Door Types & Overlay Standards
Understanding door types and their overlay characteristics is essential for accurate sizing and professional results.
Last updated: 2026-02-27
Cabinet Door Calculator - Calculate Door Sizes & Dimensions
Free cabinet door calculator for perfect sizing. Calculate cabinet door sizes, overlay, inset, and frameless door dimensions. Determine hinge placement, gap spacing, and material requirements. Perfect for kitchen cabinets and furniture. Get accurate door measurements every time!
Door Sizing Overlay Analysis Hinge Calculator Material Optimization
Cabinet Specifications
Door Type
Cabinet Opening
Door Specifications
Door Specifications
Enter cabinet specifications to calculate door dimensions, overlay requirements, and hardware specifications for your project.
Ensure proper door clearances and hinge specifications for safe operation. Verify weight capacity and mounting requirements. Follow manufacturer guidelines for hardware installation.
Calculations are reference guidelines. Adjust based on your specific hardware, material, and cabinet construction style.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1 Select Door Type Choose from 6 styles: Full Overlay, Partial Overlay, Inset, Raised Panel, Shaker, or Glass Panel.
- 2 Enter Cabinet Opening Input opening width, height, frame thickness, and number of doors (single to quad).
- 3 Set Door Specifications Enter door thickness and overlay amount. Standard door thickness is 3/4 inch.
- 4 Review Dimensions Get exact door width/height, overlay specs, hinge count, hinge placement, and gap calculations.
Pro Tip: For full overlay doors, add 1 inch to both width and height of the opening. For inset doors, subtract 1/8 inch from both dimensions. Always verify with test pieces before cutting final material.
| Door Type | Overlay | Gap | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Overlay (Frameless) | Covers entire side | 1/8" between doors | Modern/European kitchens |
| Partial Overlay (Face Frame) | 3/8"-1/2" overlay | 3/4" frame visible | Traditional kitchens |
| Inset (Traditional) | Inside frame | 1/16" gap all around | Fine furniture, Shaker style |
| Raised Panel | Varies by style | Per overlay type | Traditional/classic elegance |
| Shaker Style | Varies by style | Per overlay type | Clean, minimalist design |
| Glass Panel | Varies by style | Per overlay type | Display cabinets, upper cabs |
Overlay amounts and gaps vary by manufacturer and construction method. Always verify with hardware specifications.
Quick Sizing Formulas
Door Sizing by Type
Door Width = Opening Width + (2 × Overlay) - Gap Sizing Quick Reference
- Full Overlay: Opening + 1" width, Opening + 1" height
- Inset: Opening - 1/8" width, Opening - 1/8" height
- Clearance: 1/8" between doors, 1/16" for inset
- Double Doors: Each door = (Opening + Overlay) ÷ 2 - Gap/2
Hinge Requirements & Placement
Hinge Count by Door Height
| Door Height | Hinges | Weight Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 24" | 2 | Light | Standard doors |
| 24"-36" | 3 | Medium | Most kitchen cabinets |
| 36"-48" | 4 | Heavy | Tall cabinets, pantry |
| Over 48" | 5+ | Extra Heavy | Full-height pantry |
Add extra hinge for solid wood doors or heavy materials. Use soft-close hinges for quality installations.
Euro Hinge Quick Specs
- Bore: 35mm cup hole, 3mm from edge
- Opening: 110° standard, 165° wide-angle, 270° specialty
- Soft-Close: Available in all overlay types, highly recommended
- Spacing: Top hinge 3-4" from top, bottom 3-4" from bottom
Glossary of Terms
Door completely covers the cabinet frame face, creating a seamless appearance. Standard in modern European-style kitchens. Each door overlaps the frame by 1/2 inch on each side.
Door covers part of the frame, leaving a visible portion (typically 1/4 to 1/2 inch). Standard in traditional face-frame cabinetry.
Door sits inside the cabinet frame with a 1/16 inch reveal on all sides. Requires precise fitting. Most associated with Shaker and fine furniture styles.
A frame of solid wood attached to the front of the cabinet box. Provides mounting for hinges and structural rigidity. Standard width: 1.5 inches.
The visible gap between door and frame (inset) or between adjacent doors (overlay). Standard inset reveal: 1/16 inch. Standard overlay gap: 1/8 inch.
Concealed cup hinge (35mm bore) used in modern cabinetry. Features adjustable mounting, soft-close options, and various overlay specifications. Most common cabinet hinge type.
The distance a door extends past the cabinet opening onto the frame. Full overlay: 1/2 inch+ per side. Half overlay: 1/4 inch per side. Measured from edge of opening.
A door style with a flat center panel and square-edged rails and stiles. Simple, timeless design. Can be full overlay, partial overlay, or inset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between full and partial overlay doors?
Full overlay doors completely cover the cabinet frame face, creating a seamless appearance. Partial overlay doors leave a portion of the frame visible around the edges, typically 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Full overlay is more common in modern kitchens.
How do I calculate door size for inset cabinets?
For inset doors, subtract 1/8" from both width and height of the cabinet opening to allow for proper clearance. This creates a 1/16" reveal on all sides, which is standard for quality cabinetry.
How many hinges do I need for cabinet doors?
Standard doors up to 24" tall need 2 hinges. Doors 24-36" tall need 3 hinges. Doors over 36" or very heavy doors need 4 hinges. Use quality hinges rated for the door weight and consider soft-close mechanisms.
What clearance is needed between double doors?
Maintain 1/8" gap between double doors to prevent binding and allow for wood movement. For overlay doors, this gap is created by proper sizing. For inset doors, include this in your reveal calculations.
How thick should cabinet doors be?
Standard cabinet doors are 3/4" (19mm) thick. This provides adequate strength and works with most hinges. Thinner doors (5/8") can be used for lighter applications, while thicker doors (7/8" or 1") are used for heavy-duty or decorative applications.
Can I retrofit existing cabinets with new doors?
Yes, cabinet refacing is common. Measure existing openings carefully and choose appropriate door style. You may need to adjust hinges or modify frames depending on the new door type and overlay specifications.