Replacement Drawer Runners for IKEA Platsa: Dimensions and Load Capacities

September 13, 2025

A suitable replacement for IKEA Platsa drawer runners requires exact length dimensions, typically 350 mm or 550 mm, as well as a hole pattern compatible with the cabinet side panels.

This modular wardrobe system is designed for flexibility. When factory-fitted runners wear out, stick, or you want a technical upgrade with soft-close damping, finding the correct replacement hardware is essential. Swapping them does not require bespoke fittings, but rather standardised hardware that matches the specified cabinet depths and drilling patterns. This guide provides the technical specifications needed to identify the right runner based on dimensions, load ratings, and mechanical properties.

Key Buying Criteria for Replacement Runners

When selecting drawer systems as an alternative to original parts, three core technical parameters must be observed to ensure straightforward installation and smooth drawer operation.

1. Nominal Length and Cabinet Depth

The nominal length defines the total length of the closed runner. The Platsa system uses two standard cabinet depths: 400 mm and 600 mm. The runner must be shorter than the internal depth of the cabinet carcass so that the front closes flush.

For 400 mm deep carcasses, drawer runners 350 mm are generally used.
For 600 mm deep carcasses, drawer runners 550 mm are usually required.

Measure your old runner precisely when closed. Deviations of a few millimetres can often be compensated for through screw positioning, but a runner that is too long will block the door or drawer front from closing.

2. Installation Clearance and Side Spacing

Between the drawer side and the internal cabinet wall, there must be sufficient clearance for the runner mechanism. This dimension is known as the installation clearance. For classic ball-bearing runners, this standard measurement is 12.7 mm per side. If switching runner types, measure the external width of the drawer box and the internal clear width of the carcass. The difference divided by two gives the maximum allowable thickness of the new runner.

3. Hole Pattern and System 32

Industrially manufactured cabinet carcasses utilise System 32. This means the pre-drilled holes in the side panels are spaced exactly 32 mm apart. Ensure the replacement runner features elongated slots matching this spacing. Elongated slots also allow for fine height and depth adjustments during installation.

4. Dynamic Load Capacity

The load capacity indicates the weight the runner can safely support when fully extended, including the weight of the drawer itself. Standard runners for clothing are typically rated for 20 kg to 25 kg. If storing heavier items, upgrading to heavy-duty drawer runners with load capacities of 35 kg, 45 kg, or more is recommended.

Overview of Types and Mechanisms

Not all runners function the same way. Depending on requirements for accessibility and convenience, various runner types and mechanisms are available.

Full Extension vs Partial Extension

A partial extension runner pulls out to roughly 75% of its length. The back section of the drawer remains inside the cabinet, making access to stored items at the rear more difficult. A full extension runner extends 100%, which is particularly advantageous for deep cabinets (600 mm). When aiming to improve convenience, upgrading to full extension drawer runners is the most practical technical solution.

Runner Types

Roller runners: The classic choice for many standard furniture units. A plastic roller moves inside a powder-coated steel profile. They are simple to fit but often have slight lateral play. For a straightforward like-for-like replacement of standard runners, roller drawer runners are a practical option.
Ball-bearing runners: Here, small steel ball bearings run inside a telescopic steel profile. They offer significantly higher lateral stability, smoother running action, and are almost always designed as full extension runners.
Under-mount runners: These fittings are mounted invisibly beneath the drawer base. However, they require specific drawer construction (rebates in the back panel and suitable base clearance). Switching from side-mounted runners to under-mount drawer runners is complex and requires joinery adjustments to the existing drawer box.

Convenience Mechanisms: Soft-Close and Push-to-Open

These two systems use different mechanical principles and should not be confused:

Soft-close: An integrated hydraulic damper catches the drawer on the final few centimetres and pulls it shut quietly and smoothly. To prevent slamming fronts, choose drawer runners with damping. Alternatively, self-closing drawer runners use a mechanical spring to pull the drawer shut without damped deceleration.
Push-to-open: Designed for handleless fronts. Pressing the front releases a spring mechanism that pushes the drawer open. Push to open drawer runners require an activation gap of 2 mm to 3 mm between the drawer front and the cabinet carcass.

Which Runner for Which Requirement? (Selection Guide)

To choose the right fitting for your project, consider these scenarios:

Scenario A (Quick like-for-like replacement): The original white runner is sticking and you want to restore original functionality. Choose a roller runner in the exact nominal length (e.g. 350 mm or 550 mm).
Scenario B (Convenience upgrade): You want easier access to the back of the drawer and want to eliminate slamming. Choose a full extension ball-bearing runner with integrated soft-close. Ensure the side clearance is correct (usually 12.7 mm).
Scenario C (Tools or heavy items): You are using the cabinet in a pantry or home workshop. Choose a heavy-duty ball-bearing runner with a load capacity of 45 kg or more.

Installation Guide: Fitting Runners Correctly

Replacing runners is a straightforward maintenance task – with the right tools and fittings, the hardware is quickly operational again.

Required Tools:

Cordless screwdriver or manual screwdriver with a PZ2 bit (Pozidriv)
Folding rule or tape measure
Pencil
Bradawl or centre punch (optional)

Installation Steps:

Removal: Remove the drawer box. Unscrew the old runners from the cabinet carcass and from the drawer sides.
Check dimensions: Hold the new cabinet runner profile against the side panel. Align with the existing System 32 holes. Do the elongated slots on the new runner line up with the existing holes?
Mount the carcass profile: Secure the runner using suitable Euro screws (Ø 6.3 mm) or chipboard screws (Ø 4 mm, flat head). Fasten into the vertical elongated slots first to allow for subsequent height adjustment.
Mount the drawer profile: Attach the mating profile to the drawer box. On ball-bearing runners, the inner member can usually be disconnected by pressing a small release lever.
Insert drawer: Align the drawer horizontally with the carcass runners and push it in slowly until the mechanism audibly engages.
Fine adjustment: Check the alignment and gaps around the drawer front. If necessary, loosen the screws in the elongated slots slightly, adjust the position, and lock the runner firmly in place using the round fixing holes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I swap partial extension runners for full extension runners? Yes, provided the nominal length and installation clearance (the side gap between drawer and carcass) match. Standard full extension ball-bearing runners usually require 12.7 mm of space per side. If your old roller runners used the same spacing, replacement is straightforward.

What runner length is needed for a 40 cm deep carcass? For a carcass with an external depth of 400 mm (internal clear depth of approximately 380 mm), you generally require runners with a nominal length of 350 mm. A 400 mm runner would strike the back panel.

What is the difference between soft-close and push-to-open? Soft-close uses a damper to decelerate the drawer and pull it shut quietly. Push-to-open is an opening mechanism for handleless furniture; pressing the front causes the drawer to spring open. These mechanisms serve different functions and are typically not combined in a single runner.

Will the screw holes on new runners line up with existing holes? In most cases, yes. Modern cabinet runners feature elongated slots spaced according to the industry-standard System 32 (32 mm pitch). Minor variations can be compensated for using these slots.

How do I separate a ball-bearing runner to screw it to the drawer? Extend the runner fully. Inside the profile, locate the small plastic release lever (usually black). Press this lever up or down to release the inner slide member completely, allowing you to screw it onto the drawer separately.