Standard size divided drawers
Standard size divided drawers: pick a cabinet width, a height and a layout
A divided drawer does not have to start with fraction math. If your cabinet is a standard width and runs 21 in Blum style undermount slides, our standard divided drawer box comes in eight sizes for 15 to 36 in frameless cabinets, four heights and seven built in divider layouts. This page is for the homeowner or cabinet shop who wants a flatware, utensil or junk drawer in a standard size, and it says plainly when the custom box is the better order.
Quick answer. Our standard divided drawer box comes in eight widths for cabinet openings of 13 1/2, 16 1/2, 19 1/2, 22 1/2, 25 1/2, 28 1/2, 31 1/2 and 34 1/2 in (15 to 36 in frameless cabinets), four heights of 3 1/4, 4 1/4, 5 1/4 and 6 1/4 in, and seven fixed divider layouts from two long bays to twelve compartments. Every box is 21 in deep and 3/8 in narrower than the opening for Blum style undermount slides, dovetailed in Baltic Birch or Hard Maple (Select Grade) with 1/4 in Baltic Birch dividers. A 24 in cabinet takes the 22 1/2 in opening size with the four bay flatware layout, which gives four bays 5 1/32 in wide and 19 3/4 in long.
Ready to build it? The standard divided drawer configurator prices every choice live and draws your box in 3D before you order.
What is a standard size divided drawer?
A standard size divided drawer is our dovetailed drawer box, built in a fixed set of sizes for common cabinets, with wood dividers set into the box in our shop. You pick three things, the cabinet opening, the box height and a divider layout, and we build the matching box: 3/8 in narrower than the opening, 21 in deep, with 5/8 in sides, interlocking dovetails on all four corners and a 1/4 in bottom in a groove. The dividers are 1/4 in Baltic Birch plywood, fixed in 1/4 in deep dados and half lapped where they cross, with their tops 1/8 in below the top of the box.
- Same box as the custom product. It is the divider drawer we build to any size, limited to eight widths so you can order it in three picks.
- Ready for your slides. Notched and drilled for Blum TANDEM or MOVENTO 21 in runners, or any undermount slide you name.
- Built in USA. Built to order in our Las Vegas shop and shipped assembled, with a lifetime warranty on the wood box that covers the dividers.
Which size fits my cabinet?
Pick the size whose opening matches the clear width inside your cabinet, between the sides or inside the face frame. The cabinet width in the table is a frameless cabinet with 3/4 in sides, so a 24 in cabinet has a 22 1/2 in opening; measure yours to be sure. The box is the opening minus 3/8 in, the rule for Blum style undermount runners with 5/8 in sides, and the inside width is the box minus two 5/8 in sides. That is 1/32 in narrower than Blum’s 42 mm inside width rule (13/32 in with 5/8 in sides), inside Blum’s +0 / −1.5 mm inside width tolerance, so the runner seats the same.
| Cabinet opening | Frameless cabinet | Box width | Inside width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 1/2 in | 15 in | 13 1/8 in | 11 7/8 in |
| 16 1/2 in | 18 in | 16 1/8 in | 14 7/8 in |
| 19 1/2 in | 21 in | 19 1/8 in | 17 7/8 in |
| 22 1/2 in | 24 in | 22 1/8 in | 20 7/8 in |
| 25 1/2 in | 27 in | 25 1/8 in | 23 7/8 in |
| 28 1/2 in | 30 in | 28 1/8 in | 26 7/8 in |
| 31 1/2 in | 33 in | 31 1/8 in | 29 7/8 in |
| 34 1/2 in | 36 in | 34 1/8 in | 32 7/8 in |
Measure the opening at the top, middle and bottom and use the smallest number, and check that the cabinet has at least 21 15/16 in of inside depth for a 21 in slide. If your opening is not one of these eight, go to the custom box below rather than sizing down; undermount runners need the box width to match the opening. Our measuring guide covers face frame and frameless cabinets.
How tall should the box be?
