How to Measure Cabinet Handles: A Simple Guide
Buying new cabinet handles is exciting — but getting the sizing wrong is a common and frustrating mistake. This guide explains everything you need to know about measuring cabinet handles so you order the right size first time.
The Key Measurement: Centre-to-Centre
For bar handles (handles with two fixing screws), the most important measurement is the centre-to-centre distance — the distance between the centres of the two screw holes. This is also called the “hole spacing” or “hole centres.”
If you’re replacing existing handles and want to use the existing holes, you need to match this measurement exactly. Measure from the centre of one screw hole to the centre of the other.
Common centre-to-centre measurements:
- 64mm — small drawers and cabinet doors
- 96mm — the most common size for medium drawers
- 128mm — medium to large drawers
- 160mm — large drawers
- 192mm, 224mm, 256mm — very large drawers and wide cabinet doors
All handles in our Sweet Pea Interiors range include the centre-to-centre measurement in the product description.
For Knobs: No Centre-to-Centre Needed
Knobs use a single central screw, so there’s no centre-to-centre measurement to worry about. The only sizing consideration for knobs is the diameter (how wide the knob is) and the projection (how far it sticks out from the surface).
If you’re replacing existing knobs, the new knob just needs to have a screw that fits the existing hole — most furniture knobs use a standard M4 or M6 thread.
What If I Want to Drill New Holes?
If you’re changing from knobs to bar handles (or vice versa), or if you want a different centre-to-centre measurement, you’ll need to drill new holes. This is straightforward with a drill and a simple paper template:
- Mark the desired position of the handle on the drawer front with a pencil
- Measure and mark the two hole positions at the correct centre-to-centre distance
- Use a sharp drill bit slightly larger than the screw diameter to drill the holes
- Fill the old holes with wood filler, allow to dry, sand smooth and repaint if needed
How Long Should the Handle Be?
The overall length of a bar handle is longer than the centre-to-centre measurement — the handle extends beyond the screw holes on each end. As a general guide:
- The handle should be roughly one-third to one-half the width of the drawer front
- On very wide drawers (600mm+), two knobs or a very long bar handle (256mm+) may look better than a single medium handle
- On cabinet doors, a single knob or short bar handle positioned in the upper corner is the most common approach
Choosing the Right Handle for Your Drawer Size
| Drawer Width | Recommended Handle |
|---|---|
| Under 300mm | Knob or 64mm bar handle |
| 300–450mm | 96mm bar handle |
| 450–600mm | 128mm bar handle |
| 600–800mm | 160–192mm bar handle |
| 800mm+ | 224–256mm bar handle or two knobs |
Shop Handles at Sweet Pea Interiors
All our handles include full sizing information including centre-to-centre measurements, overall length and projection. If you’re not sure which size is right for your piece, get in touch — we’re happy to help.
