Knowing how to measure kitchen cupboard doors correctly is key when getting new ones. You might need new doors to update your kitchen’s look without buying all new cabinets. So, how do you measure for replacement kitchen doors? You can measure the old door itself if you still have it and it fits right. Or, you can measure the empty space (the opening) in your cabinet frame or box and add extra inches based on how much the new door will cover the frame or box edge (this is called overlay). The way you measure really depends on the type of cabinet you have: face frame or frameless. This guide will walk you through the steps to get it right.
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Getting Ready to Measure
Before you grab a tape measure, take a moment to get ready. Measuring seems simple, but mistakes can happen easily. Getting the measurements right the first time saves you time, money, and frustration. New doors that are the wrong size cannot be used.
What You Need
You only need a few things to measure properly.
- A steel tape measure. Make sure it is at least 12 feet long. Steel tapes are best because they stay straight. Cloth tapes can stretch and give wrong numbers.
- A pencil or pen.
- Paper or a notebook. You will write down many numbers. Keep them organized.
- A helper (optional, but good). Another person can hold the tape measure steady. They can also double-check your numbers.
- Safety glasses (good idea).
- A step stool or ladder if needed. Be safe when reaching high cabinets.
Steps Before Measuring
Do these things first to make measuring easier and more exact.
- Clear the area. Take things out of the cabinets you will measure. This gives you room to work.
- Remove old doors. If you are getting new doors, take the old ones off. This lets you see the cabinet opening clearly.
- Clean the cabinets. Wipe down the frames or boxes. Dirt can get in the way of exact measuring.
- Label everything. As you take doors off, write down where each one came from. You can use numbers or letters. Write the same label on the cabinet opening. This helps you match measurements later.
Grasping Cabinet Types
There are two main types of kitchen cabinets. Knowing which type you have is very important. It changes how you measure cabinet door height and width.
Face Frame Cabinets
Look at the front of your cabinets. Do you see a solid wood frame around the opening? This frame is usually about 1 1/2 inches wide. If yes, you have face frame cabinets. The doors attach to this frame.
Think of it like a picture frame around the empty space where the door goes.
Frameless Cabinets
Look at the front again. Do you not see a frame around the opening? The front of the cabinet box itself is flat. If yes, you have frameless cabinets. The doors attach right to the side of the cabinet box.
These are sometimes called “full access” cabinets because there is no frame getting in the way inside.
Understanding Door Overlap (Overlay)
This is a key idea, especially for face frame cabinet measuring. Overlay is how much the edge of the cabinet door covers the cabinet frame or box edge when the door is closed.
Different Overlays
Doors do not always just fill the opening. Most doors are larger than the opening. They sit on top of the frame or box. The amount they sit on top is the overlay.
- Standard Overlay: Doors cover a certain amount of the frame or box. Common overlays are 1/2 inch, 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch, or 1 1/2 inch. This means the door goes past the opening by that much on each side (top, bottom, left, right).
- Full Overlay: The door covers almost all of the face frame or the entire front edge of the frameless box. This gives a very modern, smooth look where you see very little of the cabinet box between doors.
- Inset: This is different. Inset doors do not overlay the frame. They fit inside the cabinet opening, flush with the face frame. This is a classic look. Measuring for inset cabinet doors is different from measuring for overlay doors.
You need to know what type of overlay you have or what type you want for your new doors.
Measuring for Face Frame Cabinets
This is the most common type in many homes. Face frame cabinet measuring needs care because of the frame and the overlay.
Measuring Opening Size
First, measure the empty space inside the face frame. This is the cabinet opening size.
- Measure Width: Measure the distance from the inside edge of the frame on the left to the inside edge of the frame on the right. Do this at the top, middle, and bottom of the opening. Use the smallest number you get. Write it down.
- Measure Height: Measure the distance from the inside edge of the frame at the top to the inside edge of the frame at the bottom. Do this on the left side, middle, and right side of the opening. Use the smallest number you get. Write it down.
Write down your measurements like this: “Opening #3: Width 15 inches, Height 24 inches.”
Measuring Cabinet Door Overlay
If you are replacing existing overlay doors and like how they fit, you can measure their overlay. This helps you figure out how big the new doors should be based on the opening size.
