# HPLC dimensions and bench space: module footprints compared

> HPLC dimensions from current datasheets: autosampler and system footprints, service clearances, bench depth, lab space cost and practical ways to save room.

Source: https://elutrolab.com/en/blog/hplc-bench-space
Published: 2026-10-13
Publisher: Elutrolab (https://elutrolab.com)

A complete analytical HPLC or UHPLC system covers roughly 0.41-0.64 m of width and 0.47-0.65 m of depth on current datasheets, and stands 0.6-0.9 m tall once the modules are stacked. Vendors add 8-15 cm behind it for cables and air and a few centimetres at the sides, and Thermo Fisher asks for at least 1.6 m of bench length per system including the PC. A full-size autosampler alone is 260-420 mm wide and 470-640 mm deep; compact samplers for small systems are about 140-160 mm wide.

## Key points

- Full-size autosamplers from Agilent, Shimadzu, Thermo Fisher and KNAUER have a footprint of 0.13-0.26 m² and are often the deepest module in the stack.
- Integrated systems (Shimadzu i-Series, Waters Alliance iS) need no stacking but save little bench area: 0.21-0.32 m² for the whole LC.
- Vendor manuals ask for 2.5-10 cm at the sides and 8-15 cm at the rear; Thermo Fisher asks for at least 160 cm of bench length per Vanquish system including the data system.
- A 762 mm (30 in) deep bench, the NIH minimum at walls, is 8-38 mm too shallow for the deepest systems once their 15 cm rear clearance is added.
- Bench space is expensive: as an estimate, one HPLC position with its share of aisle is about 2.4 m² (26 sq ft) of lab floor.

## Footprints of current autosamplers

All values are from the manufacturers' current datasheets, manuals or help pages, seen in October 2026. Dimensions are rearranged to width × depth × height.

| Autosampler | W × D × H (mm) | Footprint (m²) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agilent 1260 Infinity III Vialsampler G7129A ([Agilent](https://lc.help.agilent.com/en/54043200325002123-7-171136788883294731-20.htm)) | 396 × 468 × 320 | 0.185 | 19 kg without thermostat |
| Agilent 1260/1290 Infinity III Multisampler G7167A/B ([Agilent](https://lc.help.agilent.com/en/36028802677603595-5-171136788883294731-20.htm)) | 396 × 468 × 320 | 0.185 | 22 kg without thermostat |
| Shimadzu Nexera SIL-40 family ([Shimadzu](https://www.shimadzu.com/an/products/liquid-chromatography/hplcuhplc/nexera-series/configurations.html)) | 260 × 500 × 280 (cooled models: 140 mm deeper) | 0.130 (0.166 cooled) | 17 kg, 24 kg cooled |
| Thermo Scientific Vanquish Split Samplers HT, FT, CT and C; the C and CT serve the Vanquish Core ([Thermo Fisher](https://assets.thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets/CMD/Specification-Sheets/ps-73319-hplc-vanquish-autosampler-ps73319-en.pdf)) | 420 × 620 × 290 | 0.260 | 22-29 kg |
| KNAUER AZURA AS 6.1L ([KNAUER](https://www.knauer.net/Dokumente/autosamplers/AZURA/V6821_Autosampler_AS_6.1L_User-Manual_EN.pdf)) | 364 × 567 × 379 (cool/heat: 623 deep) | 0.206 (0.227) | 28 kg, 30 kg cool/heat |
| SIELC Alltesta Mini ([SIELC](https://sielc.com/product/alltesta-autosampler)) | 160 × 195 × 145, depends on configuration | 0.031 | 3 kg |
| Elutrolab AS-48 (prototype) | 140 × 155 × 168, plus 6 mm feet | 0.022 | about 3.2 kg* |

Elutrolab makes the AS-48; * marks a design target. The full-size samplers offer things the compact ones do not, such as optional sample cooling and pressure ratings of 600 bar and more, so footprint is only one line of the comparison. For what to weigh beyond size, see [compact HPLC autosamplers compared](/en/blog/compact-hplc-autosamplers).

