Door hinges are essential for holding your doors up as much as they allow you to open and close your finished door. While many lightweight doors come with two hinges, it doesn’t take much before you need to add a third hinge if you change your door.
The hinge size can make all the difference, especially if installing a new door that’s much heavier.
In our guide, you can learn more about door hinges that can fit your doors. By the end, you’ll have more information about installing new door hardware when replacing a door, gates, or even smaller door hardware on cupboards around the home.
How Do I Know What Size Hinge I Need?
You can find many standard hinges, yet many specialty hinges could suit your needs. Here’s a quick overview of the various types you could use to replace your existing hinges. (Read Self Tapping Screws Sizes Chart)
Mortise/Butt Hinges
In both home and commercial uses, butt hinges are the most prevalent hinge style. Two leaves of butt hinges connect by a pivot point, a detachable metal pin.
The leaves “butt” together when the door is closed, giving it a clean appearance on lightweight interior and exterior doors.
Rising Mortise/butt Hinge
The rising mortise hinge is a variation of the regular mortise hinge that causes the door to rise as it opens.
This feature allows the door to clear carpet or thick or uneven flooring on interior and exterior doors.
Ball Bearing Hinges
A ball bearing fixture will be permanently oiled, allowing smooth and silent operation. Because of the low stress and friction on the ball bearing, it is long-lasting and durable for use on heavyweight, wide, and exterior doors.
Spring Hinge
After opening, springs automatically pull the door back to its closed position. Should be used on screen doors, garage entry doors, or outward swinging exterior door hinges.
Concealed Hinge
While the door is closed, it is completely invisible. This hinge is mortised into the edge of the door and door jamb on both sides, allowing it only to be seen when it opens. You often see these on lightweight residential door hinges on interior and exterior doors.
Swinging Door Hinge
Also known as a butler hinge or a café door hinge. Allows the door to swing open in both directions. In addition, the hinge allows the door to sway back and forth to close rather than suddenly restoring it to its closed position.
Wide Throw Hinges:
When the door is open, wide throw hinges push the door out further to clear hinges, and the door needs to open 180 degrees and is set back in a reveal. Again, the doors must clear hinges, or they wouldn’t open fully.
What Is The Standard Hinge Size?
Hinge Material:
The most common materials for door hinges are stainless steel, brass, copper, bronze, cast iron, and pewter. However, the material you need may be determined by the location of the door. (Read Tapcon Drill Bit Sizes Chart)
For example, you might choose stainless steel hinges for heavy door or commercial applications where they are outside and need corrosion resistance.
Strap hinge types are commonly made of bronze or cast iron, which are incredibly rigid and an ideal hinge for heavy door use.
Hinge Finish and Design:
While function takes precedence, color and design are equally significant considerations. Hinges come in polished and antique brass, brushed nickel, oil rubbed bronze, pewter, black, and rust finishes.
Hinges come in a variety of styles. Hinges exist in various shapes and sizes, with artistic patterns carved into the hinge’s leaves and knuckles in some instances.
Door Height:
The height of your door will determine the quantity of hinges needed. For example, three hinges are typically required for 60″ doors, but anything taller may require more.
Based on the height of your door, use the chart below to determine how many hinges you’ll need.
Door Width and Thickness:
The door’s size, thickness, and weight will determine the hinge size. To select the proper size of the hinge and door hardware for your door, use the chart below as a guide to help determine the number of hinges needed.
| Door thickness | Door width | Approximate hinge height |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3/8" | Up to 32" | 3-1/2" |
| 1-3/8" | 32"-36" | 4" |
| 1-3/4" | Up to 36" | 4-1/2" |
| 1-3/4" | 36"-48" | 5" |
| 1-3/4" | Over 48" | 6" |
| 2", 2-2/4", 2-1/2" | Up to 42" | 5" (commercial duty) |
| 2", 2-1/4", 2-1/2" | Over 43" | 6" (commercial duty) |
| Door thickness | Standard Backset | Max Clearance Provided | Approximate Hinge Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3/8" | 1/4" | 1-1/4", 1-3/4" | 3-1/2" |
| 1-3/4" | 1/4" | 1", 1-1/2", 2", 3" | 4", 4-1/2", 5", 6" |
| 2" | 1/4" | 1", 1-1/2", 2-1/2" | 4-1/2", 5", 6" |
| 2-1/4" | 1/4" | 1", 2" | 5", 6" |
| 2-1/2" | 3/8" | 3/4", 1-3/4" | 5", 6" |
How Are Hinges Measured?
Leaf:
The leaf is the flat, rectangular part of the hinge connecting to the door or jamb. A typical hinge has two leaves.
Knuckle/ Barrel:
The hinge pin is put through the knuckle/barrel. Like the knuckles on your fingers, they allow the hinge to bend. Both knuckle and barrel are commonly used.
Pin:
The rod that joins the hinge leaves in the knuckles.
Leaf Height:
Leaf height is the length of the leaf parallel to the pin.
