What is the difference between side mount and undermount drawer slides?

Side mount slides fix to the drawer sides and cabinet walls — easy to fit and tolerant of cabinet tolerances. Undermount slides sit beneath the drawer box, hide the hardware for a cleaner look, and need a compatible drawer box with the right reveal. AOLISHENG builds both: side-mount heavy-duty series (2053 / 2576 / 7625) and undermount soft-close series (MK316 / U4510K).

What does full extension mean compared with 3/4 extension?

3/4 extension leaves the back of the drawer still inside the cabinet; full extension brings the whole drawer clear of the cabinet face so you can reach the back corner. Most AOLISHENG heavy-duty and soft-close series are full extension.

How do I choose the load rating for a drawer slide?

Add the heaviest realistic contents, then add 25–30% headroom so the slide is not run at 100% of its rating every day. AOLISHENG ratings run from 100 lb (U1245) through 265 lb (2053 family), 330 lb (2071), 500 lb (2576 family) up to 770 lb (AQ7625K3 twin-slide).

What are soft-close drawer slides and when do I need them?

Soft-close slides use a damper that pulls the drawer shut in the last few centimetres, preventing slamming. They are most noticeable on kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and also reduce the shock load that gradually loosens a carcass. AOLISHENG soft-close options include K2053, U4510K and MK316.

Are stainless steel slides worth it for outdoor or marine use?

Yes — whenever the slide is exposed to weather, salt air, humidity or frequent wash-down (outdoor kitchens, marine galleys, food-prep, coastal installs). AOLISHENG stainless options include W2053, W2576, W5115 and U4510K.

Which AOLISHENG series number maps to which spec?

The stamped codes read: 1245 = 100 lb stainless side mount; 4510 = 100 lb stainless; 5115 = 150 lb; 2053 = 265 lb; 2071 = 330 lb; 2576 = 500 lb; 7625 = 770 lb twin-slide. Remove the drawer and read the code on the inner rail, or send a photo and AOLISHENG will match it.

Can heavy-duty slides be used in RVs, trucks and vehicles?

Yes, with a locking slide so the drawer cannot slide open under braking or cornering. Use locking series such as D5115, D2053 or D7625 for any moving-vehicle storage.

Drawer Slide Guides, Household

Drawer Slide Selection Chart: Match Load, Mount, Extension & Locking to the Right Series

Posted by

Aolisheng

October 3, 2026

On September 13, 2026

How to Choose the Right Drawer Slide

Picking a drawer slide comes down to four numbers: load capacity, mounting type, extension, and whether you need a lock. Use the chart below, then follow the links to the matching AOLISHENG series.

Selection Chart

If you need…	Choose	Series
Light load, kitchen/office (up to 100 lb / 45 kg)	45 mm side-mount, soft-close available	1245 / 4510
Medium load (100–265 lb / 45–120 kg)	53 mm or 45 mm heavy-duty side-mount	2053 / 5115
Heavy DIY / tool storage (up to 330 lb / 150 kg)	71 mm ball-bearing side-mount	2071
True heavy duty (500 lb / 227 kg+)	76 mm / 80 mm wide full-extension	2576 / 7625
Locking during transport	Locking heavy-duty side-mount	5115 / 7625 (locking) / 2053-with-lock
Under-stair / stair storage	Bottom-mount stair slide	2047
Soft-close (no slam)	Soft-close side-mount	Soft-close series
Push-to-open (handle-free)	Push-to-open side-mount	Push-to-open series

Mounting Type Cheat-Sheet

Side-mount — most common; attaches to the drawer side and cabinet wall. Easy to install, full choice of loads.
Undermount — hidden beneath the drawer; cleanest look, needs precise 1/2″ clearance.
Bottom-mount — attaches to the drawer bottom; used for stair and under-stair cabinets.

Measure Before You Buy

Drawer length = slide closed length (a 18″ / 45 cm slide closes to 45 cm).
Check side clearance: side-mount needs ~1/2″ each side; undermount needs ~1/2″ under the drawer.
Confirm load: weigh the loaded drawer and add 30% margin.

Still unsure? Read our step-by-step installation guide or ask our engineers for a recommendation.

