FURNITURE SIZE GUIDE

IKEA BILLY bookcase dimensions

BILLY comes in two widths, two heights and one standard depth, with an extension unit to take the tall version higher. Here are the sizes in centimetres and inches, shelf loads and what to check before you build one into a room.

3D render of the bookcase from Free Room Planner, set to 80 × 28 cm to match a BILLY, standing against a wall — The planner’s bookcase set to 80 × 28 cm, BILLY’s width and depth. It is our own generic model, not an IKEA product image. Rendered in Free Room Planner.

Plan a wall of bookcases →

BILLY sizes at a glance

Dimensions are width × depth × height. Inches are converted from IKEA’s centimetre figures and rounded.

Bookcase	Metric (W × D × H)	Imperial (W × D × H)	Shelves	Max load per shelf
BILLY 80 tall	80 × 28 × 202 cm	31.5 in × 11 in × 79.5 in	1 fixed + 4 adjustable	30 kg (66 lb)
BILLY 40 tall	40 × 28 × 202 cm	15.7 in × 11 in × 79.5 in	1 fixed + 4 adjustable	14 kg (31 lb)
BILLY 80 low	80 × 28 × 106 cm	31.5 in × 11 in × 41.7 in	2 adjustable	30 kg (66 lb)
BILLY 40 low	40 × 28 × 106 cm	15.7 in × 11 in × 41.7 in	2 adjustable	14 kg (31 lb)
Height extension unit	80 × 28 × 35 cm	31.5 in × 11 in × 13.8 in	—	—

IKEA’s US site lists the tall 80 cm bookcase as 31½ × 11 × 79½ inches. A tall BILLY with its height extension unit stands 237 cm (about 93¼ in) high. IKEA does not list a shelf load for the extension unit.

Versions with doors

BILLY combined with OXBERG doors is slightly deeper than the open bookcase, at 30 cm (about 11¾ in) instead of 28 cm, because the doors add to the front. It comes in the same widths and heights: 80 or 40 cm wide, 202 or 106 cm tall.

Replacement shelves

IKEA sells loose BILLY shelves at 76 × 26 cm for the 80 cm bookcase and 36 × 26 cm for the 40 cm bookcase. Shelves are narrower than the outside width because of the side panels.

Before you build it into a room

Anchor it. IKEA warns that BILLY is a tipping hazard and must be fixed to the wall. Leave enough space between the top of the bookcase and the ceiling to fit the fixing.
Count the run. Bookcases placed side by side add up exactly: three 80 cm units make 240 cm, which matches IKEA’s own 240 cm-wide BILLY combination.
Check the ceiling. The tall bookcase plus extension unit needs a ceiling comfortably above 237 cm.
Check your market. Ranges and finishes differ between countries, so confirm the size on your local IKEA product page before ordering.

Plan it in your room

Add a Bookshelf item in the planner and set it to 80 × 28 cm or 40 × 28 cm to match BILLY, then line up as many as your wall takes. Check that doors, radiators and walkways stay clear, and see the result in 3D. Try it in a living room or home office layout.

3D view of a 4.5 × 4.2 m living room plan in Free Room Planner with three 80 × 28 cm bookcases side by side on the back wall, a sofa, armchair, coffee table and floor lamp — A 4.5 × 4.2 m living room drawn in the planner: three 80 × 28 cm bookcases make a 240 cm run on the back wall, with the sofa 2.8 m away.

Try this in your room. Draw your room to size, add bookcases at 80 × 28 cm and see how many fit around your doors and windows.

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More size guides

Questions

How deep is an IKEA BILLY bookcase?

The open BILLY bookcase is 28 cm (about 11 in) deep. Versions with OXBERG doors are 30 cm (about 11¾ in) deep.

How tall is a BILLY bookcase?

The tall version is 202 cm (about 79½ in) and the low version 106 cm (about 41¾ in). With the height extension unit, the tall bookcase reaches 237 cm (about 93¼ in).

How much weight can a BILLY shelf hold?

IKEA lists 30 kg (66 lb) per shelf for the 80 cm-wide bookcase and 14 kg per shelf for the 40 cm-wide one.