Standard Closet Depth and Measurements
By Stefan Gheorghe
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Stefan Gheorghe is the founder and CEO of Homedit.com. In 2008, he launched the platform out of his passion for interior design and home decoration.
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The standard closet depth for a reach-in (standard) closet is 24 inches (61 cm). This allows enough space for adult hangers, which are typically about 20 inches wide, plus clearance for clothing and smooth door operation.
| Closet Type / Measurement | Standard Measurement |
|---|---|
| Reach-in closet depth | 24 inches (61 cm) |
| Minimum reach-in closet depth | 22 inches (56 cm) only for shallow closets like linen closets |
| Reach-in closet width | 3 ft (91 cm) minimum; typical 6 ft (183 cm); larger closets 8 ft+ |
| Reach-in closet height | 84 inches (213 cm) standard (7 ft); varies depending on ceiling height |
| Walk-in closet depth | Minimum 4 ft (122 cm) to allow hanging space + walkway |
| Walk-in closet width | 5–8 ft (152–244 cm) typical; larger custom designs go beyond 8 ft |
| Hanger width (adult) | ~20 inches (51 cm) |
A 24-inch closet depth provides enough space for clothes to hang freely without touching the back wall or obstructing doors. Shallower depths are not suitable for standard adult hangers.
For walk-in closets, a minimum depth of 4 feet is required to accommodate hanging clothes and allow comfortable walking space.
Other Important Closet Measurements
- Door clearance: Allow at least 24 inches of floor space in front of the closet for smooth door operation.
- Rod height: 66–72 inches from the floor for a single rod; 40–42 inches for double rod setups.
- Shelf depth: 12–14 inches above the hanging rod is standard.
- Shoe storage: 12–14 inches depth and 6–8 inches height per pair.