Breedten

Breedten is the plural of breedte in Dutch, referring to the horizontal distance across an object or space. It denotes the width of something—from a door opening and a room to a fabric bolt or a printed page—and is often measured together with length and height to describe overall size. In practice, breedten can refer to a specified width at a particular location or the maximum width of an object. The choice of which width to use depends on the context and the standard definitions used in a field.

The term is widely used in architecture, construction, manufacturing, textiles, and graphic design. In architecture and interior design, breedten helps determine room layouts, door sizes, and corridor clearances. In manufacturing and logistics, it defines how parts fit within assemblies or how cargo fits in containers. In textiles, fabric width (often called the bolt width) limits how much material is available for cutting. In typography and layout, width can describe the horizontal space occupied by a character or element.

Measurements are typically given in metric units (millimeters, centimeters, meters) or, in some contexts, imperial units. Common measurement methods include direct measurement with a tape measure or calipers, and more advanced techniques such as laser distance meters or 3D scanning for complex shapes. Accurate breedten is important for fit, function, and accessibility, with standards sometimes specifying minimum widths to ensure safe passage and adequate clearance.

See also: dimension, length, height, diameter, tolerance, accessibility standards.