Determining Hinge Measurements

Recently we’ve seen a spike in home renovations and DIYs, with a lot of us having to stay at home. Whether you’ve chosen to do it yourself, or you simply can’t get anyone into your home to help, don’t fear - we have the tips to get your new cabinets on in no time. We can even pre-drill your doors so all you need to do is fit the hinges in place. 

Put down the instructions and un-tighten the grip from your hair, we’ve composed a guide on determining the right hinge measurements for a smooth transition to replacing your door fronts.  

Step 1: Determining Your Hinge Type 

Your hinge type and location depend on where the door edge will break. If the door covers the entire side of the cabinet, you will need a full overlay hinge. If you have an adjacent door that has to share the edge of the cabinet with the door you are installing, your door will require half overlay hinges. If your doors are set into the cabinet frame and appear to fit flush with the face of the cabinet when closed, an inset hinge will be required.  

For a full overlay door, you’ll need a 110° hinge with 0mm cranking. Half overlay doors normally require a 110° hinge with 5mm or 9mm cranking, but you can confirm this by measuring the distance from the outer edge of the cabinet to where the door begins. Inset doors use a 110° hinge with 17mm cranking, but again, you can confirm this by measuring the distance between the outer edge of the cabinet frame to where the door begins.  

Don’t forget – if you’re replacing a bi-fold corner cabinet, you’ll need a 170° hinge instead of 110°, to allow for the increased range of motion. 

Step 2: Cup-Depth Measurements 

Before you jump online and begin ordering your new hinges, take some time to determine what hinge cup you need. Firstly, you’ll need to understand the size of your current hinges cup depth. In Australia, hinges are designed to suit standard door requirements, which mean majority of hinges have a diameter of 35mm; check your hinges to confirm this. However, if your doors have been custom fabricated or are heavier than usual, they may require a more specialised hinge.  

Step 3: Hinge Sizes 

There are three standard hinge sizes; 45mm, 48mm and 52mm. The distance between the screws on the mounting plate determines this length. You can measure from the middle of each fixing screw on your hinge to determine your existing hinge cups. View the picture below for a handy guide to cup measurements.  

Now that you are equipped with all the details and measurements, you can find the perfect hinge to fit to your doors. New hinges can be a great opportunity to upgrade to soft-close doors. If you’re planning on re-using your existing hinges, there are also some add-on soft close solutions available.  

Step 4: Hinge Placement 

Standard hinge drilling positions two hinges 100mm from the top of the door and 100mm from the bottom of the door, respectively. This measurement is taken from the centre of the hinge cup, not the top of the hinge. For larger doors, any additional hinges are spaced evenly between the top and bottom hinge. 

If you require anything other than the standard hinge drilling listed above, that’s fine, you can detail your hinge drilling requirements in the comment section of the Made to Measure Door app and we will fabricate your doors accordingly. Just make sure to double check your measurements and remember that the end point will determine the centre of your hinge. 

Get started by ordering your brand-new cabinet doors today.  

Can’t find what you’re looking for? We recommend checking out Titus Tekform for all your hinge requirements. With a wide range of European engineered hinges you can find anything you need to make your doors glide shut.

Do you still need help? Our staff are equipped to help you with any installation or purchasing queries that you have. Send us a DM on Instagram or email info@cabinetdoorsonline.com.au with your queries, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.