Nominal Length 500 mm: The Standard Size for Kitchen Cabinets and Full-Extension Runners

June 20, 2026

The nominal length of 500 mm is the dominant measurement for drawer runners in modern kitchen construction, making optimal use of the standard carcase depth of 550 mm to 600 mm.

Anyone planning, building, or repairing kitchen cabinets inevitably encounters the nominal length (NL) of 500 mm. This dimension has established itself as an industry standard. It defines the length of the drawer runner in the closed state and decisively determines how deep the actual drawer box can be built. In this guide, we examine the technical specifications essential when selecting runners with a 500 mm length and clarify which mechanism is right for your cabinet project.

Key Purchasing Criteria for Kitchen Drawer Runners

Choosing the right runner depends on hard factors. Dimensions, weight, and the desired extension length must be matched precisely to the carcase.

Dimensions and Installation Depth

The nominal length of the runner does not correspond to the required internal depth of the cabinet. For a runner with a 500 mm length, the internal carcase depth (clear measurement from the front edge of the carcase to the rear panel) must strictly be greater. Depending on the manufacturer and runner type (front locking clip or rear pin), a minimum of 503 mm to 515 mm is required. If the cabinet has an internal depth of exactly 500 mm, the runner will hit the back. The width of the runner also influences the internal drawer calculation. For side-mounted runners, an installation clearance of 12.7 mm to 13 mm per side usually needs to be calculated.

Full-Extension vs. Partial-Extension

A full-extension runner can be pulled out of the cabinet by 100 percent of its nominal length. For a 500 mm runner, this means a travel length of a full 500 mm. The entire contents of the drawer are immediately accessible. A partial-extension runner, on the other hand, reveals only about 75 percent of the depth. The rear section of the drawer remains inside the carcase, making access to items stored at the back more difficult. For professional furniture construction, especially in the kitchen, full-extension drawer runners are almost exclusively used today.

Load Capacity in Kilograms

The dynamic load capacity indicates the weight that the runner can permanently support without twisting when fully extended. The self-weight of the drawer box (made of chipboard or solid timber) must be factored in.

30 kg: Sufficient for standard cutlery drawers or lightweight textiles.
40 kg - 45 kg: The standard for pots, pans, and tableware.
60 kg - 80 kg: Required for wide larder units, heavy stacks of plates, or waste separation systems. Heavy-duty drawer runners, often manufactured from thicker sheet steel, are used here.

Overview of Runner Types and Comfort Features

In addition to pure dimensions, the design of the runner determines running smoothness and visual integration into the furniture piece.

Undermount Runners vs. Ball-Bearing Runners

As the name suggests, the undermount runner is fitted invisibly beneath the drawer base. It requires a specific construction of the drawer box (often with a maximum side panel thickness of 16 mm). A full-extension undermount runner operates like the suspension of a premium vehicle: the mechanism remains invisible, cushions impacts, and glides silently even under heavy loads. For high-grade kitchens, undermount drawer runners are the current technical standard.

The ball-bearing runner is screwed to the side or into a groove on the drawer box. It runs on steel ball bearings, is extremely robust, and often achieves very high load capacities. The mechanism is visible when the drawer is open. An older variant, nowadays mostly found only in very basic furniture, is the roller runner, where nylon rollers travel within a painted steel profile.

Soft-Close vs. Push-to-Open

These two mechanisms are often confused, but in their pure form, they are generally technically mutually exclusive.

Soft-Close (damped): An integrated cylinder (often filled with oil or gas) decelerates the drawer over the final centimetres of closing. A spring then pulls the drawer completely shut smoothly and quietly. Such soft-close drawer runners require a handle on the front panel to open the drawer against the spring resistance.
Push-to-Open (tip-on): This mechanism is designed for handleless fronts. A light press on the front triggers a tensioned spring that pushes the drawer open a short distance. Basic push-to-open drawer runners do not have a damped self-closing mechanism, as the drawer must be shut with enough momentum to re-tension the spring.