AOLISHENG series reference: profile, length range and load rating

The chart above groups our series by the job they do. The tables below are the numbers behind those groups: profile width, installation thickness, available length range, mounting method and rated load. Catalogue rows come from the ALS 2026 catalogue; the remaining rows come from the live product listings.

Series	Profile width	Installation thickness	Length range	Mounting	Load rating
A4510	45 mm	12.7 – 0.3 mm	10 – 24 in	Side-mounted	35 kg (approx 77 lb) standard; 45 kg (approx 100 lb) in 304 stainless
A5115	51 mm	12.7 – 0.3 mm	10 – 40 in	Side-mounted	68 kg (approx 150 lb)
A2047	47 mm	53.8 – 0.5 mm	16 – 28 in	Bottom-mounted	120 kg (approx 265 lb)
A2053	53 mm	19 – 0.5 mm	10 – 80 in	Side-mounted	120 kg (approx 265 lb)
A2071	71 mm	18.5 – 0.5 mm	10 – 40 in	Side-mounted	150 kg (approx 330 lb)
A7625	76 mm	19.2 – 0.5 mm	8 – 80 in	Side-mounted	220 kg (approx 485 lb)

Source: ALS 2026 catalogue. The A2071 line is built to the catalogue 71 mm / 150 kg family. Two listings quote a higher figure than the catalogue baseline: the D7625 locking version is listed at 500 lb and the AQ7625K3 twin-slide at 770 lb. Treat the catalogue value as the conservative design number and confirm the exact rating on the product page before you specify.

Series measured from the live product listings

Series	Type	Load rating	Mounting	Product page
MK316	Undermount soft-close	80 lb (approx 36 kg)	Undermount	View product
K1245	Soft-close side-mount, full extension	100 lb (approx 45 kg)	Side-mounted	View product
W2576	Heavy-duty side-mount, stainless, full extension	500 lb (approx 227 kg)	Side-mounted	View product
AQ7625K3	Twin-slide heavy-duty ball bearing	770 lb	Side-mounted	View product

Made-to-order lines for non-standard strokes and loads

When none of the catalogue lengths or ratings fit, these twelve made-to-order lines are built to the drawing. Load figures marked as confirmed per specification are quoted after we review the application.

Line	Load capacity	Product page
76 mm double-stack extended-reach slide	180 lb (82 kg)	View product
76 mm dual-row heavy-duty slide	350 kg	View product
76 mm bidirectional two-way slide	150 kg	View product
Concealed head and bottom undermount slide	Confirmed per specification	View product
Bottom-mount stair storage slide	265 lb (120 kg)	View product
Tandembox-style metal drawer box system	Confirmed per specification	View product
Double-bead frame reinforced slide	Confirmed per specification	View product
2U server rack rail	35 kg	View product
Anti-tip interlock drawer system	Interlock for 51 mm and 45 mm slides	View product
Custom precision linear guide rail	Custom stroke and load rating	View product
Locking linear guide drawer slide	265 lb (120 kg)	View product
Heavy-duty linear guide drawer slide	330 lb (150 kg)	View product

How to use these numbers when you specify a slide

Ratings describe a pair of slides carrying one drawer, not a single rail.
Add 25 to 30 percent headroom over the heaviest realistic contents so the slide is not worked at its full rating every day.
Match the closed length to the drawer depth: a 18 in slide closes to 18 in.
Check installation thickness against the gap you actually have. A 45 mm side-mount needs 12.7 mm each side; the A2047 bottom-mount stair slide needs 53.8 mm of vertical space instead of side clearance.
Pick the extension you need: full extension lets the drawer clear the cabinet front so you can reach the back corner.
Choose the finish for the environment: Q235 cold-rolled steel with blue zinc or black electrophoresis for indoor use, 304 stainless for wash-down, marine and outdoor kitchens.

Send the drawer depth, loaded weight and mounting method to our engineers and we will confirm the series: request a quote or contact us.

Where each AOLISHENG series fits in the selection chart

The chart above names the series. These are the live product pages behind each row, so you can check the exact load rating, closed length and mounting pattern before you order.

Request a quote Talk to an engineer

Browse the full range: Drawer Slides · Drawer slide buyers guide