Selecting the Right Size Hinge

In most homes, interior doors will use 3.5" hinges, while exterior door hinges will typically be 4" to support the additional weight of the door.

How to measure door hinges

To accurately measure your door hinges, you'll need a measuring tape and a few minutes.

  • Start by removing one of your door's existing hinges.
  • With the hinge removed, use a measuring tape to measure the width and height of the hinge.
  • Be sure to write down these measurements or take a picture for reference.
  • Now, measure the distance between the top and bottom of the hinge's "knuckle." This is the part of the hinge that connects the two leaves. This measurement will help you determine the correct "length" of the hinge.
  • Finally, measure the thickness of your door. Most interior doors are 1 3/8" thick, while exterior doors are 1 3/4" to 2" thick. Be sure to choose a hinge with the correct door thickness for your project.
  • Simply knowing the size and corner style is usually enough.