Gas Strut Dimensions & Hole Pattern: Technical Checklist for the Perfect Replacement

February 28, 2026

A gas strut in furniture construction uses compressed nitrogen gas to open cabinet flaps upwards in a controlled manner and hold them securely in the open position.

When a furniture flap no longer stays open on its own or drops unhindered when closing, the installed strut has lost its internal pressure. A replacement is unavoidable. For fitters and experienced DIY enthusiasts, the task is to identify the exact matching replacement. An incorrect strut will either prevent the flap from closing (too much force) or cause it to slam shut again (too little force). This guide provides the technical criteria to determine the correct component based on dimensions, force ratings, and fixing methods.

The Most Important Buying Criteria for Gas Struts

When replacing or planning new Gas Struts for furniture flaps, three technical parameters are decisive: the spring force, the installation length, and the fixing hole pattern.

1. Spring Force in Newtons (N)

The lifting force of a gas spring is always specified in Newtons (N). This rating is usually printed on the cylinder of the old strut (for example "200 N" or "350 N"). Ten Newtons roughly correspond to a load capacity of one kilogramme. The force must be precisely matched to the weight and leverage of the flap.

If the print on the old component is illegible, the flap weight must be determined. To do this, remove the front and weigh it. Alternatively, calculate the weight via the volume and density of the material (e.g. MDF at approx. 750 kg/m³, chipboard at approx. 650 kg/m³). Rule of thumb for the calculation with two struts installed per flap: (flap weight in kg x 10) / 2 = required force per strut in N. For very high or deep flaps, the centre of gravity shifts, which requires a higher force class.

2. Installation Length and Stroke

The dimensions of the strut determine the opening angle of the flap, which is usually 75°, 90°, or 110°. Two length measurements are relevant here:

Installation length: The distance from the centre of the front mounting eyelet to the centre of the rear eyelet when fully extended. Common standard dimensions in kitchen construction are often 245 mm or 268 mm.
Stroke: The distance the piston rod can retract into the cylinder. The stroke defines the maximum travel path of the flap.

A replacement strut must match the original installation length to within a few millimetres; otherwise, the existing screw-on points in the carcase can no longer be used or the flap will be under tension when closed.

3. Hole Pattern and Mounting Brackets

The connection between the strut, carcase, and front is made via mounting plates, onto which the strut head is usually clipped.

Carcase fixing: Elongated screw-on plates are often used here. The hole spacing of the drillings frequently follows System 32 (hole spacing 32 mm), matching the standardised hole lines in cabinet sides.
Front fixing: For wooden fronts or aluminium frames, round or oval plates with three to four screw holes are typically used.

Suitable fixings are chipboard screws (diameter 3.5 mm or 4 mm, drive PZ or TX). For new installations without an existing hole line, the hole pattern must be marked precisely according to the manufacturer's enclosed drilling template.

Types and Options at a Glance

Depending on the area of application and the visual requirements of the furniture piece, strut designs vary.

Standard struts (50 N - 150 N): Designed for lightweight fronts, typically wall cabinets in kitchens or small bathroom cabinets.
Heavy-duty struts (200 N - 500 N): For large-format fronts made of solid wood, thick MDF boards, or flaps with integrated glass inserts. Here, the use of Gas Struts for Heavy Flaps is mandatory, as standard models cannot withstand the lever moment.
Colour variants: In the visible interior of cabinets, the appearance of the fittings plays a role. To match the carcase decor, choose Gas Struts Silver for technical designs, Gas Struts Black for dark wood decors, or Gas Struts White for classic kitchen cabinets.

Important technical distinction: A gas strut is an opening and holding mechanism. It must not be confused with a furniture damper (soft-close cylinder), whose sole function is to brake the impact of a closing door or drawer.

Which Strut for Which Application? (Decision Guide)

The selection of the correct fitting follows strict mechanical specifications. Use the following guide values for orientation when sourcing replacement parts:

If the flap is small (e.g. 60 cm width, 30 cm height) and made of lightweight melamine-coated chipboard, then select models between 50 N and 80 N.
If it is a standard microwave flap or a classic kitchen wall cabinet (e.g. 80 cm width, 40 cm height), then choose 100 N to 150 N.
If the front is very large (e.g. over 90 cm width) or made of heavy material such as glass or solid wood, then versions from 200 N to 350 N are required.
If the flap is extremely heavy or requires a special movement path (e.g. bi-fold flap, lift-up flap), then a simple cylinder is often not sufficient. In this case, complex Flap Stays or multi-part Flap Fittings with integrated spring packs are used.

Installation Note: Mounting the Gas Spring Correctly

The mechanism basically works like an oversized air pump, with internal pressure precisely matched to the weight of the front. To ensure that the end-position damping functions correctly when opening, the installation orientation is crucial.

Required Tools:

Cordless screwdriver or manual screwdriver (matching the screw drive)
Folding rule / tape measure
Bradawl or wood drill bit (2 mm for pre-drilling)
Slotted screwdriver (to release the old securing clips)

Installation Steps:

Removal: Using the slotted screwdriver, gently lever the small metal securing clip on the head of the old strut. The head can now be pulled off the ball stud of the mounting plate.
Checking the bracket: Check whether the old screw-on plates are firmly seated in the wood. If the drill holes are stripped, they must be repaired with wooden dowels or relocated.
Orientation: Fit the new strut so that the thick cylinder points upwards and the thin piston rod points downwards when the flap is closed. This ensures that the internal oil lubricates the seals and that the end-position damping engages smoothly upon opening.
Engagement: Press the ball sockets of the new strut onto the ball studs of the mounting plates until they audibly click into place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I calculate the required force in Newtons for my flap? The force is calculated from the weight of the front. Weigh the flap. Multiply the weight in kilogrammes by 10 to obtain the rough Newton value. When using two struts per flap, divide this value by two. A 4 kg flap therefore requires approx. 40 N in total, meaning two struts with at least 20 N each (in practice, 2x 50 N is usually chosen as the smallest standard value to compensate for the lever travel).

Can I install a stronger strut so that the flap holds better? No, that is a technical error. If the spring force (e.g. 350 N) is dimensioned too high for a lightweight flap, the furniture piece can barely be closed. Furthermore, massive pressure is exerted on the hinges in the top panel, which can cause the concealed hinges or fixing screws to tear out of the chipboard.

How do I measure the installation length correctly? Measure the strut exclusively in its fully extended state. The measurement is taken from the exact centre of the front ball head to the centre of the rear ball head. The length of the cylinder alone is irrelevant for ordering.

Are mounting plates from different manufacturers compatible? In most cases yes, provided the ball diameter of the stud is identical (often 10 mm). Nevertheless, during a complete replacement, it is recommended to use the supplied mounting plates of the new strut to guarantee play-free engagement. The hole pattern for the screws on the carcase usually corresponds to the established System 32.

Why does my flap still fall shut despite a new strut? This happens if the angle of the mounting plates was not maintained precisely or if the selected Newton rating is too low. Check the dimensions on the drilling template. If the strut sits too close to the pivot point of the hinges, it loses holding force due to unfavourable leverage.

Suitable Categories for Your Project

To professionally complete the installation of your furniture flaps or find replacement parts for repairs, browse directly to the relevant hardware categories: