What Are Standard Closet Dimensions?

Depth

• Standard reach-in closets have a depth of 24 inches if they are used for basic clothing like suits, shirts, dresses and pants. You need at least 2 feet of depth to handle your hangers. For reach-in closets that you use for coats and jackets, allow 30 inches. The extra depth accommodates the added thickness and bulk of these items.

Width

• A standard closet width doesn't exist; you can have a closet extend the entire length of a room and have multiple doors if you wish. In general, plan to have a minimum of 48 inches of rod length for each person who uses the closet. Adult coats each need 4 to 7 inches of width. Give yourself 3 inches for every garment if you're a guy. Women may not need quite so much width since they are generally smaller than men and may wear thinner or tighter clothing. Formal dresses, however, should be allotted 3 to 8 inches of space. Regardless of garment thickness or your gender, each garment needs at least the width of your hand when your hand is turned with your thumb facing you; otherwise, you can't reach in to grab what you need easily, and your clothes will crush together and wrinkle.

Rod Height

• Rod height may range anywhere from 30 to 72 inches, depending on what you will hang in the closet. The lowest rods will accommodate very young children's clothes while the tallest rod height works for floor length dresses. For most older children and adult clothing a height of 45 inches works.

Shelving

• Shelves in closets should be 14 to 16 inches deep. Deeper shelves provide more storage area but may hide items in the back. Give yourself at least 3 inches between the rod and the first shelf, and space your shelves at least 8 inches apart.