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Doors and Windows
Door Installation
How to Measure a Door and Door Frame Download Article Accurately find the dimensions of any door with our help Co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle
Last Updated: April 2, 2025 Fact Checked
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Taking Door Measurements
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Drawing a Diagram of Your Door
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This article was co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle. Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 311,700 times.
Determining the size of your door is as simple as taking a few measurements and doing some basic math. You just need to find the height and width of the door using a measuring tool. Once you have measured these accurately, you can start on whatever your home project is, like replacing the door, installing a new style door, or decorating the one you currently have.
Easy Steps to Measure Door Size
Start by measuring the height, width, and thickness of the door with a tape measure. Then, measure the height and width of the door frame. Make each measurement in 3 places on your door to ensure they're the same.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Taking Door Measurements
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1 Measure the width of the door.[1]X Expert Source Ryaan TuttleHome Improvement SpecialistExpert Interview Run a tape measure along your door from the left corner to right corner, and record this number. It is important that you only measure the door. Do not include any other elements, such as weather-stripping.[2]XResearch source
Particularly with older doors, it is important to measure in more than one location, just in case the door is not perfectly rectangular. If the amounts vary, use the largest figure.
Door widths of 30 inches (76 cm), 32 inches (81 cm) and 36 inches (91 cm) are considered "standard."
2 Determine the height of the door.[3]X Expert Source Ryaan TuttleHome Improvement SpecialistExpert Interview Run your tape measure along your door from the top corner to the bottom corner, and write this number down. You may need to use a chair and/or ask a friend to help you. Once again, measure only the door itself and no other elements, such as a door sweep.
Once again, it is wise to measure in more than one spot on the door, just in case it's not a perfect rectangle. This is especially true for older doors. If the amounts vary, use the largest figure.
The most common height for doors is 80 inches (200 cm).
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3 Figure out the thickness of the door. Hold a tape measure to the edge of the door and record its thickness. Measure this edge on the door frame (known as the jamb), as well. These numbers should be close to the same, but it can be helpful to know both of them.[4]XResearch source
The most common thickness is 1.75 inches (4.4 cm).
4 Measure the height and width of the framed door space. Just to be safe, measure the area where your door will go, too. Record the height and width of the door frame space. This will help ensure that you select the exact right replacement door.[5]X Trustworthy Source United NationsOfficial site for the United Nations, an intergovernmental organization devoted to maintaining peace and building relationships between all nations. Go to source
Measure the width of the door in 3 locations. Use the smallest figure as your measurement.
Measure the height of the door right in the middle. Measure from the floor to the underside of the trim at the top of the door.
If you must, it is always better to round down than round up. This helps to ensure that your door will fit.
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Drawing a Diagram of Your Door
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1 Take a picture of your door and print it out. When you go in to select a replacement door, you should bring along a diagram with all relevant characteristics and measurements. One easy way to do this is to photograph your door and print out the image.
You can also simply draw a diagram with paper and pen.
2 Label the swing direction of your door. Open your door. Position your body so that your back is against the hinges. If the door is on your right, it is a right-handed door. If the door is on your left, it is left-handed. Your door will also either be in-swing or out-swing. Determine both of these characteristics and record them on the diagram you made.[6]XResearch source
An in-swing door opens into your house (or into a room), and an out-swing door opens outward.
3 Record all of the measurements on your diagram. Write the height, width, and thickness of your door down on your diagram. Write down the the height, width, and thickness of the door frame, as well.[7]XResearch source
4 Bring this diagram with you when you shop for doors. This diagram should make the process of replacing your door a lot simpler. Bring it with you any time you look at doors, and use it to guide your purchase.[8]XResearch source
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Expert Q&A
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Question How do I measure for a new door? Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist Expert Answer In order to measure for a new door or door slab, all you have to do is measure the width and the height of the door opening. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 14
Question How do I measure for a new door and a new door frame? Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist Expert Answer If you're going to measure for a new door and a frame, what you need to do is measure the door slab itself. That will tell you what size door and frame you need to replace it with. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 10 Helpful 8
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References
↑ Ryaan Tuttle. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview
↑ https://steeldoor.org/sdi-135/
↑ Ryaan Tuttle. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview
Co-authored by: Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist This article was co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle. Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. This article has been viewed 311,700 times. 48 votes - 83% Co-authors: 8Updated: April 2, 2025 Views: 311,700 Categories: Door InstallationArticle SummaryX
To measure the size of a door, first find the width by measuring from the left corner of the door to the right corner. Then, measure the height by running your tape measure along your door from the top corner to the bottom corner. To find the thickness of your door, measure the door jam or hold your tape measure across the inner edge of the door and record the number. In case it’s not a perfect rectangle, take these measurements from a few different spots on the door to verify your numbers. If the amounts vary considerably, then use the largest measurement. To learn how to create a diagram of your door, keep reading!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Ann Adams
Jun 15, 2019
"We were not sure about purchasing a replacement bedroom door and the direction it swings. This article cleared our misunderstanding about the swing direction in easy-to-understand terms."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist Co-authors: 8Updated: April 2, 2025 Views: 311,70083% of readers found this article helpful. 48 votes - 83% Click a star to add your vote
Ann Adams
Jun 15, 2019
"We were not sure about purchasing a replacement bedroom door and the direction it swings. This article cleared our misunderstanding about the swing direction in easy-to-understand terms."..." more
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Sep 14, 2021
"Was clueless how to measure for doors, frames etc, plain and simple instruction is all I needed. And this was more than satisfactory, thank you."..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Accurately find the dimensions of any door with our help Co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle 
How toFrame a Door Opening 
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Co-authored by: Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist This article was co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle. Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. This article has been viewed 311,700 times. 48 votes - 83% Co-authors: 8 Updated: April 2, 2025 Views: 311,700 Categories: Door Installation Article SummaryX
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1 Measure the width of the door.[1] Run a tape measure along your door from the left corner to right corner, and record this number. It is important that you only measure the door. Do not include any other elements, such as weather-stripping.[2] 
2 Determine the height of the door.[3] Run your tape measure along your door from the top corner to the bottom corner, and write this number down. You may need to use a chair and/or ask a friend to help you. Once again, measure only the door itself and no other elements, such as a door sweep. 
3 Figure out the thickness of the door. Hold a tape measure to the edge of the door and record its thickness. Measure this edge on the door frame (known as the jamb), as well. These numbers should be close to the same, but it can be helpful to know both of them.[4] 
4 Measure the height and width of the framed door space. Just to be safe, measure the area where your door will go, too. Record the height and width of the door frame space. This will help ensure that you select the exact right replacement door.[5] 
1 Take a picture of your door and print it out. When you go in to select a replacement door, you should bring along a diagram with all relevant characteristics and measurements. One easy way to do this is to photograph your door and print out the image. 
2 Label the swing direction of your door. Open your door. Position your body so that your back is against the hinges. If the door is on your right, it is a right-handed door. If the door is on your left, it is left-handed. Your door will also either be in-swing or out-swing. Determine both of these characteristics and record them on the diagram you made.[6] 
3 Record all of the measurements on your diagram. Write the height, width, and thickness of your door down on your diagram. Write down the the height, width, and thickness of the door frame, as well.[7] 
4 Bring this diagram with you when you shop for doors. This diagram should make the process of replacing your door a lot simpler. Bring it with you any time you look at doors, and use it to guide your purchase.[8] Advertisement 
Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. 