3 Tips for Determining How Long of a Bracket You Need (2025)

FAQs

How long of a shelf bracket do I need? ›

The size of the shelf will determine the length of the bracket necessary to support it. The bracket should be at least 2/3 the length of the shelf to support it. For example, if your shelf is 36 inches long, then a 24-inch bracket will be sufficient.

Plan Locations for Shelf Standards

For basic bookshelves, plan to set the standards 32 inches apart if the walls have studs spaced 16 inches apart. If your studs are spaced 24 inches apart, plan to attach a standard to each stud. Shelves should overhang the side brackets by no more than 6 inches.

For light to medium loads, shelving brackets should be spaced no more than 24 inches apart. For longer wire shelving, attach a bracket at least every 48 inches. For heavier loads, increase the size of your brackets and decrease the space between them.

While there isn't one standard shelf size, most kitchen shelves are about 11″-12″ deep. This typically lines up well with any upper cabinets, is large enough for plates, and is a good proportion for counter dept. My shelves are 11.25″ deep (a common lumber size), 1.5″ thick and 46″ long.

A: We recommend 4 brackets for a 72 inch shelf. 2 large brackets hold a 36 inch shelf that is 10 inches deep very well, and you will be happy with how 4 can hold a shelf this size.

In general, you can use a 1:2 ratio of bracket to shelf length. So for a 36-inch shelf, you will need an 18-inch bracket. However, the minimum length for any shelf is 18 inches as the bracket must be able to straddle 2 studs minimum.

Shelves for heavy loads should have their support brackets held by long screws going well into each of the wall studs at 16-inch intervals. Keep overhangs at each shelf end to 8 inches or less. Lighter loads can be held by supports screwed into every other stud at 32-inch intervals.

Typically it's a good idea to use brackets that are 1 inch shorter than the depth of the shelves.

How far should shelf span between brackets? ›

The longest recommended span is 36 inches between wall supports. Lumber. The longest recommended span between walls supports for 1×10 lumber is 24 inches. If the lumber is 1×12 then it is 28 inches.

Ideally your bracket should be 2”-4” shorter than your shelf length, as a rule. This means it will cross as many anchor points as possible on the wall. More places to anchor to the wall, equals more strength.

Once your anchors are installed, you can use the screws to attach the shelf bracket to the wall. I've found that the best way to ensure all your brackets are level with each other is to use your level regularly, checking vertically and horizontally that the bracket is level.

A: We recommend 4 brackets for a 72 inch shelf. 2 large brackets hold a 36 inch shelf that is 10 inches deep very well, and you will be happy with how 4 can hold a shelf this size.

Ensure shelves are properly sized to the brackets used — the front edges of shelves should not overhang the lips on the end of the bracket and the ends of shelves should not overhang end brackets by more than eight inches.

Shelves for heavy loads should have their support brackets held by long screws going well into each of the wall studs at 16-inch intervals. Keep overhangs at each shelf end to 8 inches or less. Lighter loads can be held by supports screwed into every other stud at 32-inch intervals.

Measure the exact size of the wall space where you intend to install your floating shelves. These numbers will help you estimate what sizes of shelves would work best. For example, if you have a wall that is 6 feet long and would like a shelf that goes halfway across the wall, a 3 foot long shelf would be needed.