How to Measure Cabinet Handles: A Complete Guide to Getting the Right Size
Buying new cabinet handles is exciting — but ordering the wrong size is a frustrating and costly mistake. Before you add anything to your cart, take five minutes to measure correctly. This guide covers everything you need to know about cabinet handle sizing, hole spacing, and how to choose the right length for every drawer and door in your kitchen or furniture project.
The Most Important Measurement: Hole Centre Distance
The hole centre distance (also called hole spacing, bore distance, or centre-to-centre measurement) is the distance between the two screw holes on your cabinet or drawer. This is the single most important measurement when buying bar handles or pulls.
The three most common hole centre distances are:
- 96mm (3.75") — the most common size, suits most standard kitchen drawers and cabinet doors
- 128mm (5") — popular for wider drawers and larger cabinet doors
- 160mm (6.3") — used for wide drawers, pan drawers, and statement furniture pieces
Always match your new handle's hole centre distance to your existing screw holes — or drill new holes if you're starting fresh.
How to Measure Your Existing Hole Spacing
If you're replacing existing handles, follow these steps:
- Remove one of your current handles from the cabinet or drawer
- Using a ruler or tape measure, measure the distance from the centre of one screw hole to the centre of the other screw hole
- Note the measurement in millimetres — this is your hole centre distance
- Order handles with the same hole centre distance
Tip: Measure at least two or three handles across your kitchen — older cabinets sometimes have inconsistent spacing.
How to Choose Handle Length
The overall length of a handle is longer than the hole centre distance — the extra length is the overhang on each side. As a general rule:
- A 96mm hole centre handle has an overall length of approximately 140–160mm
- A 128mm hole centre handle has an overall length of approximately 170–190mm
- A 160mm hole centre handle has an overall length of approximately 200–230mm
For a balanced look, the handle should span roughly one third to one half of the drawer or door width.
Choosing the Right Size for Each Cabinet Type
Standard Kitchen Drawers (300–450mm wide)
A 96mm hole centre handle works well for most standard drawers. If the drawer feels wide, step up to 128mm for better visual balance.
Wide Drawers and Pan Drawers (500mm+ wide)
Use a 128mm or 160mm hole centre handle. Wide drawers with a small handle look unbalanced and can feel awkward to open.
Cabinet Doors
For wall-mounted cabinet doors, a 96mm handle is the standard choice. For tall larder doors or large pantry cabinets, consider 128mm or 160mm for a more proportionate look.
Dresser and Furniture Drawers
Furniture drawers vary widely in size. Measure the drawer width and aim for a handle that spans roughly one third of the width. For narrow jewellery box drawers, a single knob may be more appropriate than a bar handle.
What If I'm Drilling New Holes?
If you're fitting handles to new cabinets or changing the hole spacing, you have full flexibility to choose any size. In this case:
- Choose the hole centre distance that looks most proportionate to your drawer size
- Use a handle jig or template to ensure consistent hole placement across all cabinets
- Mark hole positions with a pencil before drilling
- Use a 5mm drill bit for standard M4 screws (included with FocusHardware handles)
Single Hole Knobs vs Bar Handles: Which to Measure?
If you're using cabinet knobs (single-hole hardware), there's no hole spacing to worry about — just one central screw hole. The key measurement for knobs is the diameter (typically 25–40mm) and the projection (how far the knob sticks out from the surface).
For bar handles, always measure the hole centre distance as described above.
Quick Reference: Handle Size Guide
| Hole Centre | Overall Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 96mm (3.75") | ~150mm (6") | Standard drawers, upper cabinet doors |
| 128mm (5") | ~180mm (7") | Wide drawers, large cabinet doors |
| 160mm (6.3") | ~220mm (8.6") | Pan drawers, tall larder doors, furniture |
Shop Solid Brass Cabinet Handles
All FocusHardware brass handles are available in 96mm, 128mm, and 160mm hole centre distances. Each handle comes with 25mm screws included — ready to install straight out of the box.
Browse our full range of solid brass cabinet handles and brass cabinet knobs to find the perfect fit for your project.
Use code WELCOME15 for 15% off your first order.