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Our Ultimate Guide to Choosing Cabinet Pulls for Your Kitchen Drawers
Sizing kitchen drawer pulls can feel tricky. This guide breaks it down—what counts as a drawer, how to apply the 1/3 guideline, and whether to keep all pulls the same size or vary by drawer width.
Looking for cabinet doors instead? Read How to Choose the Right Size Pull for Your Cabinet Door.
First, What Are Cabinet Drawers?
A cabinet drawer is a box that slides in and out of the cabinet. The handle mounts to the drawer front (the visible face). The width of this front determines pull size.
Are All Kitchen Drawers the Same Size?
No. Most kitchens mix narrow utensil drawers with wider pots-and-pans drawers. Expect variety—even within one run of cabinets.
Do drawers always get a pull? Generally yes—pulls make drawers easier to open than knobs, especially on wider/heavier drawers.
The 1/3 Guideline (Your Easy Starting Point)
Great hardware sizing is about proportion, balance, and scale. A simple rule of thumb: choose a pull with an overall length ≈ one-third the drawer width.
It’s a guide, not a law. If the exact 1/3 size isn’t available, pick the closest standard length that looks right to you.
Two Ways to Size Pulls Across Your Kitchen
Option 1 — Keep All Pulls the Same Size
Choose one size that looks balanced on most drawers and use it everywhere.
- Typical sizes: 3" to 5" center-to-center (≈ 4"–7½" overall length).
- Why it works: Creates a cohesive, low-stress look and simplifies ordering/installation.
Option 2 — Vary Pull Size by Drawer Width
Use the 1/3 guideline to scale pulls up for wider drawers and down for narrower ones.
How to Handle Wide or Oversized Drawers (≈36" and up)
For long, heavy drawers you have three attractive options:
Option A — One Long Pull (Using the 1/3 Guideline)
Often 10"+ overall length. European bar pulls shine here because they’re offered in extended lengths.
Option B — Two Pulls on One Drawer
Great for very heavy drawers. Divide the visual span and the weight you’re pulling.
- Sizing tip: Halve the drawer width to find the visual span of each side, then apply the 1/3 guideline to each half.
Option C — One Smaller Pull (Ignore the 1/3 Guideline)
For a consistent, minimalist look, keep the same pull size on every drawer—even the wide ones.
Quick Size Helper (Rules of Thumb)
- 12–18" wide drawer: 3"–4" CTC (≈4"–5½" overall)
- 18–24" wide drawer: 4"–5" CTC (≈5½"–7½" overall)
- 24–30" wide drawer: 6"–8" overall (or two smaller pulls)
- 30–36"+ wide drawer: 10"+ overall, or two pulls
CTC = Center-to-center hole spacing. Always verify the manufacturer’s overall length vs. CTC before drilling.
Need measuring help? See our quick measuring guide.
Wrap Up
Use the 1/3 guideline as your starting point, then choose either a single consistent size or scale pulls to each drawer. In the end, go with what looks proportional to you—and fits how you use the space.
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