Which Runner for Which Kitchen Cabinet? (Decision Guide)

The specifications of the 500 mm runner must suit the respective intended application.

When planning a standard base unit (60 cm width) for pots:
Choose a full-extension undermount runner with at least a 40 kg load capacity. A 60 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out offers high volume that quickly becomes heavy.
When building a narrow niche cabinet for bottles or spices:
A load capacity of 30 kg is entirely adequate. For extremely narrow carcases (15 cm to 20 cm), side-mounted ball-bearing runners work well as they require less space below the base. A 20 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out can be realised solidly in this way.
When creating a base-unit alternative to a larder pull-out:
A 40 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out with heavy-duty ball-bearing runners (from 60 kg) is technically the safest choice to absorb leverage forces when pulled out fully.
When building complete drawers from scratch:

It is advisable to opt for ready-made drawer systems. Here, the metal sides, back brackets, and matching 500 mm runners are already calibrated to each other.

Installation Notes: Fitting 500 mm Runners

Correct installation determines the service life of the runners. Deviations of just a few millimetres lead to sticking or accelerated wear of the ball bearings.

Required Tools:

Cordless screwdriver with matching bits (usually PZ 2 or TX 20)
Spirit level
Rule and pencil
Bradawl

Step-by-Step for Precise Installation:

Use hole patterns: Modern kitchen carcases are drilled according to System 32 (32 mm hole spacing, 5 mm diameter). The standard setback from the front edge of the carcase to the first drill hole is 37 mm.
Select fixings: For pre-drilled System 32 holes, use Euro screws (specialist thread, often 6.3 mm outer diameter). For smooth internal sides made of MDF or chipboard, use countersunk wood screws (diameter 3.5 mm or 4 mm, max. 16 mm length for 18 mm carcase thickness).
Position runners: The carcase runner must be mounted dead level. For a 500 mm length, at least three, preferably four screws should be placed per runner (front, centre, back) to prevent sagging under load.
Adjustment: After clipping in the drawer, adjust the front via the locking devices (on undermount runners). Modern systems permit 3D adjustment: height (typically +/- 2 mm), lateral (+/- 1.5 mm), and tilt, achieving perfect gap alignment.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Nominal Length 500 mm

Can I fit a 500 mm runner into a cabinet with an internal depth of exactly 500 mm? No. The runner requires clearance at the rear for the mechanism. The internal carcase depth must be 503 mm to 515 mm depending on the model. For a 500 mm deep carcase, a runner with a 450 mm nominal length must be selected.

What is the difference between full-extension and partial-extension in practice? A full-extension runner with a 500 mm length extends the drawer forward by 500 mm. The carcase sits flush with the rear panel of the drawer. A partial-extension runner extends only about 375 mm; the rear 125 mm of the drawer remains concealed inside the cabinet.

Do 500 mm runners fit in every kitchen cabinet? Yes, provided they are standard kitchen base units. These typically feature an external depth of 600 mm and an internal depth of around 560 mm. The 500 mm runner is the absolute industry standard for this dimension.

How much load capacity do I need for a cutlery drawer? For a dedicated cutlery drawer up to 60 cm in width, a dynamic load capacity of 30 kg is completely sufficient. Only when storing tableware or pots should you upgrade to 40 kg to 45 kg.

Can ball-bearing runners be replaced with undermount runners? Not without modifying the drawer box. Ball-bearing runners require side clearance (usually 12.7 mm), whereas undermount runners need clearance underneath the drawer base (usually 28 mm) and a strictly defined maximum drawer side thickness. The timber drawer box generally needs to be rebuilt for such a swap.

Matching Products and Categories for Your Project

To find the right hardware for your furniture build or repair, navigate directly to the suitable technical specifications:

For unrestricted access to the entire cabinet contents: Full-extension drawer runners
For handleless fronts in modern kitchen design: Push-to-open drawer runners
For quiet closing of heavy pots and pans: Soft-close drawer runners
For especially wide pull-outs in storage areas: 60 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out
For complete new installations including metal drawer sides: Drawer systems