Quick answer
A standard wardrobe is 58 to 60 cm (23 to 24 in) deep, enough for clothes to hang on a rail without touching the back. Width runs from 50 cm (20 in) for a single to 180 cm (71 in) for a triple, and height is usually 180 to 220 cm (71 to 87 in). Hinged doors need clear floor space in front equal to the door width; sliding doors need none.
Depth is the dimension that catches people out. A wardrobe only needs to be 58–60 cm (23–24 in) deep, but the door in front of it can need just as much clear floor again to open and use. In a bedroom that is already tight around the bed, that swing space is often what decides whether a wardrobe works at all. Below are the standard sizes and the clearance to plan with them.
All measurements are approximate. Actual dimensions vary by manufacturer; always verify with the product spec before buying. These figures are intended for room planning, not purchasing decisions.
Wardrobe sizes by type
| Type | Metric | Imperial | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single wardrobe | W: 50–60 cm · D: 58–60 cm · H: 180–220 cm | W: 20–24 in · D: 23–24 in · H: 71–87 in | |
| Double wardrobe | W: 90–120 cm · D: 58–60 cm · H: 180–220 cm | W: 35–47 in · D: 23–24 in · H: 71–87 in | |
| Triple wardrobe | W: 135–180 cm · D: 58–60 cm · H: 180–220 cm | W: 53–71 in · D: 23–24 in · H: 71–87 in | |
| Sliding-door wardrobe | D: 60–65 cm · no swing clearance | D: 24–26 in | Door track adds a little depth |
| Built-in / fitted | D: 55–60 cm · H: to ceiling | D: 22–24 in | Often run full height for storage |
| Chest of drawers | W: 60–100 cm · D: 40–50 cm · H: 70–110 cm | W: 24–39 in · D: 16–20 in · H: 28–43 in | Add ~50 cm (20 in) drawer clearance |
Why 58 to 60 cm is the standard depth
A coat hanger is about 45 cm (18 in) wide, and hung on a rail it sits roughly 50–55 cm (20–22 in) front to back once shoulders and bulkier items are allowed for. A wardrobe needs around 55 cm (22 in) of clear internal depth for clothes to hang square, which lands the outer depth at 58–60 cm (23–24 in) after the back panel and doors. Go shallower than that and you need a pull-out rail that faces clothes forwards, which takes more width instead.
Door clearance in front
| Door type | Clearance needed in front |
|---|---|
| Hinged door | Equal to the door width, 50–60 cm (20–24 in) |
| Sliding door | None for the door; leave standing room to reach in |
| Bi-fold door | About half the door width, 25–30 cm (10–12 in) |
| Drawers below | Drawer depth plus standing room, ~50 cm (20 in) |
A double wardrobe with two 50 cm (20 in) hinged doors needs 50 cm (20 in) of clear floor in front, not only to open the doors but to stand and reach inside. Where that space overlaps the bed or the room door, sliding or bi-fold doors are the fix.
Planning with real dimensions
A wardrobe often loses out to the door swing or the bed, so it is worth testing before buying. Upload your floor plan image to Layoutr, set the scale by clicking two points a known distance apart, and place the wardrobe at its true width and depth. Add the door-swing clearance in front and you will see whether it blocks the bed, the room door, or the walkway.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard depth of a wardrobe?
Standard wardrobe depth is 58–60 cm (23–24 in). This is enough for clothes to hang on a rail front-to-back without the hangers touching the back panel, which needs about 55 cm (22 in) of clear internal depth. Sliding-door wardrobes are usually a touch deeper at 60–65 cm (24–26 in) to make room for the door track.
Why do wardrobes need a specific depth?
A coat hanger sits about 50–55 cm (20–22 in) wide across the shoulders when hung on a rail. A wardrobe shallower than about 58 cm (23 in) forces clothes to hang at an angle or face forwards on a pull-out rail. That 58–60 cm (23–24 in) depth is the smallest that lets clothes hang normally.
How much space do you need in front of a wardrobe?
Hinged doors need clear floor space in front equal to the door width, typically 50–60 cm (20–24 in), both to open the door and to stand and reach inside. Sliding and pocket doors need no swing space, which is why they suit tight rooms and the foot of a bed.
How tall is a standard wardrobe?
Standard wardrobe height is 180–220 cm (71–87 in). Taller units up to 240 cm (94 in) reach toward a standard ceiling and add a top shelf or a second rail. Built-in and fitted wardrobes are usually run to the ceiling to use the full height.
Will a wardrobe fit in my room?
In a tool like Layoutr, set the real-world scale from your floor plan image, then place the wardrobe at its true width and depth, plus the door-swing clearance in front. You will see whether it fits without blocking the bed, the door, or the walkway before you buy it.
Check a wardrobe against your actual room
Upload your floor plan, set the scale in two clicks, and place a wardrobe with its door clearance at true real-world dimensions. Free to use, no account required.
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