## Footprints of complete HPLC systems

| System | W × D × H (mm) | Footprint (m²) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agilent 1260 Infinity III stack: pump, Vialsampler, MCT, VWD, solvent cabinet | 435 × 468 × 892 | 0.204 | Our sum of the module heights; about 57 kg plus cabinet |
| Shimadzu i-Series LC-2050C ([Shimadzu UK](https://www.shimadzu.co.uk/products/liquid-chromatography/hplcuhplc/i-series/spec.html)) | 410 × 500 × 605 | 0.205 | Integrated; height excludes the reservoir tray; 63 kg |
| Waters Alliance iS HPLC ([Waters](https://www.waters.com/nextgen/us/en/products/chromatography/chromatography-systems/alliance-is-hplc-system.html)) | 499 × 635 × 742 | 0.317 | Integrated; 72.5 kg |
| Waters Arc HPLC, pump, sampler and 30 cm column heater ([Waters](https://www.waters.com/nextgen/us/en/products/chromatography/chromatography-systems/arc-hplc-system.html)) | 574 × 628 × 571 | 0.360 | A detector adds about 208 mm of height |
| Thermo Scientific Vanquish (U)HPLC with one column compartment ([Thermo Fisher](https://knowledge1.thermofisher.com/@api/deki/files/11238/Vanquish_Pre-Installation_Requirements_Guide_3-1.pdf?revision=3)) | 640 × 620 minimum bench area | 0.397 | Column compartment mounts at the side |
| Thermo Scientific Vanquish Neo (same guide) | 450 × 650 × 820 | 0.293 | 66 kg |

The Agilent row is our arithmetic from the module pages: G7111B pump 180 mm, G7129A Vialsampler 320 mm, G7116A column compartment 160 mm (435 mm wide), G7114A VWD 140 mm and solvent cabinet 92 mm high ([Agilent site preparation](https://gcms.cz/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Infinity_Lab_LC_site_prep_Si_P_Ch_en_SD_29001837_e3816c9696/InfinityLab-LC-site-prep-SiPCh-en-SD-29001837.pdf)). Your configuration may differ.

## Stacked or side by side?

Every modular system above is designed to stack, which keeps the bench footprint close to that of the largest module. Two things change when you stack.

**Height.** An Agilent stack is about 0.9 m tall, and Thermo Fisher recommends at least 110 cm of free height for a standard Vanquish stack including head space for eluent bottles. Waters states for the Arc that "no stack can exceed one meter (39.4 in.) in height" and lists 152 cm (5 ft) of vertical clearance at the bench. A wall shelf or fume-cupboard sash above the bench can rule out a stack that fits on paper.

**Service.** In a stack, the autosampler door and needle area must stay reachable, and the solvent lines must reach the pump. Side-by-side layouts use more bench length but are easier to service and cool; they are common when one detector (an MS, for example) or a second column compartment sits next to the LC.

Worked example: the Agilent stack above occupies 0.204 m². Its four main modules side by side (solvent cabinet on top) cover 396 + 396 + 435 + 396 = 1623 mm of bench length at 468 mm depth, about 0.76 m², or 3.7 times the area before side clearances.

## Clearances for ventilation and service

| Vendor | Side clearance | Rear clearance | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agilent InfinityLab modules ([Agilent](https://lc.help.agilent.com/en/36028800774460299-5-171136788883294731-20.htm)) | 2.5 cm (1.0 in) each side | About 8 cm (3.1 in) for air circulation and electric connections | Bench must carry the weight of all modules |
| Waters Alliance iS ([Waters](https://help.waters.com/help/en/product-support/alliance-is-system-support/715008415/DCE7CF7.html)) | 3 in (7.6 cm) each side | Not stated | Level within ±1° |
| Waters Arc ([Waters](https://help.waters.com/content/dam/waters/en/support/sitepreparationguides/2024/715004834/715004834v12.pdf)) | 7.6 cm (3 in) on the right | 15.2 cm (6 in) | 152 cm vertical above the bench |
| Thermo Scientific Vanquish ([Thermo Fisher](https://knowledge1.thermofisher.com/@api/deki/files/11238/Vanquish_Pre-Installation_Requirements_Guide_3-1.pdf?revision=3)) | Not stated | At least 15 cm (6 in) to unplug cables | At least 160 cm bench length with data system and printer; bench rated for twice the load |
| KNAUER AZURA AS 6.1L ([KNAUER](https://www.knauer.net/Dokumente/autosamplers/AZURA/V6821_Autosampler_AS_6.1L_User-Manual_EN.pdf)) | 5 cm with a device on one side, 10 cm with devices on both | At least 15 cm to the cooler fan | |

Read your own module's installation guide: these are the vendors' numbers for the models named, and accessories (an ELSD, a sample thermostat, a column identification kit) change them.

