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Measuring for replacement cabinet doors can feel intimidating when you're ordering custom-made doors, but the process is easier once you understand the measurements, overlays and spacing involved.
Use this guide to prepare your project, measure your cabinet openings accurately and determine the correct dimensions for both single and double cabinet doors.
A little preparation makes the measuring process much easier. Start with the right tools, organize the doors you are replacing and work from accurate cabinet opening measurements.
You don't need specialized equipment. A quality tape measure, pen or pencil and paper are enough for most cabinet door projects.
Before measuring, draw a simple diagram of each cabinet and label every door or drawer front you plan to replace. Record each measurement beside the corresponding opening so everything stays organized.
Existing doors can be useful as a reference, and removing them gives you easier access to the cabinet opening.
Many hinges include a release mechanism that makes removal simple. Work one door at a time, take your measurements and then rehang the door so you don't lose track of where each one belongs.
For replacement sizing, measure the actual cabinet opening and then calculate the overlay you want rather than relying exclusively on the dimensions of an older door.
Older doors can shrink, warp or differ from the overlay you plan to use with your new hinges.
Door spacing and hinge selection both affect the final dimensions you should order.
Consistent spacing helps cabinet doors operate smoothly while giving the finished installation a balanced appearance.
A gap of approximately 1/8 inch between neighboring doors is commonly used. This provides clearance for normal wood movement and helps prevent doors from rubbing.
Inset installations may use tighter spacing depending on the cabinet construction, materials and surrounding conditions.
If you're replacing your hinges along with your cabinet doors, don't assume the new hinges will create the same overlay as your existing hardware.
Hinge type and overlay work together. Choosing a different hinge can change how far the door extends over the face frame, which can change the door dimensions you need.
Existing doors may also have changed slightly with age, so using cabinet openings and your intended hinge overlay provides a more reliable starting point.
The cabinet door you order is usually larger than the cabinet opening because part of the door extends over the surrounding face frame. That extra coverage is known as the overlay.
Record cabinet door measurements carefully and consistently. Measuring to the nearest 1/16 inch helps you provide precise dimensions when ordering custom doors.
Read the tape measure carefully and write each dimension down immediately. Cabinet doors are custom-made to the dimensions you provide, so small measurement errors can affect fit, spacing and alignment.
Take your time and verify every opening before moving on to your final calculations.
Custom cabinet doors are manufactured according to the dimensions submitted with your order. Check your measurements and calculations more than once before completing your purchase so an incorrect width, height or overlay does not carry through to the finished door.
Once you know your desired overlay, calculating the dimensions for a single cabinet door is straightforward.
Remove the existing cabinet door so you can measure the cabinet opening clearly.
Measure the opening from left to right for width and from top to bottom for height. Write down both dimensions.
Add the overlay to both sides of each relevant dimension. For a 1/2-inch overlay on every side, add a total of 1 inch to the opening width and 1 inch to the opening height.
You can use the same general method for drawer fronts, but pay close attention to nearby drawer fronts, doors and countertops. There may not always be enough clearance to use the full overlay on every side.
Allowing approximately 1/8 inch of clearance between neighboring doors and drawer fronts helps reduce the chance of rubbing as the wood naturally expands and contracts.
If your hinges use an overlay other than 1/2 inch, double the overlay amount and add that total to the appropriate cabinet opening dimensions.
When two doors share one cabinet opening, you need to account for both the overlay and the small gap between the doors.
Record the complete width and height of the opening that both doors will cover.
Add the required overlay to the total opening width and height just as you would for a single door.
Subtract 1/8 inch from the total finished width to provide clearance between the two doors.
Divide the remaining width by two. This gives you the width to order for each individual door.
Watching the process can make these calculations easier to understand. The tutorial below demonstrates how cabinet openings, overlays, hinges and door alignment work together.
A few simple habits can prevent common measuring mistakes and make your cabinet door project much easier.
Take your measurements, complete your calculations and then repeat the process. A second measurement is much easier than correcting an incorrect custom order.
Use a rigid tape measure that clearly shows 1/16-inch increments. Flexible fabric tapes, rulers and yardsticks are less reliable for this type of project.
Have another person write down measurements as you call them out. They can also independently check the numbers and calculations before you order.
Review your final dimensions and ask whether they make sense. If one measurement looks unusually different from similar doors, measure the opening again.
Draw each cabinet opening and note the overlay around it. A visual reference is especially helpful when several doors require different widths or configurations.
Once your measurements are verified, you can use them to configure custom cabinet doors for your project.
CabinetDoors.com offers made-to-order cabinet doors in a range of styles, wood species and finishing options. When you're ready to order, work through each product option carefully and confirm your measurements before checkout.
Have questions about measurements or ordering? Call 800-342-1010 or email sales@cabinetdoors.com.
One of the biggest advantages of ordering custom-cut cabinet doors is getting dimensions that are made specifically for your cabinets rather than trying to make a standard-size product from a big-box store fit your project.
CabinetDoors.com has decades of woodworking experience producing custom doors in a wide range of styles and materials. That experience also helps make the measuring and ordering process easier for homeowners, DIYers and professionals.
Once you've confirmed your measurements, explore our cabinet door collection to find the style, material and finish that fits your project.