- Check the Hinges: Look at the hinges on your old doors. Many hinges for face frame cabinets are made for a specific overlay size (like 1/2″ or 1 1/4″). The hinge itself might tell you the overlay. This is a good quick check.
- Use a Penny: A simple trick for common overlays is using a penny. A penny is about 3/4 inch wide. If the door edge covers about two-thirds of the frame, it’s likely a 1/2 inch overlay. If it covers more than a penny, it might be a 1 inch or 1 1/4 inch overlay. This is not exact but gives you an idea.
- Measure the Overlay Directly: With the door closed, measure how much the door edge goes past the inside edge of the face frame on each side (top, bottom, left, right). This needs a steady hand. It’s easier if the door is off. If the door is off, measure the width of the door and the width of the opening. Subtract the opening width from the door width. Divide that number by 2 (because the door overlays on both sides). That’s the overlay for the width. Do the same for the height.
Example: Opening width is 15 inches. Old door width is 16 inches. (16 – 15) / 2 = 0.5 inches. This is a 1/2 inch overlay on the sides.
It is usually best to decide what overlay you want before measuring the doors themselves. Most people want a standard overlay (like 1/2 inch) or a full overlay.
Figure Out New Door Size (Calculate Cabinet Door Dimensions)
Once you know the opening size and the overlay amount you want, you can calculate cabinet door dimensions for ordering.
Door Width: Take the opening width. Add the overlay amount for the left side and the overlay amount for the right side.
Opening Width + Left Overlay + Right Overlay = New Door Width
Example for a single door on a 15-inch opening with 1/2 inch overlay:
15 inches (opening) + 0.5 inches (left overlay) + 0.5 inches (right overlay) = 16 inches (new door width).
Door Height: Take the opening height. Add the overlay amount for the top and the overlay amount for the bottom.
Opening Height + Top Overlay + Bottom Overlay = New Door Height
Example for a door on a 24-inch opening with 1/2 inch overlay:
24 inches (opening) + 0.5 inches (top overlay) + 0.5 inches (bottom overlay) = 25 inches (new door height).
So, a door for a 15×24 opening with a 1/2 inch overlay would be 16×25 inches.
Important Note for Double Doors: If two doors cover one wide opening, you need to calculate the width for each door.
- Measure the total width of the opening.
- Figure out the total door width needed (Opening Width + Left Overlay + Right Overlay).
- Subtract a small gap for between the two doors (usually 1/16 inch or 1/8 inch).
- Divide the result by 2. This is the width for each of the two doors.
Example: 30-inch opening with 1/2 inch overlay and 1/8 inch gap between doors.
Total door width needed = 30 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 31 inches.
Subtract gap = 31 – 0.125 = 30.875 inches.
Width for each door = 30.875 / 2 = 15.4375 inches.
You would order two doors that are 15 7/16 inches wide (since 0.4375 is close to 7/16).
Always check with your door supplier about how they want you to measure. Some suppliers might ask for the opening size and desired overlay, and they will calculate the door size for you. Others might ask for the exact kitchen cabinet door size you need.
Measuring for Inset Cabinet Doors
Measuring for inset cabinet doors is different. These doors fit inside the opening. They do not overlap the frame.
- Measure Opening Width: Measure the opening width in three places (top, middle, bottom). Use the smallest number.
- Measure Opening Height: Measure the opening height in three places (left, middle, right). Use the smallest number.
- Subtract for Gap: You need a small space around the door so it can open and close without rubbing. This gap is usually 1/16 inch or 3/32 inch on all sides.
- Subtract twice the gap amount from the opening width. (Opening Width – 2 * Gap = Door Width)
- Subtract twice the gap amount from the opening height. (Opening Height – 2 * Gap = Door Height)
Example: 15-inch wide, 24-inch high opening, with a desired 1/16 inch gap all around.
Door Width = 15 inches – (2 * 0.0625 inches) = 15 – 0.125 inches = 14.875 inches.
Door Height = 24 inches – (2 * 0.0625 inches) = 24 – 0.125 inches = 23.875 inches.
You would order a door that is 14 7/8 inches wide and 23 7/8 inches high (since 0.875 is 7/8).
