | 500 mm |
| Bathroom | 300–430 mm | 400 mm |
Recommended Height Considerations¶
| Drawer Type | Max Insert Height |
|---|---|
| Kitchen cutlery (low) | 50–54 mm |
| Kitchen general (medium) | 100–130 mm |
| Kitchen pots/pans (high) | 170–200 mm |
| Desk small | 55 mm |
| Desk medium | 115 mm |
| Bathroom | 130–170 mm |
10. Sources¶
- IKEA METOD frame internal dimensions — ikea.com/se
- IKEA MAXIMERA measurement guide — itsdesign.se
- IKEA ALEX drawer dimensions — theworkspacehero.com
- DIN EN 1116:2018 — en-standard.eu
- Blum TANDEMBOX / LEGRABOX catalogue — blum.com
- Hettich ArciTech specification — hettich.com
- Nobilia type overview 2025 — nobilia.de
- Hafele drawer specifications — hafele.com