Measuring Door Handle Backset

The backset is space between your bore hole and the door s edge.

Measuring door handle backset.

The backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the spindle mechanism on the latch. The backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the 2 1 8 inch bore hole. Note this measurement on a notepad or post it note. Ideally the backset will be as close as possible to half the width of the stile.

Standard backsets are either a 2 3 8 backset or 2 3 4 backset. When measured to the spindle mechanism the backset then they translate as 44mm for the 65mm case and 57mm for the 76mm case. Whether you have lever on rose door handles or lever on backplate your interior door handles can house any latch how to measure your latch when buying a tubular mortice latch for your door handle. 2 3 8 inches and 2 3 4 inches.

To determine the backset on your door measure the distance from the outer edge of the door to the center or highest point of the bore hole. Usually for a 63mm case measurement it will have a 44mm backset and for a 76mm case measurement will have a 65mm backset. Other backsets include 2 used by national and lori lock and 5 used by weiser weslock kwikset and others. These days however most everything uses the standard 2 3 8 or 2 3 4 backset.

Divide this by two 2 choose the backset that is closest to this number. In the united states there are two common backsets for residential door locks. Stile 96mm therefore. If you dont have any hardware on your door just measure from the edge of the door to the center of the bore hole the large hole where the door knob assembly is mounted.

Typically this is either 2 3 8 or 2 inches. Two standard backsets are 2 3 8 and 2 3 4. Whilst there is no keyhole to consider on a mortice latch you still need to consider the backset of the follower for the handles or knobs you have on the door. The backset of the lock or latch you select will determine how far from the edge of the door your handles will be positioned.

Pack your locks with a 2 3 8 inch or 2 3 4 inch latch depending on which backset you specify. To avoid chafing or having to drill new holes in your door make sure you measure accurately the distance from the front face of the latch to the centre of the square hole for the spindle. Back in the day a 5 inch backset was pretty commonly used. Place your measuring tape on the center of the hole and pull it till you hit the door s edge.

Two standard backsets are 2 3 8 and 2 3 4. The backset measurement is also an important thing to consider when choosing latches and door knobs or handles. No worries if you have an older door with 5 inch backset we can help you out. Measure the stile see image below.

The most common backset is 2 3 8 but 2 3 4 is also quite common usually used on exterior doors. Backset the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the lock bore.