Locker Sizes and Dimensions Guide (UK)

Choosing the correct locker size starts with what users actually need to store. Height, width and depth matter, but the external cabinet dimensions are only part of the decision. Compartment size, door configuration, internal fittings, locker depth and the available room space all affect whether a locker will work in everyday use.

There is no single standard locker size that is right for every UK school, workplace, factory, warehouse, gym or changing room. A full-height locker and a six-tier locker may have similar overall cabinet dimensions while providing completely different storage space for each user.

This guide explains locker dimensions, compartment configurations, single-tier and multi-tier lockers, width, depth, height and how to choose locker sizes for bags, coats, workwear, PPE, schools, workplaces, leisure facilities and device storage.

If you already know the type of locker required and want to compare current products and exact dimensions, browse our commercial locker range.

Quick Answer: What Locker Size Do You Need?

Start with the largest item users regularly need to put inside the locker. Then decide how many users need storage and choose the smallest practical compartment that comfortably accommodates those belongings.

1. Identify what users actually need to store.
2. Measure representative bags, coats, PPE or equipment.
3. Decide whether hanging space is required.
4. Determine how many users need storage.
5. Decide whether lockers are assigned or shared.
6. Choose a preliminary locker configuration.
7. Check internal compartment dimensions.
8. Check the clear door opening.
9. Check locker width and depth against the room.
10. Allow for shelves, hooks, rails and lock bodies.
11. Confirm the exact manufacturer’s dimensions before ordering.

The correct locker size is normally the smallest practical compartment that comfortably holds what the user genuinely needs to store.

Locker Dimensions Explained

Locker dimensions are normally described using height, width and depth.

Dimension	What it means	Why it matters
Height	Vertical cabinet measurement	Determines overall fit and available vertical storage
Width	Measurement across the locker front	Affects storage width and how many cabinets fit along a wall
Depth	Front-to-back cabinet measurement	Affects storage capacity and room projection
Compartment height	Usable vertical space for one user	Important for coats, uniforms and bags
Compartment width	Usable internal width	Important for bags, helmets and equipment
Compartment depth	Usable front-to-back internal space	Important for backpacks, PPE, boots and bulky items

External Dimensions vs Internal Locker Dimensions

Do not assume the external dimensions tell you exactly how much usable storage is available inside each compartment.

Internal space can be reduced by:

• shelves;
• coat hooks;
• garment rails;
• internal dividers;
• shoe compartments;
• clean and dirty partitions;
• charging equipment;
• lock bodies;
• and the construction of the locker door.

Where storage capacity is important, check the manufacturer’s actual internal dimensions and clear door opening rather than relying on the external cabinet size alone.

Locker Size vs Locker Configuration

Locker size and locker configuration are related, but they are not the same thing.

A locker cabinet can be divided into one large compartment or several smaller compartments. Increasing the number of doors normally increases user capacity but reduces the amount of storage available to each user.

Configuration	Typical use	Main advantage	Main limitation
Single tier	Coats, uniforms, workwear and large bags	Maximum storage per user	Fewer users per cabinet
Two tier	Bags, clothing and general belongings	Good balance of space and capacity	Less hanging height
Three tier	Medium personal storage	More users per cabinet	Reduced vertical space
Four tier	Personal items and smaller bags	High user density	Limited garment storage
Five or six tier	Compact belongings and valuables	Maximum compartment count	Small storage volume per user
Z locker	Garments and personal belongings	Hanging space with increased capacity	Compartment shape must suit the belongings
Specialist locker	PPE, boots, tools or devices	Designed around a specific task	Less flexible for unrelated storage

Single-Tier Locker Sizes

Single-tier lockers provide one large compartment through most or all of the locker cabinet height.

They are particularly useful for:

• coats;
• uniforms;
• overalls;
• workwear;
• larger backpacks;
• sports clothing;
• and belongings requiring vertical hanging space.

The main trade-off is capacity. A cabinet containing one full-height compartment serves one user rather than two, four or six users.

