Hinge Cranking Explained: Full Overlay, Half Overlay and Inset Applications Defined

January 15, 2026

Cranking refers to the bend or offset in the hinge arm of a concealed cup hinge. It determines the mounting application of the furniture door relative to the cabinet side. A straight hinge arm creates a full overlay, a medium bend creates a half overlay for twin doors, and a pronounced bend results in an inset door that sits flush inside the carcass.

What exactly is hinge cranking?

In standard concealed cup hinges / cabinet hinges, the hinge arm connects the hinge cup recessed into the door with the cruciform mounting plate on the carcass wall. The geometric shape of this arm is referred to as the cranking.

Much like the bent elbow of an arm, the cranking determines how far the door overlays the front cabinet edge. By varying this bend, furniture makers can achieve different cabinet constructions using the exact same door drilling without necessarily having to alter the position of the mounting plate.

The three application types and their cranking

Choosing the correct hinge depends directly on the construction of the cabinet. In furniture assembly, three standard application types are distinguished.

Full Overlay (Straight Arm)

In a full overlay setup, the closed furniture door completely covers the front face of the carcass wall. Viewed from the front, the edge of the cabinet side is not visible. This construction requires a hinge with a straight hinge arm. The cranking here is 0 mm. This variant is the standard for standalone individual cabinets or the outer doors of a run of units. Matching fittings: Concealed hinges full overlay

Half Overlay (Dual Mounting / Cranked Arm)

A half overlay is used when two doors are mounted to a single, central partition wall (so-called twin doors). Because both doors share the front edge of the centre panel (usually 16 mm or 19 mm thick), each door can only overlay half of it. For this purpose, the hinge features a medium bend, typically around 9.5 mm. Matching fittings: Concealed hinges half overlay

Inset (Flusht Mounted / Deep Cranked Arm)

With an inset application, the door does not sit over the carcass wall; instead, it closes between the side panels. When closed, the door front sits flush with the front edge of the cabinet carcass. To move the pivot point sufficiently inwards, the hinge requires a pronounced bend. The cranking on these models is typically around 16 mm. Matching fittings: Concealed hinges inset

Dimensions, standards, and typical values

The bend of the hinge influences the kinematics of the door, yet it works hand in hand with other standardised dimensions in furniture manufacturing:

Cup diameter: The standard value for the hole drilled into the furniture door is 35 mm. Such concealed hinges 35 mm carry the weight of most standard doors made from chipboard or MDF.
Opening angle: The cranking does not necessarily dictate the opening angle. A standard full overlay hinge usually opens to 110°. Corresponding concealed hinges / cabinet hinges 110 degrees are the norm for kitchen and wardrobe units.
Reveal / Gap pattern: For all mounting types, a gap dimension (the reveal) must be calculated so that the door does not bind or rub against the side panel or adjacent door when opening.

Application and adjustment

For accurate installation and alignment, modern cup hinges feature adjustment screws on the hinge arm. Regardless of the cranking, the doors can be adjusted three-dimensionally:

Height adjustment: Via the slotted holes on the mounting plate (usually +/- 2 mm).
Depth adjustment: Regulates the gap between the door and the carcass.
Lateral adjustment: Adjusts the door reveal width.

For silent closure, hinges across all three application types are nowadays typically equipped with an integrated hydraulic damper. These concealed hinges / cabinet hinges with damping (Soft Close) gently decelerate the door over the final centimetres.