Standard Closet Depth
A standard reach-in closet is 24 in (61 cm) deep, measured from the back wall to the inside of the door. A hanger is 17–19 in (43–48 cm) wide, so 24 in leaves room for sleeves and bulky clothes without them rubbing the door. Built-in wardrobes use the same number: 600 mm deep. 24 in is also the average closet depth in new homes.
Closet depths
| Closet | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum for hanging clothes | 22 in (56 cm) | Tight; coats touch the door |
| Standard reach-in | 24 in (61 cm) | The usual size |
| Comfortable reach-in | 26–30 in (66–76 cm) | Room for coats and a shoe rack |
| Coat closet | 24–26 in (61–66 cm) | Winter coats are bulkier |
| Linen closet | 16–24 in (41–61 cm) | Shelves only, 12–16 in deep |
| Shelving only | 12–16 in (30–41 cm) | Folded clothes, shoes, boxes |
| Wardrobe (furniture) | 600 mm (24 in) | 560 mm inside |
| Wardrobe with sliding doors | 650–700 mm | Doors and track take 50–100 mm |
Walk-in closets
A walk-in closet needs 24 in (61 cm) of depth for every wall of hanging clothes, plus a walkway of at least 36 in (91 cm) between them.
| Layout | Minimum width | Comfortable width |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes on one side | 5 ft (152 cm) | 6 ft (183 cm) |
| Clothes on both sides | 7 ft (213 cm) | 8 ft (244 cm) |
| U-shape (three walls) | 7 × 7 ft (213 × 213 cm) | 8 × 8 ft or more |
Shelving or drawers along a wall need only 12–16 in instead of 24, which is how a narrow room can still become a walk-in.
Layouts for one side, both sides and U-shaped walk-ins are in walk-in closet dimensions.
Rod and shelf heights
| Hanging | Rod height from the floor | Hanging length needed |
|---|---|---|
| Single rod | 66 in (168 cm) | 60 in for dresses and coats |
| Double hang, top rod | 80–84 in (203–213 cm) | 40 in for shirts and jackets |
| Double hang, bottom rod | 40–42 in (102–107 cm) | 40 in for shirts, folded trousers |
| Long dresses | 70–72 in (178–183 cm) | 66 in or more |
Put the rod 12 in (30 cm) from the back wall, in the middle of a 24 in closet, and a shelf 2–3 in (5–8 cm) above it. A rod longer than about 48 in (120 cm) needs a support in the middle, or it bends under the clothes.
Wardrobe dimensions
A freestanding or built-in wardrobe is a tall cabinet built around the same hanging depth:
| Dimension | Metric | Inches |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (outside) | 580–650 mm | 23–25 1/2 in |
| Height | 2000–2400 mm | 79–94 in |
| Width per hinged door | 400–600 mm | 16–24 in |
| Section width for hanging | 800–1000 mm | 31–39 in |
| Shelf spacing | 300–400 mm | 12–16 in |
Hinged doors need floor space to open, about their own width in front of the wardrobe. Sliding doors save that space but add 50–100 mm to the depth and only open half the wardrobe at a time.
Building a wardrobe to your space
Because a built-in wardrobe fills an alcove or a wall, it rarely matches a catalogue size. Our wardrobe plan recalculates every panel, shelf and door when you type the width, height and depth of your space:
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard depth of a closet?
24 in (61 cm) from the back wall to the inside of the door. It fits a hanger (17–19 in wide) with room for sleeves.
What is the minimum closet depth for hanging clothes?
22 in (56 cm). Below that, hangers have to sit at an angle, or you need a pull-out rod that hangs clothes front to back.
How deep is a walk-in closet?
At least 5 ft (152 cm) wide for clothes on one side (24 in of hanging plus a 36 in walkway) and 7 ft (213 cm) for clothes on both sides.
How deep is a wardrobe?
About 600 mm (24 in) outside, 560 mm inside. Wardrobes with sliding doors need 650–700 mm, because the doors and their track take 50–100 mm.
How high should a closet rod be?
66 in (168 cm) for a single rod. For double hanging, set the top rod at about 80 in (203 cm) and the lower one at 40 in (102 cm).