Two-Tier Locker Sizes

Two-tier lockers divide the locker column between two users and can provide a useful compromise between storage space and user capacity.

Typical contents include:

• backpacks;
• handbags;
• folded clothing;
• shoes;
• personal belongings;
• and smaller workwear items.

Two-tier lockers are often useful where users need more than small-item storage but do not require full-height hanging space.

Three-Tier and Four-Tier Locker Sizes

Three-tier and four-tier lockers increase the number of individual compartments within a locker bank while retaining more usable space than very high-tier lockers.

They can suit schools, offices, gyms, leisure facilities, staff areas and general personal storage where users do not need to hang full-length garments.

Door count alone does not tell you whether the compartment is large enough. Always compare the actual internal dimensions with the belongings users need to store.

Five-Tier and Six-Tier Locker Sizes

Five-tier and six-tier lockers maximise compartment numbers within a given amount of wall space.

They work best for relatively compact belongings such as:

• phones;
• wallets;
• keys;
• small bags;
• personal effects;
• and temporary day-use storage.

The risk is maximising capacity on paper while creating compartments that are too small for everyday belongings. Test representative bags and items before ordering a large installation.

Z Locker Sizes

Z lockers use shaped interlocking compartments to provide more vertical hanging space per user than simple rectangular multi-tier lockers while serving more users than conventional full-height lockers.

They can work well for workplaces where hanging garments are required but available wall length limits the number of conventional full-height lockers.

Because the internal compartment shape is different, check the proposed bags, clothing and footwear against the actual product before ordering.

Start With What Users Need to Store

Items being stored	Main size consideration
Coats	Vertical hanging space
Backpacks	Internal width, depth and door opening
Handbags	Compartment width and depth
Books and folders	Internal height, width and shelf arrangement
Workwear	Vertical space and ventilation
Safety boots	Usable floor area
Helmets	Internal width and depth
PPE	Total shape and volume of the equipment set
Laptop bags	Internal dimensions and door opening
Phones and valuables	Compact compartment may be sufficient
Sports kit	Bag, clothing and footwear volume

Measure Real Bags and Equipment

For larger projects, measuring representative belongings before choosing a locker can prevent an expensive sizing mistake.

Examples include:

• a normal school backpack;
• a staff laptop bag;
• a winter coat;
• work boots;
• a hard hat;
• a full PPE set;
• a sports bag;
• or the largest regular item expected on site.

Allow enough room for users to insert and remove the belongings comfortably. An item that technically fits only when compressed or turned awkwardly is not a good everyday storage solution.

Locker Width

Locker width affects both internal storage and how many cabinets fit along a wall.

Wider compartments can make it easier to store backpacks, helmets, equipment cases and bulky clothing. Narrower lockers can increase the number of cabinets along a wall, but only where the resulting internal compartment remains practical.

Locker Depth

Locker depth affects both usable storage space and how far the cabinet projects into the room.

Common commercial locker depths include approximately 300 mm, 450 mm and 600 mm, although exact dimensions vary by manufacturer and locker range.

Depth	Typical use	Main consideration
Around 300 mm	Compact belongings and restricted spaces	Check that bags actually fit
Around 450 mm	General workplace, school and staff storage	Useful general-purpose starting point
Around 600 mm	PPE, coats, workwear and larger bags	Greater projection into the room

There is no universal best depth. Choose it from the belongings and the room together.

For the dedicated comparison, see What Depth Locker Do I Need?.

Locker Height

Overall cabinet height should not be confused with individual compartment height.

A tall locker divided into six compartments gives each user far less vertical storage than the same cabinet configured as one full-height compartment.

Vertical space is particularly important where users store coats, overalls, uniforms or other garments that need to hang rather than be folded.

Door Opening Size Matters

An item can theoretically fit inside a locker but still be difficult to pass through the door opening.