Measure the height of the drawer opening, subtract 3/4 in, and pick the closest standard height at or below that number; the 3/4 in is the room an undermount runner needs above and below the box. A 5 in opening takes the 4 1/4 in box. A 4 1/2 in opening takes 3 1/4 in, because 3 3/4 in falls between sizes and you round down. An opening of 8 in or more takes 6 1/4 in, or a custom box up to 12 3/4 in.
Shallow top drawers usually take 3 1/4 or 4 1/4 in: flatware lies flat in 3 1/4 in, and cooking utensils with a ladle bowl on its side want 4 1/4 in. Choose 6 1/4 in for spice jars standing up, since most jars are 4 to 4 3/4 in tall and want about 1 1/2 in of room above them. The divider tops sit 1/8 in below the box top in every height.
The seven divider layouts and what each suits
All seven layouts use equally spaced 1/4 in Baltic Birch dividers. Bays run front to back, rows run side to side, and the names below are exactly what the configurator prints. In a 21 in deep box, two rows are each 9 3/4 in deep and three rows are each about 6 13/32 in deep.
| Layout, as the configurator prints it | Rows x bays | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Two long bays, front to back (1 divider) | 1 x 2 | Foil and wrap boxes lengthwise, long tools, knives on one side and utensils on the other |
| Three bays, front to back (2 dividers) | 1 x 3 | Cooking utensils, or flatware in a 15 in cabinet |
| Four bays, front to back, for flatware (3 dividers) | 1 x 4 | Forks, knives, spoons and teaspoons |
| Six compartments, 2 rows of 3 (3 dividers) | 2 x 3 | Junk drawer, utensils up front with gadgets behind |
| Eight compartments, 2 rows of 4 (4 dividers) | 2 x 4 | Flatware up front, serving pieces behind |
| Nine compartments, 3 rows of 3 (4 dividers) | 3 x 3 | Spice jars, office supplies, a bathroom vanity |
| Twelve compartments, 3 rows of 4 (5 dividers) | 3 x 4 | Spices in a wide drawer, small parts, craft supplies |
The divider layout guide explains the lateral and axial code behind these names, kitchen drawer divider sizes lists the bay each item needs, and divided drawers by room goes beyond the kitchen.
Which layout for which cabinet width?
Match the layout to the clear bay width it leaves. Flatware wants bays 3 to 3 1/2 in wide, so a 15 in cabinet takes two or three bays, an 18 or 21 in cabinet takes the four bay flatware layout, a 24 in cabinet is the flatware drawer with room to spare, and 30 to 36 in cabinets suit eight to twelve compartments. The eight and twelve compartment layouts use the four bay widths below; six and nine use the three bay widths.
| Cabinet (opening) | Two long bays | Three bays | Four bays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 in (13 1/2 in) | 5 13/16 in | about 3 25/32 in | 2 25/32 in, tight for flatware |
| 18 in (16 1/2 in) | 7 5/16 in | about 4 25/32 in | 3 17/32 in |
| 21 in (19 1/2 in) | 8 13/16 in | about 5 25/32 in | 4 9/32 in |
| 24 in (22 1/2 in) | 10 5/16 in | about 6 25/32 in | 5 1/32 in |
| 27 in (25 1/2 in) | 11 13/16 in | about 7 25/32 in | 5 25/32 in |
| 30 in (28 1/2 in) | 13 5/16 in | about 8 25/32 in | 6 17/32 in |
| 33 in (31 1/2 in) | 14 13/16 in | about 9 25/32 in | 7 9/32 in |
| 36 in (34 1/2 in) | 16 5/16 in | about 10 25/32 in | 8 1/32 in |
Clear widths between dividers, with our 5/8 in sides and 1/4 in dividers. The configurator’s live 3D preview draws the layout at your exact size and states the number of compartments and the size of each in its spec line, so you can check a bay against your largest item before you order.
Standard or custom: which divided drawer should I order?
