Bookshelves typically have a depth ranging from about 10 to 12 inches (approximately 25 to 30 cm) to comfortably hold most hardcover and paperback books. Shallow shelves around 9 inches (about 23 cm) can work for novels, while deeper shelves up to 16 inches (approximately 40 cm) are suitable for larger coffee table books or display items. Customizable depths exist, but the standard functional depth usually falls within this range to balance storage capacity and space efficiency.

Typical Bookshelf Depths

• Standard depth: 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm)
• Shallow for novels: around 9 inches (23 cm)
• Deeper for large books: up to 16 inches (40 cm)

These depths support ease of access and visual organization, preventing books from being pushed too far back or awkwardly fitting.

If a bookshelf is for specialized items or unusually sized books, depths can be adjusted, but for general use, these sizes are most common and practical.