Inset doors need very accurate measurements. Small errors can cause the door to rub or have uneven gaps.
Measuring for Frameless Cabinets
Frameless cabinet measuring is often simpler than face frame. There is no frame to measure around. The doors cover the front edges of the cabinet box.
How Frameless Doors Fit
Frameless cabinets use full overlay doors. The doors sit right on the front edge of the cabinet box. When closed, they cover almost the whole front surface, with only small gaps between doors.
Figure Out New Door Size (Calculate Cabinet Door Dimensions)
You will measure the cabinet box dimensions and decide on the gaps you want between doors and between the door and the edge of the cabinet run.
- Measure Cabinet Box Width: Measure the total width of the cabinet box from one outside edge to the other.
- Measure Cabinet Box Height: Measure the total height of the cabinet box from the top outside edge to the bottom outside edge.
Now, you need to figure out the door sizes based on these box sizes and the desired gaps. Standard gaps are usually 1/16 inch or 1/8 inch between doors that are next to each other.
For a Single Door:
* Door Width: Cabinet Box Width – (Gap on left side + Gap on right side). Often, there’s a gap where this cabinet meets another or a wall, and a gap where it meets the next door. Check how your current doors fit or decide the gap size. A common approach is to make the door almost the full width of the box, subtracting a small amount for a micro-gap (e.g., 1/16 inch) on each side that won’t be next to another door.
* Door Height: Cabinet Box Height – (Gap on top + Gap on bottom). If the cabinet goes floor to ceiling or to a bulkhead, the top and bottom gaps might be different. Usually, it’s a small gap (e.g., 1/16 inch) top and bottom.
For Double Doors on One Box:
* Total Door Width Needed: Cabinet Box Width – (Gap on far left + Gap on far right).
* Subtract the gap needed between the two doors (usually 1/16 inch or 1/8 inch).
* Divide the result by 2 for the width of each door.
* Door Height: Same as for a single door (Cabinet Box Height – Top Gap – Bottom Gap).
Example: Frameless cabinet box is 30 inches wide by 30 inches high. It will have two doors. You want a 1/16 inch gap on the far left and far right edges of the pair, and a 1/8 inch gap between the two doors. You want 1/16 inch gaps top and bottom.
Total Door Width Needed = 30 inches (box) – 0.0625 inches (left edge) – 0.0625 inches (right edge) = 29.875 inches.
Subtract gap between doors = 29.875 inches – 0.125 inches = 29.75 inches.
Width for each door = 29.75 inches / 2 = 14.875 inches. (Order two doors 14 7/8 inches wide).
Door Height = 30 inches (box) – 0.0625 inches (top) – 0.0625 inches (bottom) = 29.875 inches. (Order doors 29 7/8 inches high).
Again, check with your supplier. They might ask for the cabinet box size and your desired gaps, then calculate the door size. Or they might ask for the final door size you need.
Measuring Cabinet Hinge Holes
If you are reusing your old hinges or buying new hinges that fit old holes, you need to measure where the holes are on the door. This is called hinge boring. If you are getting new hinges and plan to drill new holes yourself or have the supplier drill them in a standard spot, you might not need this step. But if you need to match old holes, measure carefully.
Most modern hinges for cabinet doors are “cup” hinges or “European” hinges. They use a large round hole (the cup) and usually two small holes for screws next to it.
Key Hinge Hole Measurements
There are two main measurements for hinge holes on the door:
- Boring Distance (or ‘C’ Dimension): This is the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the large round cup hole. This is often a standard size, like 3mm, 5mm, or sometimes more. This distance affects how much the door overlays the cabinet.
- Boring Pattern: This is the distance between the centers of the two smaller screw holes next to the large cup hole. This is almost always 32mm (about 1 1/4 inches) in modern systems.
- Number and Location of Hinges: How many hinges are on the door? Where are they placed from the top and bottom edges of the door? Measure the distance from the top edge of the door down to the center of the top hinge cup hole. Measure the distance from the bottom edge of the door up to the center of the bottom hinge cup hole. If there are middle hinges, note their position too.
How to Measure Hinge Holes
- Take an old door that fits correctly.
- Look at the back side where the hinge cup sits in the wood.
