35 mm Concealed Hinge Drilling Pattern: System 32, Hole Spacing & Compatibility
A concealed hinge with a 35 mm drilling pattern is the industry-wide standard for cabinet doors, with its mounting plate engineered precisely to the System 32 grid.
Anyone building, repairing, or replacing cupboard doors in cabinet making will inevitably work with concealed hinges. Selecting the correct fitting requires precise knowledge of dimensions, hole spacings, and the geometric specifications of the carcass. Incorrect measurements inevitably lead to clashing doors or uneven reveal gaps. This guide provides the technical specifications and criteria needed to determine the exact hinge required for your cabinetry project.
Key Purchasing Criteria for the 35 mm Drilling Pattern
To ensure full compatibility between the door, carcass, and fitting, several technical parameters must match precisely.
Cup Diameter
The standard for nearly all modern kitchen cabinets and wardrobes is the cup hole with a diameter of 35 mm. This size offers ample space for the integrated mechanism and ensures high load-bearing capacity for the door. For lighter, smaller doors (such as in bathroom furniture), a smaller 26 mm variant exists, though it is used less frequently. When planning anew or replacing parts, professionals generally select 35 mm concealed hinges.
Drilling Pattern and Hole Spacing
The drilling pattern defines the position of the fixing screws on the hinge cup. It acts as the genetic fingerprint of the fitting: if the spacing does not match the pre-drilled holes in the door precisely, the hinge cannot be secured cleanly. The most common drilling patterns (distance between screw holes / distance of the holes to the cup centre) are:
- 45 / 9.5 mm: Frequently found on Blum fittings.
- 48 / 6 mm: The standard for Salice.
- 52 / 5.5 mm: Typical for Hettich systems.
Cup Distance (C Dimension)
The C dimension denotes the distance between the edge of the cup hole and the outer edge of the cabinet door. Depending on the manufacturer and desired reveal gap, this value usually lies between 3 mm and 7 mm. The C dimension significantly influences how far the door overlays the carcass.
Hinge Overlay Types: Door Position Relative to the Carcass
The geometry of the hinge arm determines how the door sits against the carcass side when closed. A strict distinction is made between three types:
1. Full Overlay (Corner Overlay)
With a full overlay, the door covers almost the entire front edge of the carcass side panel. On standard 19 mm thick chipboard, only a minimal gap remains at the outer edge to prevent the door binding when opened. The hinge arm on this variant is straight (uncranked). Corresponding full overlay concealed hinges are the standard solution for freestanding single cabinets or the outer doors of a cabinet run.
2. Half Overlay (Twin Overlay / Dual Application)
When two doors share a single central carcass partition (for instance in a continuous wardrobe), a half overlay hinge is used. The door overlays only half the thickness of the centre panel (approx. 7 mm - 9 mm), leaving space on the remaining surface for the adjacent door. The hinge arm features a visible crank. Half overlay concealed hinges are required for this type of construction.
3. Inset (Embedded)
With an inset door, the door does not sit over the carcass edge; instead, it sits flush between the carcass sides. The front edges of the cabinet panels remain fully visible when the door is closed. The hinge arm is deeply cranked. This visually flush variant requires inset concealed hinges, also referred to as concealed hinges for inset doors.
Opening Angles and Kinematic Properties
The opening angle defines the maximum radius through which the cabinet door swings open. The right choice depends heavily on the surrounding room layout and the internal fittings of the cupboard.
- 110° (The Standard): For standard kitchen and living room cabinets, 110 degree concealed hinges / cabinet hinges are the norm. They provide convenient access to internal shelves.
- 155° to 165° (Wide Angle): If internal drawers or pull-outs are fitted inside the cabinet, the door must swing completely clear of the internal carcass opening. Zero-protrusion hinges or 165 degree concealed hinges / cabinet hinges are used for this purpose.
- Special Angles: For corner units, angled ceilings, or bespoke carcass constructions, angled solutions exist, such as 90 degree concealed hinges / cabinet hinges.
Soft-Close vs Push-to-Open
Modern fittings feature integrated soft-close damping within the hinge arm or cup. Soft-close technology gently decelerates the door over the final centimetres and pulls it shut silently. Soft-close concealed hinges / cabinet hinges with damping are the modern benchmark in furniture making. Important: soft-close damping must not be confused with push-to-open (tip-on) mechanisms. Push-to-open systems require sprung-free hinges (without a catch spring) so the door can be pushed open by the mechanical plunger pin. A damped soft-close hinge would work against the push-to-open mechanism.
Which Hinge for Which Application? (Decision Guide)
- If you are replacing a standard kitchen cupboard door that overlays the side panel, then you need a full overlay hinge with a 110° opening angle and a 35 mm cup diameter.
- If you are planning a wardrobe where two doors share a central partition, then a half overlay hinge (cranked arm) is strictly required.
- If internal drawers are fitted that must not foul against the open door when pulled out, then choose a 155° or 165° wide-angle zero-protrusion hinge.
- If you wish to create handleless frontages, then select unsprung hinges combined with a separate push-to-open catch.
Installation Guide: Mounting via System 32
The hinge mounting plate is fixed inside the carcass. In professional cabinet making, this is carried out strictly according to System 32.
Required Tools:
- 35 mm Forstner bit (for the hinge cup)
- 5 mm wood drill bit (for Euro screws on the mounting plate)
- Cordless drill/driver
- Set square and folding rule or tape measure
Installation Steps:
- Drill the cup hole: Using the Forstner bit, drill a blind hole (Ø 35 mm) on the inside face of the door. The depth is typically 11.5 mm to 12 mm. The C dimension (distance to the door edge) is usually 4 mm to 5 mm.
- Fit the mounting plate: Screw the cruciform mounting plate into the carcass. Under System 32, the first vertical line of holes sits exactly 37 mm back from the front carcass edge. The vertical distance between the drilled holes is 32 mm.
- Clip on and adjust: On modern clip-on hinges, the hinge arm snaps onto the mounting plate without tools. 3D adjustment is then carried out using the adjustment screws on the hinge arm: height, lateral position (reveal gap), and depth (distance from the carcass).
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About 35 mm Concealed Hinges
Why is 35 mm the standard size for concealed hinges? A 35 mm diameter offers the optimal balance between mechanical strength, sufficient door material thickness, and enough internal volume to house soft-close damping systems within the hinge cup.
Can I swap a hinge with a 45 mm drilling pattern for one with a 52 mm pattern? The 35 mm cup will fit into the main hole in both cases. However, the side screw holes will not align. You will need to plug the old screw holes and drill new pilot holes to prevent the chipboard from tearing out.
How do I know whether I need a full overlay or half overlay hinge? Measure the door overlap when the cupboard is closed. If the door covers the side panel almost entirely (approx. 15 mm - 17 mm), it is a full overlay. If it covers only half the panel edge (approx. 7 mm - 9 mm), it is a half overlay.
Are all 35 mm hinges compatible with my existing mounting plate? No. Although the cup diameter is standard, the geometry of the hinge arm and the clip mechanism vary between manufacturers (e.g. Blum, Hettich, Salice). The hinge and mounting plate must always come from the same product system.
What does the code "TH 52" mean? This designation refers to a specific drilling pattern. The T stands for cup hinge (Topfband), the H often indicates the manufacturer (e.g. Hettich), and 52 denotes the 52 mm hole spacing between the fixing screws on the cup.
Suitable Product Categories for Your Project
To find the correct fitting for your specific installation setup, browse directly to the corresponding hardware types. For a complete overview of all options, explore the main concealed hinges / cabinet hinges collection.