Depth vs. Width — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 24, 2023
Depth refers to the extent or distance downwards or inward, while width refers to the extent from side to side.
Difference Between Depth and Width
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Depth denotes how far something goes into a surface or an object; width specifies how broad that surface or object is.
In the context of a swimming pool, depth represents how deep the pool is from the surface to the bottom; width indicates how wide the pool is from one side to the other.
In knowledge or understanding, depth can suggest thoroughness or complexity, while width suggests range or breadth.
For a bookshelf, depth would describe how far back the shelves go, and width would denote the span from one end to the other.
In the case of graphics or displays, depth could relate to layers or dimensions, while width would signify the span across the display.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
How far something extends into a space
How far something extends from side to side
Measure
Vertical or inward distance
Horizontal distance
Knowledge
Indicates thoroughness or complexity
Indicates range or breadth
Dimensions
Refers to the third dimension in 3D
Refers to one of the primary dimensions
In Text
Might refer to layer or level of content
Refers to the breadth or span of the content
Compare with Definitions
Depth
The distance from the top surface down to the bottom.
The depth of the ocean remains a mystery in many areas.
Width
The measurement or extent of something from side to side.
The width of the road was adequate for two cars.
Depth
The complexity or intensity of a topic or emotion.
The depth of his love for her was evident in his actions.
Width
Breadth or range, especially of knowledge or experience.
The width of her knowledge on the subject surprised many.
Depth
A low point, level, or degree
Production has fallen to new depths.
Width
A piece of the full size or extent of an object or space.
The width of the cloth is 45 inches.
Depth
Intensity; force
Had not realized the depth of their feelings for one another.
Width
The state of being wide.
Depth
The severest or worst part
In the depth of an economic depression.
Width
The extent of a range or spectrum.
The width of his skill set is impressive.
Depth
The most profound or intense part or stage
The depth of despair.
An experience that touched the depths of tragedy.
Width
The measurement of the extent of something from side to side.
Depth
Strength held in reserve, especially a supply of skilled or capable replacements
A team with depth at every position.
Width
(cricket) The horizontal distance between a batsman and the ball as it passes him.
Depth
The total palette of available colors
Width
A piece of material measured along its smaller dimension or its crosswise grain, especially a piece of fabric measured from selvage to selvage.
Depth
The deepest part usually of a body of water
The burning ship finally sunk into the depths.
Width
(sports) The use of all the width of the pitch, from one side to the other.
Manchester United like to play with width.
Depth
(statistics) the lower of the two ranks of a value in an ordered set of values
Width
The quality of being wide; extent from side to side; breadth; wideness; as, the width of cloth; the width of a door.
Depth
Lowness; as, depth of sound.
Width
The extent of something from side to side
Depth
That which is deep; a deep, or the deepest, part or place; the deep; the middle part; as, the depth of night, or of winter.
From you unclouded depth above.
The depth closed me round about.
Width
The sideways extent of a swimming pool as distinct from its length.
The pool has a width of 20 meters.
Depth
The number of simple elements which an abstract conception or notion includes; the comprehension or content.
Width
The measurement or extent of something from side to side; the lesser of two or the least of three dimensions of a body
The yard was about seven feet in width
Depth
Intellectual complexity or penetration; profundity
A novel of great depth.
Width
Wide range or extent
The width of experience required for these positions
Depth
The range of one's understanding or competence
I am out of my depth when it comes to cooking.
Width
The state, quality, or fact of being wide.
Depth
The degree of richness or intensity
Depth of color.
Width
Abbr. w The measurement of the extent of something from side to side.
Depth
Lowness in pitch.
Width
A piece of material measured along its smaller dimension, especially fabric.
Depth
Complete detail; thoroughness
The depth of her research.
An interview conducted in great depth.
Depth
The vertical distance below a surface; the degree to which something is deep
Measure the depth of the water in this part of the bay.
Depth
The distance between the front and the back, as the depth of a drawer or closet
Depth
(figuratively) the intensity, complexity, strength, seriousness or importance of an emotion, situation, etc.
The depth of her misery was apparent to everyone.
The depth of the crisis had been exaggerated.
We were impressed by the depth of her knowledge.
Depth
Lowness
The depth of a sound
Depth
The property of appearing three-dimensional
The depth of field in this picture is amazing.
Depth
A very remote part.
Into the depths of the jungle...
In the depths of the night,
Depth
The most severe part
In the depth of the crisis
In the depths of winter
Depth
(logic) the number of simple elements which an abstract conception or notion includes; the comprehension or content
Depth
(horology) a pair of toothed wheels which work together
Depth
(aeronautics) the perpendicular distance from the chord to the farthest point of an arched surface
Depth
The quality of being deep; deepness; perpendicular measurement downward from the surface, or horizontal measurement backward from the front; as, the depth of a river; the depth of a body of troops.
Depth
Profoundness; extent or degree of intensity; abundance; completeness; as, depth of knowledge, or color.
Mindful of that heavenly loveWhich knows no end in depth or height.
Depth
A pair of toothed wheels which work together.
Depth
The perpendicular distance from the chord to the farthest point of an arched surface.
Depth
The maximum number of times a type of procedure is reiteratively called before the last call is exited; - of subroutines or procedures which are reentrant; - used of call stacks.
Depth
Extent downward or backward or inward;
The depth of the water
Depth of a shelf
Depth of a closet
Depth
Degree of psychological or intellectual depth
Depth
(usually plural) the deepest and most remote part;
From the depths of darkest Africa
Signals received from the depths of space
Depth
(usually plural) a low moral state;
He had sunk to the depths of addiction
Depth
The intellectual ability to penetrate deeply into ideas
Depth
The amount of detail or knowledge.
Her depth of understanding in physics is commendable.
Depth
The third dimension of an object in addition to length and width.
The depth of the box determines how much it can hold.
Depth
The profoundness or seriousness of a situation.
The depth of the crisis necessitated immediate action.
Depth
The condition or quality of being deep.
Depth
The extent, measurement, or dimension downward, backward, or inward
Dove to a depth of 30 feet.
Shelves with enough depth to store the large boxes.
Depth
The measurement or sense of distance from an observation point, such as linear perspective in painting.
Depth
Often depths A deep part or place
The ocean depths.
In the depths of the forest.
Common Curiosities
Can depth refer to abstract concepts like emotions?
Yes, depth can denote the intensity or complexity of emotions or topics.
How are depth and width used in the context of knowledge?
Depth signifies a profound or detailed understanding of a specific area, while width indicates a broad range of knowledge across various topics.
What does depth typically measure?
Depth typically measures the distance from the top surface down to the bottom or inward from a surface.
Is width related to horizontal measurements?
Yes, width usually refers to the horizontal measurement or extent of something from side to side.
What's the primary distinction between depth and width in objects?
In objects, depth refers to the inward distance or the third dimension, while width refers to the side-to-side span.
How do I determine the width of a rectangle?
The width of a rectangle can be determined by measuring the distance between its shorter two parallel sides.
Are depth and width interchangeable in any context?
Typically no, depth and width refer to distinct measurements or concepts, but context is key to their specific meanings.
In 3D space, where does depth fit in relation to length and width?
Depth is considered the third dimension, with length and width being the first two.
Can depth relate to levels or layers in graphics?
Yes, in graphics, depth can refer to layers, levels, or dimensions.
How can one visualize depth in real-life scenarios?
Depth can be visualized by thinking of the deep end of a pool or the layers in a cake.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
