Full Overlay vs. Half Overlay vs. Inset — Concealed Hinges Compared

June 2, 2026

The difference between full overlay, half overlay, and inset configurations defines how a cabinet door is positioned relative to the carcass when closed.

When constructing cabinet carcasses and door fronts, choosing the correct hinge is one of the most critical technical decisions. A concealed hinge often looks identical at first glance, but the geometry of the hinge arm determines whether a door rests on the side panel, shares it with another door, or sits completely inside the carcass.

Achieving precise gap dimensions and smooth kinematics in cabinet making requires understanding the three fundamental mounting types. In this technical comparison, we break down the differences.

Introduction: When is the mounting type critical?

As soon as you attach a door to a piece of furniture, you need concealed hinges / cabinet hinges. The decision regarding the correct mounting type is made during the planning stage. It depends entirely on how the door should sit in relation to the side panel (carcass side).

The mounting type affects not only the appearance of the front, but also the calculation of the door width. When repairing a damaged door or replacing a concealed hinge, you must accurately identify the mounting type, as the hinges are not interchangeable.

What is a full overlay hinge?

The full overlay is the most common construction method in standard cabinet making. In this setup, the door covers almost the entire front edge of the carcass side panel when closed. The hinge arm in this design is straight and features no crank.

When viewing the cabinet from the front, the side panel is not visible because it is concealed by the door. Only a minimal gap—known as the reveal—remains free so that the door does not scrape against an adjacent wall or door when opening. With a standard side panel thickness of 19 mm, the door typically overlays approximately 17 mm to 18 mm.

For this construction, full overlay concealed hinges are used. They are typically installed on the outer edges of a cabinet unit. A standard opening angle for these doors is often 110°, for which concealed hinges / cabinet hinges 110 degrees are used.

What is a half overlay hinge?

The half overlay comes into play when two doors are mounted to a single central partition panel of the carcass. This is often referred to as a twin door application.

Because both doors must share the front edge of a single wooden panel (e.g. 16 mm or 19 mm thick), each door can only overlay half of it. The hinge arm on these hinges is slightly curved—known technically as a crank. This bend of around 9.5 mm ensures that the door closes with an inward offset.

When using half overlay concealed hinges, a small central gap remains between the two closed doors, which is essential for smooth opening.

What is an inset hinge?

With an inset mounting, the door does not rest over the front edge, but closes flush with it. When closed, the door sits completely inside the carcass. The front edges of the side panels, bottom panel, and top panel remain fully visible from the front. This construction acts like a picture frame enclosing the door.

To achieve this position, the hinge arm features a very pronounced crank of typically 16 mm to 18 mm. Inset concealed hinges require very precise calculation of door width and height, as an even gap must be planned all around to prevent the door from jamming inside the carcass.

This design is frequently chosen for aesthetic reasons, for example on a modern chest of drawers where the carcass frame is highlighted as a design feature. Suitable fittings can be found among concealed hinges for inset doors.

The differences at a glance

To identify the correct hinge for your project, the three types can be distinguished by the arm shape and the visibility of the carcass side:

Full Overlay:
Hinge arm: Straight (no crank).
Door position: Overlays the carcass side panel.
Carcass side visibility: Completely covered.
Application: Outer ends of cabinets.
Half Overlay:
Hinge arm: Slightly cranked (curved).
Door position: Overlays half of the central partition wall.
Carcass side visibility: Half covered (shares the edge with the adjacent door).
Application: Internal partition walls with continuous front runs.
Inset:
Hinge arm: Strongly cranked (pronounced curve).
Door position: Sits inside the carcass, flush with the front edge.
Carcass side visibility: Fully visible.
Application: Display cabinets, design furniture with a visible frame.

Important technical details for installation

Regardless of whether you choose full overlay, half overlay, or inset, the basic installation method remains the same.

The connection to the door is made via the hinge cup. Standard hinges require a drilling hole with a diameter of 35 mm. These concealed hinges 35 mm are drilled into the MDF or chipboard with a Forstner bit, usually to a depth of 11.5 mm to 13 mm. The drilling distance (distance from the door edge to the edge of the cup hole) typically ranges between 3 mm and 6 mm, affecting the reveal.

The connection to the carcass side is made using a cruciform mounting plate. This is usually screwed into place using the System 32 standard (hole spacing of 32 mm). Using the mounting plate and the adjustment screws on the hinge arm, the door can be adjusted in three dimensions (height, side, depth) after installation to achieve an even gap pattern.

For modern user convenience, hinges with integrated damping are used almost exclusively today. Concealed hinges / cabinet hinges with damping (Soft Close) cushion the momentum of the closing door and pull it shut silently over the last few centimetres.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use a full overlay hinge for an inset door?

No, this is mechanically impossible. The straight hinge arm of a full overlay hinge would press the door against the carcass side upon opening and bind immediately. For inset doors, the pronounced crank of an inset hinge is strictly necessary to swing the door past the carcass side panel.

Which opening angle should I choose?

For standard doors, an opening angle of 95° to 110° is completely sufficient. However, if there are internal drawer runners or pull-outs behind the door, the door must swing clear of the opening. In this case, wide-angle hinges are required, such as concealed hinges / cabinet hinges 165 degrees. These feature special articulation mechanisms that reduce door protrusion to zero (zero-protrusion hinge).

What does the term "crank" mean on a concealed hinge?

The crank describes the bend or offset in the hinge arm. A hinge with 0 mm crank is straight (full overlay). A crank of 9.5 mm represents a slight bend (half overlay), while 16 mm or more describes a pronounced bend (inset). The crank compensates for the position of the door relative to the mounting plate on the carcass.

How do I calculate the door width for an inset installation?

With an inset mounting, the door must be narrower than the internal carcass opening. Measure the clear internal width between the side panels and deduct the desired gap on both sides (typically 2 mm to 3 mm per side). For an internal width of 500 mm and a gap of 2 mm all around, the optimal door width is 496 mm.