Check clear opening dimensions where users store bulky items including:

• helmets;
• wide backpacks;
• tool cases;
• large boots;
• sports equipment;
• and protective equipment.

Assigned vs Shared Locker Sizes

Assigned lockers

Assigned users may leave possessions in the locker for longer periods and can therefore require more room for clothing, shoes, work equipment and personal items.

Shared and day-use lockers

Shared users may need storage only while they are on site. Smaller compartments can sometimes work well, but only where they still accommodate the actual belongings users bring.

Do not use shared operation as a reason to specify compartments that are impractically small.

Locker Size vs Number of Users

There is always a trade-off between individual storage size and the total number of users a locker bank can serve.

• Larger compartments provide more storage but serve fewer users.
• Smaller compartments increase user numbers but reduce storage capacity.
• Mixed configurations can serve different user groups better than one universal size.

If your main question is the number of lockers rather than their dimensions, use our How Many Lockers Do You Need? Capacity Planning Guide.

Consider Mixed Locker Sizes

Not every user needs the same compartment size.

A mixed installation might include:

• full-height lockers for coats and uniforms;
• two-tier lockers for bags and personal items;
• small compartments for visitors or day users;
• PPE lockers for industrial staff;
• and specialist device lockers for laptops and tablets.

This can provide better overall capacity than forcing every user group into the same locker format.

Locker Sizes for Schools

School locker sizes should reflect pupil age and what students actually carry.

• school bags;
• books and folders;
• coats;
• lunch items;
• PE kit;
• sports footwear;
• specialist equipment;
• student reach;
• and available corridor or locker-room space.

A large quantity of small compartments is not efficient if normal school bags cannot fit comfortably.

For the wider education specification, see our School Lockers UK guide.

Locker Sizes for Workplaces

User group	Typical storage
Office staff	Coat, laptop bag, backpack, shoes and personal belongings
Factory staff	Workwear, PPE, boots, helmet and personal clothing
Warehouse staff	Outerwear, bag, PPE and footwear
Hybrid workers	Day bag, laptop equipment, coat and temporary belongings
Changing-room users	Clothing, footwear, toiletries and workwear

For complete workplace layouts, see our Workplace Locker Layout Guide UK.

Locker Sizes for Gyms and Leisure Centres

Gym and leisure users commonly need enough space for clothing, footwear, bags and personal belongings during temporary use.

Consider sports-bag size, winter coats, shoes, peak-time demand, lock type and whether the locker material suits the changing-room environment.

Do not assume that a compartment suitable for wallets and phones will also accommodate a complete gym bag and outdoor clothing.

Locker Sizes for PPE and Workwear

PPE often needs considerably more storage space than general personal belongings.

• hard hats;
• safety boots;
• high-visibility clothing;
• protective jackets;
• respiratory equipment;
• gloves;
• overalls;
• and personal clothing.

Where workwear and personal clothing need to be separated, the internal configuration may be more important than the overall cabinet size.

Locker Sizes for Laptops and Devices

Device lockers should be selected around the equipment rather than general personal-storage dimensions.

• largest laptop or tablet dimensions;
• protective case dimensions;
• power supply;
• charging equipment;
• cable space;
• door opening;
• and ventilation requirements.

If devices need charging while stored, use equipment designed for that purpose. Browse our charging lockers and cabinets.

How Locker Size Affects Room Layout

The locker cabinet is only one part of the space requirement.

A practical installation also needs to consider:

• locker depth;
• open locker doors;
• people standing in front of lockers;
• opposing locker banks;
• benches;
• room doors;
• columns;
• fixed services;
• cleaning access;
• and movement during busy periods.

Use the size guide to choose suitable locker dimensions, then use our Locker Planning UK guide and Locker Room Layout Planning Guide UK to position them within the room.

Calculate Locker Bank Width

Once a locker model has been selected, use its actual cabinet width to calculate the length of the locker bank.

Locker bank width = number of locker cabinets × actual cabinet width

Use cabinet quantity rather than compartment quantity. A four-door cabinet provides four user compartments but still occupies one cabinet width.