Leaf Width:
Measured from the pin center to the leaf edge opposing the knuckle or barrel. Contrast this dimension with the next.
Hinge Open leaf width:
The widest part of the opened hinge measured perpendicular to the hinge pin. This dimension is critical when calculating, sorting, or specifying a hinge or hinge set.
Hinge backset:
While not part of the hinge itself, this dimension is vital for calculating hinge size. The distance between the hinge’s edge and the door face. (Read Allen Wrench Sizes Guide)
Clearance:
The door’s position and frame or jamb when the door is wide open. This is a critical parameter for your calculation because it prevents the door from hitting the frame’s trim parts. (Learn How To Remove A Rusted Screw With A Stripped Head)
Door Hinge Locations
Most doors have three hinges; however, taller doors may have four.
- The top hinge is usually set 5 inches below the door’s top jamb/edge. (door frame)
- The bottom hinge is placed 10 inches above the finished floor.
- The third hinge is positioned in the middle of the top and bottom hinges.
Here are more suggestions to determine the size of hinge and the number used.
The door’s height determines the number of butt hinges required.
Use one hinge for every 30 inches of door height as a general rule of thumb. As in:
- Doors up to 60-inch doors require two hinges.
- If the door is 60-90 inches tall, use three hinges.
- Use four hinges for doors 90-120 inches wide.
If your door is between 37 and 120 inches wide, adding a hinge will help sustain the extra weight and tension on the frame.
Finally, the hinge’s material can affect its longevity and strength. Heavy, sturdy hinges support heavy doors and can be painted to match. Consider strong-duty steel hinges if they fit your application.
Consider stainless steel hinges for areas prone to corrosion. What about style? For example, brass vs. steel piano hinge?
Brass hinges add to the overall look. However, remember that brass is not as strong as steel or stainless steel. (Read Standard Socket Sizes)
Common Hinge Types and Sizes
| Square Hinges 1 Inch Square Hinges 1.5 Inch Square Hinges 2 Inch Square Hinges 3 Inch Square Hinges 3.5 Inch Square Hinges 4 Inch Square Hinges 4.5 Inch Square Hinges 5 Inch Square Hinges 6 Inch Square Hinges | Rounded Corner Hinges 3.5 Inch with 1/4 Inch Radius Hinges 3.5 Inch with 5/8 Inch Radius Hinges 4 Inch with 1/4 Inch Radius Hinges 4 Inch with 5/8 Inch Radius Hinges 4 Inch with 5/8 Inch Square Hinges 4 Inch x 4.25 Inch with 5/8 Inch Square Hinges |
|---|---|
| Rectangular Hinges 1.25 Inch x 1.5 Inch Hinges 1.80 Inch x 1.5 Inch Hinges 2.25 Inch x 3 Inch Hinges 4 Inch x 4.5 Inch Hinges 4 Inch x 5 Inch Hinges 4.5 Inch x 5-inch Hinges *Measured Width x Height | Double Action Hinges 2 Inch Double Action Hinges 3 Inch Double Action Hinges 4 Inch Double Action Hinges 5 Inch Double Action Hinges 6 Inch Double Action Hinges 7 Inch Double Action Hinges 8 Inch Double Action Hinges |
| Wide Throw Parliament Hinges 3 Inch x 2.25 Inch Hinges 3.5 Inch x 5 Inch Hinges 3.5 Inch x 6 Inch Hinges 4 Inch x 2.5 Inch Hinges 4.5 Inch x 6 Inch Hinges 4 5/8 Inch x 2 1/4 Inch Hinges *Measured Height x Width | Strap Hinges 2 Inch Strap Hinges 3 Inch Strap Hinges 4 Inch Strap Hinges 5 Inch Strap Hinges 6 Inch Strap Hinges 7 Inch Strap Hinges 8 Inch Strap Hinges 10 Inch Strap Hinges 12 Inch Strap Hinges 14 Inch Strap Hinges 16 Inch Strap Hinges |
| T (Tee) Hinges 4 Inch T-Hinge 5 Inch T-Hinge 6 Inch T-Hinge 7 Inch T-Hinge 7.5 Inch T-Hinge 8 Inch T-Hinge 10 Inch T-Hinge 12 Inch T-Hinge 13 Inch T-Hinge 13.5 Inch T-Hinge 14 Inch T-Hinge | Cabinet Hinges 15/64” Overlay Cabinet Hinges ¼” Overlay Cabinet Hinges ⅜” Offset Cabinet Hinges ⅜” Inset Cabinet Hinges ⅜” Overlay Cabinet Hinges ½” Overlay Cabinet Hinges ¾” Overlay Cabinet Hinges ½” Minimum Material Thickness Concealed Cabinet Hinges ¾” Minimum Material Thickness Concealed Cabinet Hinges 1” Minimum Material Thickness Concealed Cabinet Hinges No Minimum Material Thickness Concealed Cabinet Hinges |
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