Order the standard box when your opening is one of the eight sizes, you run 21 in undermount slides, and one of the seven fixed layouts does the job. Order the custom divided drawer box for everything else: fractions, other depths, side mount slides, removable or movable dividers, thicker dividers, custom spacing or more than twelve compartments. It costs the same as the standard box for the same build, so you lose nothing by switching; the divided drawer cost page prints both.
| You need | Standard divided drawer | Custom divided drawer |
|---|---|---|
| WIDTH | Eight sizes, 13 1/8 to 34 1/8 in | Any width 6 to 35 31/32 in, cut to the 1/32 inch |
| DEPTH AND HEIGHT | 21 in deep; 3 1/4 to 6 1/4 in tall | 9 to 24 31/32 in deep, or your runner’s length list to 30 in; 2 to 12 3/4 in tall |
| SLIDES | Undermount, box = opening minus 3/8 in | Undermount, or side mount with the box = opening minus 1 in |
| LAYOUT | Seven layouts, up to 12 compartments, equal spacing | 0 to 6 dividers each way, up to 49 compartments, equal or custom spacing |
| DIVIDERS | 1/4 in, fixed in dados, tops 1/8 in below the box | 1/4 or 1/2 in; fixed, removable or multi groove; standard or custom height |
| SIDES, BOTTOM, FRONT | 5/8 in sides, 1/4 in bottom, plain front | 1/2, 5/8 or 3/4 in sides, 1/2 in or melamine bottoms, scoop fronts |
Fixed vs removable drawer dividers explains the three divider styles, and built in dividers vs drawer inserts compares both of our boxes to a drop in tray.
Finish the install
Slides and clips for a standard divided drawer
Every standard divided drawer is notched and drilled at the back for 21 in undermount slides. Our standard prep is for Blum TANDEM plus BLUMOTION 563H, which Blum rates at 100 lb per pair, with Blum MOVENTO 763, rated 125 lb by Blum, as the second choice; both are in our undermount slides shop, and we make no load claim for the box itself. Choose “Install the matching Blum locking clips” and we fit Blum T51.1901 clips for TANDEM or T51.7601 clips for MOVENTO, the same clips sold in our clips and brackets shop; pick “No clips” to reuse yours. Running another undermount runner? Name it and we match the notch and drilling to it.
Slides are sold separately. Keep the runners already in the cabinet if they are 21 in undermount, or buy a new pair with the box so everything arrives together. The undermount drawer slide guide covers the 21 15/16 in cabinet depth a 21 in runner needs and how the clips engage.
How to order a standard divided drawer in four steps
1. Measure the opening
Width between the cabinet sides or inside the face frame, at the top, middle and bottom; the opening height; and the inside depth, at least 21 15/16 in.
2. Pick the size and height
Under “Cabinet opening”, choose the size that matches your width. Under “Box height”, pick the height from the rule above.
3. Pick the layout
Under “Divider layout”, choose one of the seven. The 3D preview redraws with every divider in place and the spec line states the compartment count and size.
4. Wood, slides and clips, then add to cart
Under “Select Your Wood Type”, keep “Baltic Birch (Our Standard)” or choose “(Select) Hard Maple”, then “Unfinished” or “Finished” under “Wood Finish”. Under “Slides”, pick your runner, and under “Locking clips”, “No clips” or “Install the matching Blum locking clips”. On a phone, the bar at the bottom shows the live price as you go.
What to pick in the configurator for a 24 in flatware drawer
Here is the whole order for the drawer in the drawing above, exactly as the configurator prints each choice. Add to cart stays held while the live preview shows a red warning, so the box that reaches your cart is one we can build.
| Field | Choice |
|---|---|
| Cabinet opening | 22 1/2″ opening (24″ cabinet), box 22 1/8″ wide |
| Box height | 4 1/4″ tall, for a 5 in opening |
| Divider layout | Four bays, front to back, for flatware (3 dividers) |
| Select Your Wood Type | Baltic Birch (Our Standard) |
| Slides | Blum TANDEM, 21″ (our standard), or Blum MOVENTO, 21″, or Other undermount slide (name it below) with the model typed under Your slide brand and model |
| Locking clips | Install the matching Blum locking clips |
Have your numbers? Build your standard divided drawer and watch the price and the 3D drawing update with each pick; it is the same dovetailed box we sell on Amazon. Not sure your cabinet fits a standard size? Send us a photo and your measurements and we tell you which box to order.