- Use your tape measure or a ruler.
- For Boring Distance (C Dimension): Measure from the edge of the door (the side edge that the hinge is on) straight across to the center of the large round hole. Write this number down for each hinge location.
- For Boring Pattern: Measure from the center of one small screw hole to the center of the other small screw hole next to the cup. This should be 32mm.
- For Location: Measure from the top edge of the door down to the center of the top hinge cup. Write it down. Measure from the bottom edge of the door up to the center of the bottom hinge cup. Write it down. If there are more hinges, measure to their centers from the closest edge (top or bottom).
Write these measurements clearly. For example: “Door #5: Hinge boring 5mm from edge. Screw pattern 32mm. Top hinge center is 3 inches from top edge. Bottom hinge center is 4 inches from bottom edge.”
If you are ordering new cabinet doors and plan to use the same style of hinges, providing these hinge hole measurements lets the door maker drill the holes for you. This makes putting the new doors on much easier. If you are getting new hinges that require a standard boring pattern, you might only need to specify the boring distance and location from the top/bottom.
Step-by-Step Measuring Guides
Let’s put it all together with simple steps for the most common situations.
Guide 1: Measuring for Face Frame Overlay Doors
You want new doors that sit on top of your frame, like your old ones, or with a certain overlay amount.
- Remove the old door from the cabinet opening.
- Measure the width of the empty opening inside the face frame in three spots (top, middle, bottom). Write down the smallest number. (This is your “Opening Width”).
- Measure the height of the empty opening inside the face frame in three spots (left, middle, right). Write down the smallest number. (This is your “Opening Height”).
- Decide on the overlay amount you want (e.g., 1/2 inch). If replacing existing, measure your old door’s overlay to match it.
- Calculate Door Width: Opening Width + (2 * Desired Overlay). Example: 15″ opening + (2 * 0.5″) = 16″ door width.
- Calculate Door Height: Opening Height + (2 * Desired Overlay). Example: 24″ opening + (2 * 0.5″) = 25″ door height.
- If it’s a double door opening: Calculate the total width needed (Opening Width + 2 * Desired Overlay). Subtract a gap for between the doors (e.g., 1/8 inch). Divide by 2 for the width of each door. Height is calculated as above for a single door.
- Measure hinge hole locations on an old door if you need holes drilled. Measure from the top edge down to the center of the top hinge cup. Measure from the bottom edge up to the center of the bottom hinge cup. Note the distance from the side edge to the cup center (boring distance).
- Write down all final calculated door sizes (width x height) and hinge boring details for each door. Double-check your math.
Guide 2: Measuring for Face Frame Inset Doors
You want new doors that fit inside the frame opening.
- Remove the old door.
- Measure the width of the empty opening inside the face frame in three spots (top, middle, bottom). Write down the smallest number. (This is your “Opening Width”).
- Measure the height of the empty opening inside the face frame in three spots (left, middle, right). Write down the smallest number. (This is your “Opening Height”).
- Decide on the gap size you want around the door (e.g., 1/16 inch or 3/32 inch).
- Calculate Door Width: Opening Width – (2 * Desired Gap). Example: 15″ opening – (2 * 0.0625″) = 14.875″ door width.
- Calculate Door Height: Opening Height – (2 * Desired Gap). Example: 24″ opening – (2 * 0.0625″) = 23.875″ door height.
- If it’s a double door opening: Calculate the total width (Opening Width – 2 * Desired Gap). Subtract a gap for between the two doors (e.g., 1/8 inch). Divide by 2 for the width of each door. Height is calculated as above for a single door.
- Measure hinge hole locations on an old door if needed (from edges to cup center). Note boring distance and location from top/bottom edges.
- Write down all final calculated door sizes (width x height) and hinge boring details for each door. Measure carefully! Inset needs high precision.
Guide 3: Measuring for Frameless Cabinet Doors (Full Overlay)
You have cabinets with no front frame, and doors cover the box edges.
- Remove the old door.
- Measure the total width of the cabinet box from outside edge to outside edge. Write it down. (This is your “Box Width”).
- Measure the total height of the cabinet box from outside edge to outside edge. Write it down. (This is your “Box Height”).
