Woodshop Cabinet Door Calculator
Get exact cabinet door width, height, and the number of hinges to order — for full, half, partial, or inset doors, single or pairs, face-frame or frameless.
Quick Answer
To size a cabinet door, add the overlay to each side of the opening: width = opening width + (2 x overlay), height = opening height + (2 x overlay). Inset doors subtract a small reveal instead. Pairs subtract the center gap and split the width. Tall doors need more hinges.
Cabinet Door Calculator
Enter the opening size, pick the overlay style, and the calculator gives door dimensions and the hinges to order.
How to Use This Calculator
Cabinet Door Formula
Door height = opening height + (2 x overlay)
Total width = opening width + (2 x overlay)
Each door (pair) = (total width − center gap) / 2
(Inset uses a negative reveal instead of overlay.)
Overlay & Hinge Reference
| Door style | Per side | How to size |
|---|---|---|
| Full overlay | ~1/2 in | Add 1/2 in each side |
| Half overlay | ~3/8 in | Add 3/8 in each side |
| Partial overlay | ~1/4 in | Add 1/4 in each side |
| Inset | 1/16 in reveal | Subtract reveal each side |
| Door height | Hinges needed |
|---|---|
| Up to 40 in | 2 |
| 40–60 in | 3 |
| 60–80 in | 4 |
| Over 80 in | 5 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Measuring the outside of the frame instead of the opening.
- Using the wrong overlay for your hinge type.
- Forgetting the center gap on paired doors.
- Under-hinging tall or heavy doors, causing sag.
When the Estimate May Be Wrong
Hinge brand and cup position, face-frame vs frameless construction, desired reveals, door weight, and wood movement all affect the final fit. Confirm the overlay and hinge count your specific hardware requires, and always test-fit one door before batching a whole kitchen.
Cabinet Door Calculator FAQs
How do you calculate cabinet door size?
Add the overlay to each side of the opening: door width = opening width + (2 x overlay), door height = opening height + (2 x overlay). For an inset door, subtract a small reveal from each side instead. For a pair, subtract the center gap and split the width.
What is the difference between full, half, partial, and inset overlay?
Full overlay (~1/2 in per side) nearly covers the frame and is common on frameless cabinets. Half (~3/8 in) and partial (~1/4 in) leave more frame showing. Inset doors sit flush inside the opening with a small reveal (~1/16 in) rather than overlaying the frame.
How many hinges does a cabinet door need?
Use two hinges up to about 40 inches tall, three up to 60 inches, four up to 80 inches, and five beyond that. Heavier doors and thick solid wood may need one more than the minimum. The calculator shows hinges per door and the total to order.
How much gap between double cabinet doors?
A center gap of about 1/8 inch (0.125 in) is standard between a pair of doors so they open and close without rubbing. Inset pairs often use a slightly smaller reveal for a tight, furniture-grade look.
Do frameless and face-frame cabinets size doors the same way?
The math is the same, but hinge type differs: frameless (Euro) cabinets almost always use full overlay measured from the box edge, while face-frame cabinets can be full, half, partial, or inset. Set the overlay to match your hinges before cutting.
Sources and Methodology
This is an original Woodworking Advisor calculator guide using standard cabinetmaking overlay math and hinge-count guidelines with clear limitations.
- Door size = opening + 2 x overlay (or minus reveal for inset); pairs split the total width minus the center gap.
- Hinge counts follow common industry guidance (2 up to 40 in, 3 to 60 in, 4 to 80 in, 5 beyond).
- Always test-fit; hinge tolerances and wood movement mean real fit can vary.