Also allow for finishing panels, corner conditions and other installation components required by the chosen range.

Do Not Confuse Cabinets with Compartments

This is a common planning mistake.

• 20 single-tier cabinets can provide 20 user compartments.
• 20 two-tier cabinets can provide 40 user compartments.
• 20 four-tier cabinets can provide 80 user compartments.

The wall space occupied may be similar where the cabinet widths are the same, but the amount of storage provided to each user is very different.

Accessibility and Locker Height

High multi-tier installations place some compartments higher or lower than others. Where users need easier access, allocation should consider reach, approach space and the operation of the lock and door.

Accessibility should be considered as part of the complete room design rather than from locker dimensions alone.

Should Every Locker Be the Same Size?

No. A uniform installation may look tidy and simplify purchasing, but different users often have different storage requirements.

• Office workers may need compact personal storage.
• Factory staff may need larger workwear compartments.
• Maintenance staff may need PPE storage.
• Visitors may need temporary day-use compartments.
• Device users may need specialist laptop or charging lockers.

A planned mixture of locker configurations can sometimes use the available space more efficiently than one locker type throughout the site.

Plan for Future Locker Requirements

Locker requirements can change as organisations grow or working patterns change.

• staff growth;
• changes in pupil numbers;
• hybrid working;
• new PPE requirements;
• uniform changes;
• future device storage;
• and additional matching lockers.

Future planning does not mean deliberately buying oversized lockers. It means avoiding a configuration that is already close to its practical limit when installed.

Common Locker Size Selection Mistakes

• Assuming there is one standard UK locker size.
• Choosing from external dimensions without checking internal space.
• Choosing by door count rather than stored items.
• Installing compartments too small for normal bags.
• Buying full-height lockers where only compact storage is required.
• Ignoring locker depth.
• Ignoring clear door-opening size.
• Forgetting shelves, hooks, rails and lock bodies.
• Assuming every user needs the same compartment size.
• Ignoring winter coats.
• Ignoring PPE, boots and helmets.
• Choosing dimensions without considering the room layout.
• Confusing cabinet quantity with compartment quantity.
• Using approximate dimensions instead of the selected manufacturer’s specification.

Locker Size Checklist

• What is the largest regular item users need to store?
• What is the largest normal bag?
• Are coats or uniforms stored?
• Is hanging space required?
• Are boots stored?
• Is PPE stored?
• Are helmets stored?
• Are laptops or devices stored?
• Is charging required?
• How many people need storage?
• Are lockers assigned or shared?
• How much internal height is required?
• How much internal width is required?
• How much internal depth is required?
• Is the door opening large enough?
• Are shelves or hooks required?
• How wide is the available wall run?
• How much room depth is available?
• Will benches be installed?
• Have the exact manufacturer’s dimensions been confirmed?

Related Locker Size and Planning Guides

• Commercial Lockers – compare current products and exact dimensions.
• How to Choose Lockers – main UK locker buying and selection guide.
• Locker Depth Guide – compare 300 mm, 450 mm and 600 mm depths.
• Locker Capacity Planning – calculate how many compartments are required.
• Workplace Locker Layout Guide – workplace sizing and layout.
• School Lockers UK – education-specific locker selection.
• Locker Planning UK – overall space, layout and installation planning.
• Locker Installation Planning UK – delivery, fixing and project coordination.

Locker Sizes and Dimensions FAQs

Choose Locker Dimensions Around Real Use

There is no single locker size that is right for every school, workplace, gym or changing room. The correct specification begins with the belongings users actually need to store.

Measure representative items, determine how many users need storage and choose a configuration with enough usable internal space. Then check the resulting cabinet width and depth against the available room, door clearance, circulation and installation requirements.

For current products and exact dimensions, browse our commercial locker range.

For help selecting an appropriate locker size or configuration, call 01284 749211 or email sales@totallocker.co.uk.