## How deep should the bench be?

The NIH Design Requirements Manual recommends a "minimum counter depth is 762 mm (2 ft. 6 in.) at walls" and plans lab modules around a 1.5 m aisle with 762-914 mm of bench or equipment on each side ([NIH DRM](https://orf.od.nih.gov/TechnicalResources/Documents/DRM/DRM2.108022024.pdf)). Check depth as module depth plus rear clearance:

| System | Depth | Rear clearance | Total | Left on a 762 mm bench |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agilent 1260 stack | 468 mm | 80 mm | 548 mm | 214 mm |
| Shimadzu i-Series | 500 mm | not stated | 500 mm + | up to 262 mm |
| Waters Alliance iS | 635 mm | not stated | 635 mm + | up to 127 mm |
| Waters Arc | 628 mm | 152 mm | 780 mm | 18 mm short |
| Thermo Vanquish | 620 mm | 150 mm | 770 mm | 8 mm short |
| Thermo Vanquish Neo | 650 mm | 150 mm | 800 mm | 38 mm short |

The deepest systems either need an 800-900 mm bench, or they end up at the front edge where they get knocked and leave no room for vials and notebooks. If you are fitting out a new lab, 900 mm benches along the LC wall are worth considering.

## Solvent bottles, waste and the PC

The footprints above do not include everything an HPLC needs on and around the bench:

- **Solvent bottles.** Most stacks carry their bottles on top in a tray or cabinet (the Agilent solvent cabinet is 92 mm high; the Vanquish solvent rack 12 cm). That adds height, not area, but bottles must be reachable for refilling.
- **Waste.** Waste usually goes into a closed container below or next to the bench, with the waste line running downhill. Keep the container in secondary containment and where its level can be seen.
- **Data system.** A PC and monitor need bench length of their own; Thermo Fisher's 160 cm figure includes the data system and a printer.
- **Working space.** Allow room in front of the autosampler to load racks and to put down a vial tray.

## What does lab bench space cost?

These are estimates for orientation, not a quote for your building.

- **Construction.** Cumming Group's Q4 2025 market analysis lists new-build "Life Sciences / Lab" construction at 700-1,520 USD per sq ft in Boston and 490-1,690 USD per sq ft across the ten US cities it covers, excluding land, fees and equipment ([Cumming Group](https://cumming-group.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CummingGroup_Q4_2025_MarketingAnalysis_2.13.26.pdf)).
- **Rent.** CBRE reported Boston-area life science asking rents of 77.97 USD per sq ft NNN in Q3 2026 ([CBRE](https://www.cbre.com/insights/figures/boston-metro-life-science-figures-q3-2026)), about 840 USD per m² per year before operating costs.

Worked example: using the NIH layout, each metre of wall bench "owns" its 0.762 m depth plus half of a 1.5 m aisle, about 1.51 m² of floor. One HPLC position of 1.6 m (Thermo Fisher's figure) is therefore 1.6 × 1.51 = 2.42 m², or 26 sq ft. At 77.97 USD per sq ft that is about 2,030 USD a year in rent, and at 700-1,520 USD per sq ft it cost roughly 18,000-40,000 USD to build. Costs differ by market (Cumming lists 490-1,690 USD per sq ft across its ten cities), but the order of magnitude makes the point: a system that needs 30 cm less bench saves real money over its lifetime.

## Practical ways to save bench space

1. **Stack everything you can**, within the vendor's height limit and below any shelf.
2. **Choose an integrated system** when you do not need modular flexibility; the Shimadzu i-Series puts a complete LC on 0.205 m².
3. **Share one PC** between two systems, or mount the monitor on an arm.
4. **Move waste below the bench** and keep only working volumes of solvent on top.
5. **Match the sampler to the throughput.** If your queues are rarely longer than a few dozen vials, a compact sampler leaves room for a second system or a sample prep station. Note that in a stack the sampler's size mostly saves height, since the pump and detector still set the footprint, so the gain is largest in side-by-side, mobile or OEM layouts.
6. **Plan depth, not just length.** A 900 mm bench lets you put the deepest systems back from the edge.

