Quick answer
What are the dimensions of an IKEA BILLY bookcase?
The standard IKEA BILLY bookcase is 80 cm wide, 28 cm deep, and 202 cm tall — about 31½ × 11 × 79½ inches. IKEA also makes a 40 cm narrow version, an 80 × 106 cm short version, and a corner unit. The flat-pack box is roughly 81 × 12 × 31 inches.
Size reference
All BILLY sizes and dimensions.
| Model | W | D | H | Box Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BILLY Standard002.638.50 | 31.5" 80cm | 11" 28cm | 79.5" 202cm | 81" × 12" × 31" | 65 lbs |
| BILLY Narrow404.019.33 | 15.75" 40cm | 11" 28cm | 79.5" 202cm | 81" × 8" × 17" | 42 lbs |
| BILLY Short802.638.44 | 31.5" 80cm | 11" 28cm | 41.75" 106cm | 44" × 12" × 31" | 40 lbs |
| BILLY Corner895.432.01 | 15.75" 40cm | 11" 28cm | 79.5" 202cm | 81" × 8" × 17" | 38 lbs |
In context
BILLY size examples.
BILLY bookcase dimensions
The standard IKEA BILLY bookcase is 80 cm wide, 28 cm deep, and 202 cm tall, or about 31.5 x 11 x 79.5 inches. That 79.5 inch height is the number to watch at doors because many US interior doors are about 80 inches tall before trim and flooring reduce the usable clear height.
BILLY bookshelf dimensions for door and car checks
Flat-packed, the standard BILLY box is roughly 81 x 12 x 31 inches. It clears a normal door easily, but it may be too long for a sedan trunk unless the rear seats fold and the box can pass through diagonally. The narrow BILLY box is easier at about 81 x 8 x 17 inches.
Run a check
Will your BILLY fit?
Measure smart
What to measure.
Four numbers decide nearly every fit check. Get these right and the rest follows.
- 01The assembled width, depth, and height at the widest points, including feet, handles, and any headboard or back panel.
- 02The flat-pack box dimensions, which is what you actually carry up the stairs and load into the car, not the built piece.
- 03The item's smallest dimension, which decides whether tilting or turning it on edge gets it through a tight opening.
- 04The clear opening of every space on the route, measured to the gap and not the frame, plus diagonal clearance at any turn.
Don't make these
Common mistakes.
Most “it didn't fit” stories trace back to one of these oversights.
- ⚠Measuring the assembled piece when the flat-pack box is what has to clear the door and the trunk.
- ⚠Forgetting that a tall unit close to 80 inches is right at standard door height before trim and flooring eat into it.
- ⚠Assuming a long box fits a sedan trunk when it really needs folded seats or an SUV cargo bay.
- ⚠Planning the doorway but ignoring the turn at the top of the stairs or the landing pivot.
Go deeper
Calculators and other IKEA products.
Frequently asked
Questions we keep getting.
What are the BILLY bookcase flat-pack box dimensions?
The standard BILLY box is approximately 81" × 12" × 31" (206 × 30 × 79 cm) and weighs about 65 lbs. The narrow BILLY box is 81" × 8" × 17" and weighs about 42 lbs.
01How many BILLY sizes are available?
IKEA sells the BILLY in 4 main configurations: Standard (80×28×202 cm), Narrow (40×28×202 cm), Short (80×28×106 cm), and Corner (40×28×202 cm). Each is available in white, birch veneer, and dark blue.
02Can I stack two BILLY bookcases?
Yes — IKEA sells the BILLY height extension unit that sits on top of the standard BILLY, bringing total height to about 93.25" (237 cm). Secure stacked units to the wall with the included tip-over restraint.
03How long does a BILLY take to assemble?
The standard BILLY takes about 30–45 minutes for one person. The narrow and short models take 20–30 minutes. You'll need a Phillips screwdriver and a hammer (included).
04How deep is an IKEA BILLY bookcase?
Every BILLY frame is 28 cm (11 inches) deep, whether it's the standard, narrow, short, or corner version. Adding the optional BILLY/OXBERG glass doors grows the depth to about 30 cm (12 inches). That shallow depth is why BILLY fits against most walls without crowding a room.
05How much weight can a BILLY shelf hold?
Each adjustable BILLY shelf is rated for about 30 kg (66 lbs) evenly distributed, provided the unit is anchored to the wall with the included tip-over restraint. The fixed top and bottom panels hold more. Avoid loading a single shelf with a dense run of hardcover books beyond that limit.
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