- Decide on the small gaps you want between doors and at the ends of cabinet runs (e.g., 1/16 inch or 1/8 inch).
- Calculate Door Width:
- For a single door covering one box: Box Width – (Left Gap + Right Gap). Consider if the gap is between two doors, or between a door and a wall/end panel.
- For double doors covering one box: (Box Width – End Gaps) – Gap between doors / 2 = Width for each door.
- Calculate Door Height: Box Height – (Top Gap + Bottom Gap). Consider if the top is under a counter or if there’s a toe kick below.
- Measure hinge hole locations on an old door if needed (from edges to cup center). Note boring distance and location from top/bottom edges. Frameless hinges often have a standard 3-6mm boring distance.
- Write down all final calculated door sizes (width x height) and hinge boring details for each door.
Helpful Tips for Accuracy
Getting exact measurements is key for ordering new cabinet doors.
- Measure Twice (or Three Times!): Always measure each opening or door at least two times. Make sure you get the same number each time. If not, measure a third time.
- Use the Smallest Measurement: When measuring the width or height of an opening, measure in three spots. The cabinet frame or box might not be perfectly square. Using the smallest measurement ensures the door will fit in the tightest spot.
- Write Down Clearly: Keep your notes organized. Label each measurement with the cabinet location or number (e.g., “Sink base left door”, “Upper cabinet above fridge”). Write width first, then height (W x H).
- Measure in Inches: Cabinet doors are almost always measured in inches. Use fractions (like 1/4, 1/8, 1/16) or decimals (like 0.25, 0.125, 0.0625). Measure to the nearest 1/16 inch for good accuracy.
- Double Check Calculations: If you are calculating door sizes based on openings and overlay/gaps, check your math carefully. A small addition or subtraction error can make the door the wrong size.
- Account for Shared Openings/Doors: If two doors cover one opening, or one door covers part of two openings (less common), plan out all the doors in that section together. The gaps between doors matter.
- Consider Appliances: If a door is next to a tall appliance (like a fridge), make sure the door size and hinge type will allow it to open fully without hitting the appliance handle.
- Draw a Simple Plan: For complex areas with many doors, draw a simple picture of the cabinets and write the measurements on your drawing. This helps you see how everything fits together.
Ordering New Cabinet Doors
Once you have all your measurements, you are ready for ordering new cabinet doors.
Most suppliers will ask for:
- The exact width and height of each door you need. They make the door to these sizes. You have to do the calculations yourself based on your openings/boxes and desired overlay/gaps.
- Cabinet type: Face frame or frameless. This helps them understand the application.
- Door style: Shaker, raised panel, slab, etc.
- Wood type or material: Maple, oak, MDF, etc.
- Finish: Painted, stained, ready-to-finish.
- Hinge boring: Do you want the holes for hinges drilled? If yes, what are the boring distance (from edge to cup center) and locations (from top/bottom edges)? If you are buying hinges from them, they might use standard locations. If using your own hinges, you need to provide exact details.
Make sure you understand exactly what numbers the supplier needs. Do they want the opening size, or the final door size? Ask if you are unsure.
A sample order list might look like this:
| Cabinet Location | Cabinet Type | Opening W x H (if face frame) | Box W x H (if frameless) | Desired Overlay/Gaps | Final Door W x H Needed | Qty | Hinge Boring (from edge, top, bottom) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sink Base Left | Face Frame | 15″ x 24″ | N/A | 1/2″ Overlay | 16″ x 25″ | 1 | 5mm from edge, 3″ top, 4″ bottom |
| Sink Base Right | Face Frame | 15″ x 24″ | N/A | 1/2″ Overlay | 16″ x 25″ | 1 | 5mm from edge, 3″ top, 4″ bottom |
| Upper Cabinet #1 | Face Frame | 18″ x 30″ | N/A | Full Overlay | 19.5″ x 31.5″ | 1 | 6mm from edge, 3″ top, 4″ bottom |
| Upper Cabinet #2 | Frameless | N/A | 20″ x 30″ | 1/16″ gaps | 19.875″ x 29.875″ | 1 | 3mm from edge, 3″ top, 4″ bottom |
This table helps organize your kitchen cabinet door size list for ordering.