If the system is built into an instrument rather than set on a bench, the trade-offs change; see the [OEM autosampler checklist](/en/blog/oem-autosampler-integration). Pressure ratings are a separate question from size: see [HPLC pressure ratings](/en/blog/hplc-pressure-psi-bar).

> Note from Elutrolab: The Elutrolab AS-48 is a compact HPLC autosampler with a 140 × 155 mm footprint (168 mm high plus 6 mm feet) for 48 × 2 mL vials. It is an engineering prototype; values marked * are design targets.


## Frequently asked questions

### How much bench space does an HPLC system need?

A stacked analytical HPLC or UHPLC covers roughly 0.41-0.64 m of width and 0.47-0.65 m of depth. Thermo Fisher asks for at least 160 cm of bench length for a Vanquish system including the data system and printer, and most vendors ask for 8-15 cm free behind the stack.

### How deep should a bench be for an HPLC?

The NIH Design Requirements Manual recommends a minimum counter depth of 762 mm (30 in) at walls. That fits every module in this comparison, but the deepest systems (about 620-650 mm) plus a 15 cm rear clearance need slightly more than 762 mm.

### What are the dimensions of an Agilent 1260 autosampler?

Agilent lists the 1260 Infinity III Vialsampler (G7129A) and Multisampler (G7167A) at 320 × 396 × 468 mm (height × width × depth), 19 kg and 22 kg respectively without the sample thermostat.

### How much does lab bench space cost?

As an estimate: Cumming Group lists 2025 new-build life sciences and lab construction at 700-1,520 USD per sq ft in Boston, and CBRE reported Boston life science asking rents of 77.97 USD per sq ft NNN in Q3 2026. One HPLC position with its share of aisle is about 26 sq ft, or roughly 2,000 USD a year in rent at that rate.


## Sources

- [Agilent: Specifications of the 1260 Infinity III Vialsampler G7129A (InfinityLab LC help)](https://lc.help.agilent.com/en/54043200325002123-7-171136788883294731-20.htm)
- [Agilent: Bench space, site requirements for the vialsampler (InfinityLab LC help)](https://lc.help.agilent.com/en/36028800774460299-5-171136788883294731-20.htm)
- [Shimadzu: Nexera series configuration and module specifications](https://www.shimadzu.com/an/products/liquid-chromatography/hplcuhplc/nexera-series/configurations.html)
- [Shimadzu UK: i-Series specifications](https://www.shimadzu.co.uk/products/liquid-chromatography/hplcuhplc/i-series/spec.html)
- [Waters: Alliance iS HPLC System](https://www.waters.com/nextgen/us/en/products/chromatography/chromatography-systems/alliance-is-hplc-system.html)
- [Waters: Arc HPLC System site preparation guide, 715004834 v12](https://help.waters.com/content/dam/waters/en/support/sitepreparationguides/2024/715004834/715004834v12.pdf)
- [Thermo Fisher Scientific: Vanquish HPLC and UHPLC systems pre-installation requirements guide, rev. 3.3 (October 2025)](https://knowledge1.thermofisher.com/@api/deki/files/11238/Vanquish_Pre-Installation_Requirements_Guide_3-1.pdf?revision=3)
- [Thermo Fisher Scientific: Vanquish split samplers product specification](https://assets.thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets/CMD/Specification-Sheets/ps-73319-hplc-vanquish-autosampler-ps73319-en.pdf)
- [KNAUER: Autosampler AS 6.1L instructions, V6821](https://www.knauer.net/Dokumente/autosamplers/AZURA/V6821_Autosampler_AS_6.1L_User-Manual_EN.pdf)
- [SIELC Technologies: Alltesta Mini autosampler](https://sielc.com/product/alltesta-autosampler)
- [NIH: Design Requirements Manual, rev. 2.1 (2024)](https://orf.od.nih.gov/TechnicalResources/Documents/DRM/DRM2.108022024.pdf)
- [Cumming Group: Market analysis Q4 2025](https://cumming-group.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CummingGroup_Q4_2025_MarketingAnalysis_2.13.26.pdf)
- [CBRE: Boston metro life science figures Q3 2026](https://www.cbre.com/insights/figures/boston-metro-life-science-figures-q3-2026)