Pull-Out Drawer Measurement and Installation Guide

Use this page to choose the right mounting style, measure your cabinet opening correctly, select the correct drawer size, and install for smooth operation. These steps reduce ordering mistakes, prevent hinge interference, and improve drawer alignment.

Quick Start

Identify your cabinet type: face frame or frameless.
Check if hinges or doors protrude into the cabinet opening.
Choose side mount or bottom mount based on clearance.
Measure clear opening width and clear opening depth.
If needed, size and add drawer slide spacers.
Install slides level and parallel, then test fit and adjust.

Guide 1: Cabinet Type and Mount Selection

Step 1. Face Frame vs Frameless

Face frame cabinets have a front frame around the opening. The face frame opening is often the narrowest point.
Frameless cabinets (full access/Euro) typically use the cabinet box opening as the reference.

Step 2. Check for hinge or door protrusion

Open the door and look inside the cabinet. If hinges, door hardware, or the door edge protrude into the opening, your usable width may be reduced.

Step 3. Choose side mount or bottom mount

Bottom mount (floor mounting)

Often the simplest installation
Good option when hinges or doors intrude into the opening
Common for pantry pull-outs and base cabinet pull-outs

Side mount (side mounting slides)

Maximizes usable drawer space
Works well when you can measure accurately and maintain clearance
May require spacers if hinges intrude

Rule of thumb

If hinges or doors reduce the opening and you want the easiest fit, choose bottom mount.
If your opening is clear and you want maximum width, choose side mount.

Guide 2: Side Mount Measurement Guide

Step 1. Find the narrowest width

Measure the clear opening width at the narrowest point:

If hinges intrude, measure at the hinge area
If no intrusion, measure inside the cabinet opening

Step 2. Measure clear opening depth

Measure from the inside front of the cabinet to the back wall. Confirm there are no obstructions like plumbing, outlet boxes, or shelves that reduce usable depth.

Step 3. Select a standard width

Choose the closest standard width that fits within your measured clear opening. For side-mount pull-outs, accurate width measurement matters because slides require consistent clearance on both sides.

When side mount needs spacers

If hinges or door hardware protrude into the opening, you may need drawer slide spacers to move the slides inward and clear the obstruction.

Guide 3: Face Frame Side Mount Measurement Guide

Step 1. Measure the face frame opening

Measure the face frame opening width across the front opening. This is often the limiting width, even if the cabinet interior is wider.

Step 2. Check hinge intrusion

If hinges or doors protrude into the opening, measure at the narrowest point near the hinge side.

Step 3. Measure depth

Measure the clear opening depth and confirm your slide length will fit.

Step 4. Select width and plan spacer clearance

For face frame cabinets, you may need spacers or rear brackets depending on how your slides mount and where the face frame sits relative to the cabinet interior.

Guide 4: Bottom Mount Measurement Guide

Bottom mount systems typically fasten to the cabinet floor and can be a strong choice when door hinges reduce side clearance.

Step 1. Measure clear opening width

Measure the usable width across the opening. In face frame cabinets, use the face frame opening as your primary reference.

Step 2. Measure clear opening depth

Measure usable depth and confirm no obstructions.

Step 3. Choose a size slightly under the clear opening

Select a drawer width that is smaller than your measured clear opening so the unit can install smoothly without rubbing or binding.

Guide 5: Drawer Slide Spacer Measurement Guide

Use spacers when hinges or doors protrude into the cabinet opening and you need to shift side-mount slides inward.

Step 1. Decide if spacers are needed

If nothing intrudes into the opening: spacers may not be needed
If hinges or door hardware intrude: spacers are often needed

Step 2. Measure protrusion

Measure how far the hinge or door protrudes into the cabinet opening. This is your protrusion measurement.

Step 3. Select spacer thickness

Choose a spacer thickness that is larger than the protrusion measurement to ensure clearance. If your hinges protrude differently at the top and bottom, plan for the worst-case measurement.

Step 4. Update your usable width

If spacers are added, subtract the spacer total from your cabinet opening width to estimate your usable drawer width.

Simple sizing formula

Cabinet opening width
minus total spacer width
equals target overall drawer width

Installation Instructions

Install Side-Mount Slides (Quick Steps)

Mark slide height on both cabinet sides using a level.
Mount the cabinet slide members level and parallel.
Use spacers where needed to clear hinges and keep both sides symmetrical.
Attach the drawer slide members to the drawer (if not pre-installed).
Insert the drawer and test for smooth travel.
Adjust, then tighten all fasteners.

Install Bottom-Mount Systems (Quick Steps)

Mark the drawer position on the cabinet floor and confirm the door clears.
Fasten the base or runners to the cabinet floor per the hardware layout.
Set the pull-out in place, confirm it is square and centered.
Test full extension and close.
Tighten fasteners and re-test.

Common Fit Problems and Fixes

Drawer rubs or binds

Slides are not parallel, or the opening width was measured at the wrong point. Re-check the narrowest point and slide alignment.

Drawer won’t fully close

Depth is limited by hinges, door, face frame setback, or rear obstruction. Re-check usable depth and slide length.

Drawer is uneven or wobbles

Slides are not level or not mounted at the same height. Re-level, tighten, and confirm both sides match.

Measurement Checklist

Cabinet type: face frame or frameless
Hinge/door protrusion present: yes or no
Clear opening width (narrowest point)
Clear opening depth (usable)
Obstructions: hinges, stiles, plumbing, shelves
Mount type chosen: side mount or bottom mount
Spacer thickness (if needed)