Keeping Track of Measurements
It is easy to get lost in numbers, especially in a large kitchen.
- Make a Drawing: A simple sketch of your kitchen layout with labels for each cabinet helps a lot.
- Number Your Cabinets: On your drawing and on the cabinets themselves (use a sticky note or pencil in a hidden spot), give each cabinet a number.
- Use a Spreadsheet or Table: Create a table like the example above to list each cabinet, its type, opening/box size, and the final calculated door size needed.
- Note Special Cases: Does a door need to clear a drawer pull on the cabinet next to it? Is one cabinet shallower than the others? Write down anything unusual.
Being organized prevents mistakes and makes the ordering process smooth.
Why Accurate Measuring Matters
Why spend so much time measuring carefully?
- Doors Fit Correctly: Doors that are the right size will open and close properly. They will line up nicely with each other and with the cabinet frames or boxes.
- Avoid Problems: Doors that are too big will hit each other or the cabinet frame. Doors that are too small will leave large, ugly gaps. Fixing wrong-sized doors is difficult and costly.
- Save Money: Having to re-order doors because the measurements were wrong is a waste of money. Cabinet doors can be expensive.
- Better Look: Properly measured and fitted doors make your kitchen look finished and professional, even if you installed them yourself.
Taking the time to measure right the first time is an investment in the final look and function of your updated kitchen.
Final Check
Before you place your order, look over all your measurements one last time.
- Did you measure width and height for every single door needed?
- Did you measure openings for face frame or box sizes for frameless?
- Did you correctly calculate the final door size based on the desired overlay or gaps?
- Did you account for double doors and the gap between them?
- If you need hinge boring, are those measurements exact?
- Are your notes clear? Did you write width then height (W x H) for every size?
If you can, have your helper look over your measurements and calculations too. A fresh pair of eyes can spot errors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I measure the old door or the cabinet opening?
A: You usually measure the cabinet opening (the empty space) or the cabinet box itself. Then you calculate the needed door size by adding extra for overlay (face frame) or subtracting for gaps (frameless or inset). If you are very happy with how an old door fits and want an exact copy, you could measure the old door, but measuring the opening/box and calculating is often safer to ensure a proper fit, especially if your old cabinets aren’t perfectly square.
Q: What is cabinet door overlay?
A: Overlay is how much the door covers the cabinet frame or cabinet box edge when the door is closed. A 1/2 inch overlay means the door goes 1/2 inch past the opening or box edge on each side it overlays.
Q: How do I measure for replacement kitchen doors on face frame cabinets?
A: Measure the width and height of the opening inside the frame. Then decide how much overlay you want the new door to have. Add the overlay amount for all sides the door will cover to the opening size. This gives you the new door size.
Q: How do I measure for replacement kitchen doors on frameless cabinets?
A: Measure the total width and height of the cabinet box. Decide on the small gaps you want between the door edges and other doors or cabinet edges. Subtract these gap amounts from the box size to get the new door size.
Q: How do I measure cabinet hinge holes?
A: On the back of an old door, measure the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the large cup hole (boring distance), and the distance from the top/bottom edge of the door to the center of the top/bottom cup hole (location). Also note the distance between the two small screw holes (usually 32mm).
Q: Can I reuse my old hinges with new doors?
A: Maybe. If your old hinges are in good condition and are a common type (like European cup hinges), and your new doors are the same style and thickness, you can likely reuse them. You will need to measure where the holes are on your old doors and have the new doors drilled in the exact same spot (hinge boring). Or you can buy new hinges and install them.
Q: What if my cabinets are not square?
A: Old cabinets are often not perfectly square. That is why you measure the opening or box in three spots and use the smallest width and smallest height. This ensures the door will fit in the tightest part of the space. Small gaps around the door can help hide slight non-squareness.
Q: Should I add extra for wiggle room?
A: You build wiggle room (the gap) into the calculation, especially for inset and frameless doors, or for the gap between double doors. You do not add extra to the final door size you calculate. The calculated size is the exact size the door should be made.
Measuring kitchen cupboard doors does take time and careful work. But by following these tips and steps, you can get the correct kitchen cabinet door size numbers needed for ordering new cabinet doors and give your kitchen a great new look.