How to Measure Your Drawer for the Perfect-Fit, Non-Slip Dividers (3 Simple Steps)

To measure a drawer for dividers, you need two numbers: the internal length (wall to wall, at the narrowest point) and the internal height (base to top edge). Expandable dividers, including our Sortt range, are built to fit a range rather than one exact size, so as long as your drawer's length falls inside that range, you're set. Get it right and dividers slot in firmly and stay exactly where you put them. Get it wrong and they're either too loose to grip or sliding around every time you open the drawer. Here's the quick way to measure, plus how to make sure whatever you buy actually stays put.

In this article

• What you'll need
• Step 1: Measure your drawer
• Step 2: Match your measurements to the right size
• Why dividers slide around, and how to stop it
• Common measuring mistakes to avoid
• FAQ

What you'll need

• A tape measure
• Your phone or a notepad to jot the numbers down

Step 1: Measure your drawer

Length: measure wall to wall at the narrowest point, not the outer drawer front. If your drawer has runners or a centre rail, they often narrow the middle by a centimetre or two, so check there too rather than just at the front edge.

Height: measure from the base of the drawer to the top edge. This tells you whether you need a shallow divider (around 5.6cm, good for cutlery, stationery, or cosmetics) or a deep one (around 10cm, better for utensils, folded clothing, or bulkier items). As a rule of thumb, the divider should sit at or just below the top of the drawer so it doesn't catch when you close it.

Step 2: Match your measurements to the right size

Once you have your length and height, compare them against the table below. If your length falls anywhere inside a range, that size will expand and grip to fit.

Each size links through to white bamboo above, and comes in natural bamboo too. View the full Sortt range →

Why dividers slide around, and how to stop it

Getting the size right solves half the problem. The other half is the design of the divider itself. Many fixed grid trays and lightweight plastic dividers simply sit inside the drawer with nothing holding them in place, so every time you open the drawer they slide, tip, or bunch up at one end.

Sortt dividers are spring-loaded, so once you expand one to fit, it pushes outward against both drawer walls under constant tension rather than just resting there. The ends are finished with a soft, grippy pad rather than bare bamboo, which bites into the drawer sides without marking or scratching the wood. Between the tension and the grip, the divider holds its position through normal daily use, even in a drawer that gets opened and closed dozens of times a day.

If a divider you already own keeps sliding, check two things first: whether it's actually expanded to a snug fit rather than just dropped in loosely, and whether the ends are gripping bare wood or have worn smooth over time. A properly sized, spring-loaded divider with grip ends shouldn't need re-adjusting once it's in.

Common measuring mistakes to avoid

• Measuring the outside of the drawer front. Always measure the inside cavity, not the visible drawer face, which is often wider than the usable space.
• Ignoring runners and rails. Metal glides or a centre rail can narrow the drawer by a centimetre or two exactly where a divider needs to sit.
• Picking height by guesswork. A divider that's taller than the drawer wall will catch when you close it. A divider that's too short lets tall items topple over the top.
• Buying one size for the whole house. Kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom drawers are rarely the same length, so measure each drawer individually before you order.

Frequently asked questions

What if my drawer measurement falls right on the boundary between two sizes?

If your drawer measures around 43cm, it sits on the boundary between our Short (33-43cm) and Long (43-53cm) sizes. Measure carefully at the narrowest point of the drawer before choosing, as even a few millimetres can make a difference. If you're unsure which size is best, get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

Can I fit more than one divider in the same drawer?

Yes. Most drawers use two to four dividers, depending on the drawer size and how many compartments you want to create. A 4 pack covers most standard kitchen or bedroom drawers.

Do expandable bamboo dividers only work in kitchen drawers?

No. The same sizing principles apply to bedroom, bathroom, office, and even bathroom vanity drawers. Shallow dividers suit smaller items like cosmetics or stationery, while deep dividers work well for folded clothing or larger utensils.

Will the dividers mark or scratch my drawers?

Sortt dividers use soft grip ends rather than bare wood at the contact points, so they hold firmly against the drawer walls without scratching or leaving marks, even on painted or lacquered furniture.

How many dividers do I need for one drawer?

Most people use a 4 pack per drawer. How many compartments that creates depends on spacing: spread them evenly for wider sections, or bunch them closer together for narrower ones, depending on what you're organising.