Decision Shelf · Practical worksheet

Will it fit your desk?

Compare one candidate with the space you have. Finish with a clear next step, including when to change the layout or leave it unresolved.

← Available width →

Rear allowanceLeft

Organizer footprint
Product width × depth

RightFront allowance

Depth runs from front to rear ↕

Top view · not to scale. Allowances are room you choose to leave; check any manufacturer requirements separately.

1. Reserve your workspace

One unit for every measurement

Changing this label does not convert entered numbers. Use decimals with a point (2.5) or fractions (2 1/2), without unit suffixes.

There is no overhead obstruction; skip the height calculation

Location

Clear width

Clear depth

Clear height to the nearest overhead obstruction, if any

Work areas and obstacles to preserve

2. Record the exact candidate

Product, exact model and variant

Source and date checked

Product width

Product depth

Height to check: product or loaded height, whichever is greater

3. Choose your allowances

Left allowance

Right allowance

Front allowance

Rear allowance

Above allowance

4. Calculate the remaining space

Use the formulas below for manual totals.

Required width = product width + left + right

Remaining width = clear width − required width

Required depth = product depth + front + rear

Remaining depth = clear depth − required depth

Required height = height to check + above allowance

Remaining height = clear height − required height

5. Check storage and access

Largest item and its dimensions in the intended orientation

Verified usable compartment dimensions; measurements still missing

How will you retrieve contents, open a lid, or pull a drawer?

Your next step: keep this layout for a physical check, change it, or verify missing measurements

Example: enough desk space, not enough height

Hypothetical inputs, all in centimeters: clear space 60 wide × 40 deep × 30 high; candidate 20 wide × 15 deep; height including contents 24. Choose left/right allowances of 2 each, front/rear allowances of 2 each, and 8 above.

Width: 20 + 2 + 2 = 24 required; 60 − 24 = 36 remaining.
Depth: 15 + 2 + 2 = 19 required; 40 − 19 = 21 remaining.
Height: 24 + 8 = 32 required; 30 − 32 = −2 remaining.

The planned arrangement needs 2 cm more height. Change the arrangement or location, then recalculate. The example allowances are arbitrary inputs, not recommended clearances.

Return to the guide and worked example →