Keep reading
Everything about standard size divided drawers
Every guide we have written on this drawer, from measuring to installing. Each one ends at the configurator, which prices every choice as you pick it and draws your box in 3D.
- Drawer divider layouts: lateral, axial and the L/A code
- Fixed vs removable drawer dividers: how each one is built
- Kitchen drawer divider sizes: compartments that fit what you store
- How to measure for a divided drawer: step by step
- How much does a custom divided drawer cost?
- Knife drawer with built in dividers: one bay per blade, built into the box
- Spice drawer dividers: built in rows sized to your jars, flat or standing
- Dividers for deep kitchen drawers: pots, pans, lids and plates
- Divided drawer ideas by room: kitchen, bath, office, shop and closet
- Built in drawer dividers vs insert trays: which one should you buy?
- Drawer divider layout planner: a worksheet for planning your compartments
- Step by step configurator guide
- Custom divided drawers, any size
Standard size divided drawer questions
What sizes do standard divided drawers come in?
Eight widths, for cabinet openings of 13 1/2, 16 1/2, 19 1/2, 22 1/2, 25 1/2, 28 1/2, 31 1/2 and 34 1/2 in, which are 15 to 36 in frameless cabinets with 3/4 in sides. The box is 3/8 in narrower than the opening and 21 in deep. Heights are 3 1/4, 4 1/4, 5 1/4 and 6 1/4 in.
What if my cabinet opening is between the standard sizes?
Order the custom divided drawer box instead. It takes any width from 6 to 35 31/32 in, in 1/32 in steps, with the same seven layouts and more, and it costs the same as the standard box for the same build. Do not size down to the next standard width; undermount slides need the box width to match the opening.
Is the standard divided drawer cheaper than a custom one?
No, it is the same price for the same build. The standard page is simply faster: three picks instead of a dozen, with the 21 in depth and the undermount notching already included. Our divided drawer cost page prints every number for both products.
Can I get removable or movable dividers in the standard sizes?
Not on the standard product; its dividers are fixed in dados. For removable dividers that lift straight out, or multi groove dividers that move between grooves on 1, 2 or 3 in centers, build the same size on the custom divided drawer box.
Which slides fit the standard divided drawer?
21 in undermount slides. We notch and drill the back for Blum TANDEM plus BLUMOTION 563H, Blum MOVENTO 763, or any other undermount slide you name, and we install the matching Blum locking clips on request. Side mount slides need a box 1 in narrower than the opening, which is a custom order.
How deep is the standard divided drawer?
21 in, for 21 in slides, with 19 3/4 in of clear length inside. Your cabinet needs at least 21 15/16 in of inside depth. For a shallower or deeper box, the custom divided drawer box runs 9 to 24 31/32 in deep, or the length list of your undermount runner up to 30 in.
Can I return a standard divided drawer?
No. Every box is built to order, so it is not returnable and we do not offer a fit guarantee; measure the opening at the top, middle and bottom before you order. The wood box carries a lifetime warranty that covers the dividers and hardware carries 1 year; if we built it wrong or it is defective, send photos and we remake it. Shipping damage reported within 7 days with photos is replaced or refunded.
Related reading
- How much does a custom divided drawer cost? Every price for both divided drawer products, with worked totals.
- Divider drawers: the custom product, any size, fixed, removable or movable dividers.
- Drawer divider layouts: lateral vs axial, the L/A code and compartment math.
- Knife drawer with built in dividers: one bay per blade for 15, 18 and 21 in cabinets.
- Divider layout planner: measure, list what goes in, and work out the bays.
Three picks and the drawer is on its way
Choose your cabinet opening, a height and a layout, and we build a dovetailed divided drawer to order in our Las Vegas shop, notched for your undermount slides, with free retail shipping and a lifetime warranty on the wood box. Need a size or layout the standard box does not offer? Build it on the custom divided drawer box at the same price for the same build.