The lateral vs vertical file cabinet choice comes down to which way the drawers open and how much wall you can give up. A vertical file cabinet is narrow and deep, with drawers that pull out from the short side, so it suits a tight corner or the space under a desk. A lateral file cabinet is wide and shallow, with drawers that open from the long side, so it fits along a wall and doubles as a low credenza or a tall office storage unit. Below we compare both using the specs of cabinets we sell.
Lateral vs vertical file cabinet: the core difference
According to the Wikipedia entry on filing cabinets, a vertical file has drawers that extend from the short side of the cabinet (typically about 15 inches wide), while a lateral file has drawers that extend from the long side. That one detail drives everything else:
- Vertical: small wall footprint, but the drawer comes straight out toward you, so you need clear floor space in front.
- Lateral: takes more wall, but the cabinet is shallower, so it sits closer to the wall and leaves more room in the aisle.
The same source notes that US file cabinets are usually built around 8.5 x 11 inch (letter) paper.
File cabinet sizes: width, depth and aisle clearance
Measure the wall, then measure how far a drawer will reach into the room. A drawer on full extension slides pull out close to the full depth of the cabinet, and you need standing room in front of it on top of that.
Vertical file cabinet footprint
Our narrow, front opening cabinets work the way a vertical file does. The Benzara 26 Inch 3 Drawer Mobile File Cabinet is roughly 18 inches wide and 18 inches deep. The Benzara Bard File Cabinet is 22 inches wide, 18 inches deep and 28 inches tall. Both take up very little wall.
Lateral file cabinet footprint
The Benzara Amy Lateral File Cabinet is 36 inches wide, 17 inches deep and 24 inches tall. Every Tennsco lateral file we list is 17 15/16 inches deep, in widths of 36 or 42 inches. So a lateral unit needs about twice the wall of a vertical one, but it sticks out from the wall less. Because the drawer still slides toward you, plan an aisle at least as deep as the cabinet plus room to stand and bend.
Letter vs legal filing
Letter paper is 8.5 x 11 inches; legal paper is 8.5 x 14 inches. Check which size your files are before you buy, because a drawer built for letter folders will not hold legal folders.
- The Benzara Desk with File Cabinet, 47 Inch states that its file drawer accommodates letter size documents.
- The Tennsco and other Benzara listings do not state letter or legal sizing. Call us before ordering legal size storage and we will confirm with the manufacturer.
Capacity and weight limits
Few listings give a weight rating. Here is what is stated:
- The Benzara 47 inch desk with file cabinet lists up to 5 lbs per drawer and up to 10 lbs on the shelf. That is light duty.
- The Benzara 26 inch mobile cabinet lists a top that supports up to 200 lbs.
- The Tennsco listings give dimensions only, with no drawer load rating. Ask us for the spec sheet.
Home office storage: where each type fits
Under a desk or beside it
A short, mobile vertical cabinet is the classic under desk pedestal. The Benzara 26 inch mobile cabinet and the Bard both roll on casters, so you can pull them out when you need a file and tuck them away after. If you are also shopping for a desk, our executive desk buying guide covers desks with built in file drawers, and our desk dimensions guide lists knee clearance so you can check that a pedestal fits underneath.
Along a wall or behind your chair
A low lateral cabinet such as the Amy (24 inches tall, felt lined drawers, full extension metal glides, no assembly required) can sit under a window or behind your chair and serve as a credenza for a printer or lamp. Leave room for your chair to roll back; our guide on how to choose an office chair helps you size the chair first.
Office wall storage
Tall steel lateral files are built for business filing. Tennsco offers 2 to 6 drawer heights, from 27 9/16 inches up to 76 7/8 inches tall, so you can line a wall with matching units.
Materials: solid wood, MDF and steel
- Solid wood: the Amy is listed as solid mindi wood and veneers. It suits a home office where looks matter.
- MDF and particleboard: the Benzara mobile cabinet (MDF, particleboard, laminate and metal), the Bard (MDF and veneer) and the 47 inch desk with file cabinet (MDF, particleboard and metal) are the lower priced options.
- Steel: Tennsco lateral files are American made steel storage from Tennsco, LLC in Dickson, Tennessee.
Stability and anti tip safety
None of the file cabinet listings above describe an anti tip interlock or wall anchor, so do not assume one is included. Any tall cabinet, especially a 5 or 6 high lateral, can tip if several loaded drawers are open at once. Anchor tall units to the wall following the manufacturer’s instructions, open one drawer at a time, and load the bottom drawers first. Lock the casters on mobile cabinets before you open a drawer.
Lateral and vertical file cabinets we sell
For each Tennsco height we list the 36 inch wide model; 42 inch wide versions are also available, from $1,214.00 for the 2 high.
| Cabinet | Type | Size (W x D x H, inches) | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzara Desk with File Cabinet, 47 Inch | Desk plus mobile file cabinet | 47.25 x 23.25 x 30 (desk) | MDF, particleboard, metal | $237.42 |
| Benzara 26 Inch 3 Drawer Mobile File Cabinet | Vertical style, mobile | 18 x 18 x 26 | MDF, particleboard, laminate, metal | $218.70 |
| Benzara Bard File Cabinet, 3 Drawers | Vertical style, mobile | 22 x 18 x 28 | MDF, veneer | $619.41 |
| Benzara Amy Lateral File Cabinet, 2 Drawers | Lateral, low | 36 x 17 x 24 | Solid mindi wood, veneers | $745.94 |
| Tennsco 2 High Lateral Files (LPL3624L20) | Lateral, steel | 36 x 17 15/16 x 27 9/16 | Steel | $1,109.00 |
| Tennsco 3 High Lateral Files (LPL3636L30) | Lateral, steel | 36 x 17 15/16 x 39 3/8 | Steel | $1,462.00 |
| Tennsco 4 High Lateral Files (LPL3648L40) | Lateral, steel | 36 x 17 15/16 x 51 1/4 | Steel | $1,826.00 |
| Tennsco 5 High Lateral Files (LPL3660L50) | Lateral, steel | 36 x 17 15/16 x 65 | Steel | $2,297.00 |
| Tennsco 6 High Lateral Files (LPL3672L60) | Lateral, steel | 36 x 17 15/16 x 76 7/8 | Steel | $2,729.00 |
Price bands from these listings: about $219 to $620 for MDF vertical style units, around $746 for a solid wood lateral, and $1,109 to $2,729 for 36 inch steel laterals. Browse the full Tennsco range or our guide to buying furniture online for more office pieces.
Frequently asked questions
Is a lateral or vertical file cabinet better for a home office?
If floor space is tight or you want storage under the desk, choose a vertical or mobile cabinet. If you have a free wall and want a surface on top, a low lateral cabinet works better, and it sits only about 17 to 18 inches deep.
What file cabinet sizes should I measure for?
Measure wall width, depth into the room, and height under any window or desk, then add the drawer pull out plus standing room. Our Tennsco laterals are 17 15/16 inches deep in 36 or 42 inch widths.
Does a lateral file cabinet hold legal size files?
It depends on the model. Our Tennsco and Amy listings do not state letter or legal sizing, so call us and we will confirm before you order.
Do I need to anchor a vertical file cabinet?
Anchor any tall cabinet, vertical or lateral, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Short mobile pedestals are less of a tipping risk, but lock the casters before opening drawers.
Not sure which cabinet fits? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST, and we will check dimensions and filing specs with you. Shipping is free freight on orders of $999 or more, and $200 flat on orders below that.
