Ever stared at a door and thought, “Where do these hinges actually go?” You’re not alone. Hinge placement is one of those details that can feel confusing until you see it laid out clearly. The good news is that there’s a straightforward process for getting it right every time—whether you’re hanging a brand-new slab door or replacing an old one.
Most commercial doors follow consistent hinge spacing. Knowing these standards saves you time and prevents costly mistakes. The distances below are measured from the top of the door to the top edge of each hinge:
Most doors use three hinges, but heavier doors (like solid core or commercial doors) sometimes require a fourth hinge for extra support.
One of the best tricks for perfect consistency is using a story stick (basically a scrap piece of wood marked with hinge locations). Instead of measuring each door from scratch, you line up the stick with the top of the door and transfer the marks. This ensures your hinge locations are identical across multiple doors—no math required.
If you’re replacing a door and need the hinges to line up with the existing frame, here’s the easiest way:
This method guarantees the hinge positions will match your frame perfectly, without pulling out a tape measure.
Before you start chiseling or routing the hinge mortises, take a minute to confirm:
Taking this step avoids a lot of frustration later when you test the swing of the door.
Determining hinge locations doesn’t have to be complicated. By following standard measurements, using a story stick, or transferring from an old door, you can get accurate results every time. Once you’ve done it once or twice, it becomes second nature—and you’ll never second-guess hinge placement again.
