How to Measure for Replacement Cabinet Doors (Step by Step)

Custom cabinet doors are cut to the exact size you give us, to the 1/16". That's what makes them fit perfectly, and it's also why measuring is the most important step of your order. This guide walks you through it for the three situations we see most.

What you need

  • A good tape measure that reads in 1/16" marks
  • A pencil and paper, or a phone notes app
  • Painter's tape to number each door as you go

Always write sizes as width first, then height. Width is side to side; height is top to bottom. Mixing them up is the most common ordering mistake.

1. Replacing existing doors (refacing)

If your cabinets already have doors and you like how they fit, measure the doors themselves, not the cabinet openings.

  1. Close the door, or take it off its hinges.
  2. Measure the width edge to edge across the middle of the door.
  3. Measure the height edge to edge.
  4. Round to the nearest 1/16".
  5. Put a numbered piece of tape on the door and write the size next to the number.

Measure every door, even ones that look the same. Doors that look identical are often 1/8" different, especially in older kitchens.

2. New frameless (European) cabinets

Frameless cabinets have no wood frame on the front. The door covers almost the whole box, leaving a small even gap around it.

  • One door on a box: door width = box width minus 1/8". Door height = box height minus 1/8". That leaves a 1/16" reveal on each side.
  • Two doors on one box: take the box width, subtract 1/8" for the outside reveals and another 1/8" for the gap between the doors, then divide by two.

Example: a 30" wide by 30" tall box with a pair of doors. 30 − 1/8 − 1/8 = 29 3/4", divided by two = 14 7/8" each. Each door is 14 7/8" × 29 7/8".

3. New face-frame cabinets

Face-frame cabinets have a solid wood frame on the front, and the door sits over the frame. Here you measure the opening and add the overlay, which is how far the door covers the frame on each side.

  1. Measure the opening inside the frame: width, then height.
  2. Find your overlay. It's set by your hinges, and 1/2" is the most common.
  3. Add the overlay twice to each measurement (once for each side).

Example: a 14" × 28" opening with a 1/2" overlay needs a 15" × 29" door.

For a pair of doors on one opening, add the overlay twice to the width, subtract 1/8" for the gap between the doors, then divide by two.

Drawer fronts

Measure drawer fronts exactly like doors: width first, then height. On new cabinets, use the same reveal or overlay rules as your doors. Drawer fronts don't get hinge holes, so make sure they're marked as drawer fronts on your order.

Let the calculator do the math

Our door builder has a built-in Size calculator. Pick your situation (old door, frameless box or face-frame opening), type what you measured, and it gives you the door size. For a pair, it adds a left and a right door to your order automatically. Already have your list in a spreadsheet? You can upload it straight into the builder.

Double-check before you order

  • Is every size width first, then height?
  • Are these finished door sizes, not openings (unless you used the calculator)?
  • Is the hinge side right for each door? See our hinge guide.

Ready? Enter your sizes and see your price instantly. If you're unsure about anything, send us a message before you order and we'll help.

Back to blog