Whether you’re replacing existing hinges or installing hinges on brand-new cabinets, measuring correctly is essential for achieving the right look and effortless operation.
This guide overviews how to measure existing cabinet doors for cabinet hinges, focusing on the most common types: European concealed and compact concealed hinges. You’ll only need a few tools and a measuring tape. Once you understand how these hinges work, you’ll be able to measure and install them confidently on any cabinet. For more in-depth cabinet door measuring instructions featuring various overlays with a more technical focus, visit our doors measuring instructions page.
The most popular cabinet hinge types today are European concealed hinges and compact concealed hinges. These hinges are hidden when the cabinet doors are closed, giving cabinets a clean, modern look. Many also have a soft-close feature to prevent slamming. Other hinge types, like exposed or semi-exposed, still exist, but they’re less common than they once were.
Concealed hinges come in different styles to match the cabinet door overlay:
Several concealed hinge options let you position the cabinet door with the amount of overlay that you want. Different hinges are compatible with full overlay, partial overlay, inset, and face frame cabinets and doors.
Every part of the cabinet measuring process — from measuring cabinet drawers to measuring drawer slides to measuring hinges — requires precise steps to ensure everything works together for smooth cabinet operations.
To measure your hinges, the first step is to remove the door from the cabinet. If you have concealed hinges, all you have to do is separate the hinge from the plate, and the door will come right off. If you have an older hinge style, you’ll have to remove the screws from the hinge on either the cabinet or door to separate it.
Once the door is off, you can begin the measuring process. Before you measure, however, you need to know what type of cabinet you have because that will determine the type of hinge you need and how you’ll mount it during installation.
Cabinets fall into two categories: Face frame and frameless.
Once you determine the type of cabinet you have, you’ll also need to measure the overlay, which is the first and most important step in selecting the correct hinge.
The cabinet door overlay measurement will determine which hinge you need. For measuring overlay hinges, follow these steps:
Hinges are labeled based on the overlay that they achieve once installed. The hinge base plate height will also be labeled.
If you’re replacing existing hinges, you should measure the cup diameter and depth to make sure the new hinges are compatible. There are two ways to do this:
If you’re replacing concealed hinges, you’ll need to know this measurement to ensure the new hinge fits the existing hole. Generally, cabinetmakers will use a standard 13mm hinge boring depth, which is compatible with most concealed hinges.
Hinge boring will vary depending on the type of hinge and the overlay. The boring distance or tab distance is the distance between the edge of the cabinet door and the start of the hinge cup. This distance will depend on the manufacturer’s recommendation for where to bore the hole for the hinge cup.
The number of hinges and hinge holes that you need will depend on the size of the door. For doors between 9 inches and 39 inches high, you’ll need two hinge holes 3 inches from the top and bottom edges. For doors 39 1/16 inches to 60 inches, you’ll need to bore holes for three hinges. Doors greater than 60 inches will require four or five hinges.
Lay the hinge in place and then measure the center-to-center distance between the mounting holes. You can make a small mark in the center of the hinge’s mounting holes and then double-check your measurement before pre-drilling the holes.
Measuring face frame hinge spacing means knowing where you want to place the hinges on the cabinet face. Some mount to the back of the face frame, while others mount to the side of the frame. You can also choose compact hinges that are designed to be used with face frame cabinets.
Accurate hinge measurements will help you install the cabinet doors right the first time. As with any woodworking project, you may notice some inconsistencies with the materials as you work, so making sure you’re taking correct measurements will allow you to control at least one of the variables.
Accurate measurements will also ensure an even overlay and reduce the likelihood of rework, which can slow down the project.
There are a few common pitfalls to be aware of as you measure for cabinet hinges.
The table below outlines typical industry-standard dimensions and tolerances for common hinge types. Actual specifications can vary slightly between manufacturers, so always confirm with the hinge supplier or product documentation. Hinge overlay distances are application-specific and often vary from the standard dimensions, particularly in custom cabinetry.
|
Hinge Type |
Cup Diameter |
Typical Overlay Distance |
Recommended Boring Distance |
|
Full Overlay |
35mm |
1-¼" |
3mm |
|
Partial Overlay |
35mm |
½" |
3mm |
|
Inset |
35mm |
Flush fit with 2mm reveal |
5mm |
|
Hinge Type |
Cup Diameter |
Typical Overlay Distance |
Recommended Boring Distance |
|
Full Overlay |
35mm |
⅝” |
5mm |
|
Partial Overlay |
35mm |
¼” |
5mm |
|
Inset |
35mm |
Flush fit with 2mm reveal |
5mm |
These measurements represent general standards used by leading hinge manufacturers (such as Blum, Salice, and Grass) and align with the most common cabinet applications.
Hinge overlay distances can be adjusted within tolerances based on the hinge type and mounting plate combination. For specific tolerances, you should always reference the manufacturer's specifications in their product guide.
At Eagle Woodworking, we help take the guesswork out of choosing hinges with our cabinet door hinges guide, as well as our hinge configuration tool that’s built directly into our order form.
Measuring cabinet hinges means understanding the hinge placement, the door overlay, and the type of hinge you need. Use this checklist to make sure you’ve taken all of the necessary measurements.
When you need cabinet doors, Eagle Woodworking’s 1 to 2 week lead time supports timely project completion. We also offer a variety of standard hinge boring options to further expedite the installation process.
To get the most accurate hinge measurements, you can use a tape measure or a steel ruler. Taking measurements in millimeters will help you get the closest measurement possible. Hinge manufacturers often offer measurements in millimeters and inches, so you can cross-check to make sure your measurements are correct.
In some cases, your cabinet doors might be slightly warped, but that won’t necessarily prevent you from measuring the overlay. First, take a few measurements at different places along the door, then average those measurements to get a starting point. Once the door is mounted, you can use the hinges to adjust the position of the door.
You can reuse old hinge plates on new doors, but it’s important to match the hole patterns and measure accurately to make sure the door will line up properly. If the hinge plates are damaged or in poor condition, it’s best to install fresh hinge plates so the door can function properly.
Each cabinet hinge type and mounting plate combination allows for specific tolerances and adjustment ranges. You should always check the manufacturer’s specifications in the product guide for the exact tolerances based on your configuration. Eagle Woodworking provides a simple hinge guide for quick reference when determining hinge combinations and tolerances.
Measuring European concealed hinges requires figuring out the overlay you want and then finding a hinge that matches the desired overlay distance. In many cases, the overlay is engraved onto the hinge, so you’re able to remove it and check the measurement. For specialty hardware or other types of hinges, you can remove the hinge and use it as a guide to choose a new hinge, matching the shape and mounting holes for easier installation.